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The Creation of the Declaration of Independence
Battle after battle, few colonists still desired complete independence from Great Britain. In March of 1776, North Carolina's revolutionary convention became the first to vote in favor of independence. On June 7, the Virginia delegate, Richard Henry Lee, called for the colonies’ independence before the Continental Congress when it met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Jefferson, Adams, Sherman, Franklin, and Livingston later created the Declaration of Independence. -
Paul Revere’s Ride
Not only is “Paul Revere’s Ride” a poem, but also a historical event. Paul Revere rode, horseback, to warn the Boston area that the British were coming. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These two battles kicked off the American Revolutionary War. On the night of April 18, 1775, British troops marched from Boston to Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Then, a confrontation on the Lexington town green started off the fighting, and soon the British were retreating under gun fire. -
The Battle of Bunker HIll
On June 17,1775, the British defeated the Americans in what was later called The Battle of Bunker Hill. This battle occurred in Massachusetts and was important because it gave the British a confidence boost. Although we call it The Battle of Bunker Hill, most of the actual fighting took place on Breed's Hill. -
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Thomas Paine's Writing of "The American Crisis"
Thomas Paine was born in England, was a political philosopher and writer, and also supported revolutionary causes in America. His first pamphlet, Common Sense, was the first to advocate American Independence. The American Crisis was a collection of essays where Paine shared his support for an independent and self- governing America through all of the challenges faced during the Revolutionary War. -
Crossing of the Delaware River
During the American Revolution Washington crossed the Delaware River with 5,400 of his troops. At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully crossed the icy, freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the Delaware. The other two divisions, made up of roughly 3,000 men and important artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the designated time. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries after winning two other crucial battles. One week later, Washington went back to Trenton to lure British soldiers out. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
The Winter at Valley Forge was not an ideal winter. Washington led his troops after denying to fight so they could rest and regain their strength. They were not able to do that though, and instead had to deal with frostbite and little to no food. Though they were in such an unfortunate place, those who stayed with Washington proved themselves. -
The Battle of Philadelphia
During the summer of 1777, the British planned to take over the colonial capitol of Philadelphia. British General Howe planned on attacking from the Chesapeake River, but Washington was ready. He set up defensive positions along the Brandywine River so the route between Baltimore and Philadelphia could stay guarded. That did not work and General Howe outsmarted Washington, and later gained control over the colonial capitol of Philadelphia. -
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The Battles of Saratoga
The two Battles of Saratoga were fought 18 days apart in the fall of 1777 and were a turning point in the American Revolution. These two battles gave the coup de grace to the 1777 British invasion from Canada during the American Revolutionary War. After capturing Fort Ticonderoga with ease, the British Army, led by General John Burgoyne, moved south, giving the Americans time to regroup. -
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Battle of Yorktown
General George Washington and 17,000 troops began the siege known as the Battle of Yorktown against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and 9,000 troops. By September 28, Washington completely circled -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is what ended the American Revolution. Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay talked with Great Britain about this peace treaty. In the Treaty of Paris, the British Crown recognized American Independence and ceded most of its territory east of the Mississippi River to the U.S. doubling their size as a new nation.
