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On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere set out on his famous midnight ride to warn colonists that British troops were marching toward Lexington and Concord. With help from William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, he spread the alarm through the countryside, alerting militias to prepare. Though Revere was captured before reaching Concord, Prescott made it through. By morning, colonial militia confronted the British, sparking the battles of Lexington and Concord—the start of the American Revolution.
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The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, marked the start of the American Revolution. British troops marched from Boston to seize colonial weapons, but local militia known as Minutemen confronted them. At Lexington, shots were fired. The British pushed on to Concord, where more fighting broke out. Colonists forced the British to retreat back to Boston under heavy fire. The outcome showed the colonies were ready to fight for independence.
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The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, during the early months of the American Revolution. Colonial forces fortified Breed’s Hill near Boston to challenge British control. British troops, led by General William Howe, launched repeated assaults. Though low on ammunition, the colonists held strong until forced to retreat. Over 1,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded, compared to about 400 colonists. The battle proved the colonists could stand against the British arm
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The Declaration of Independence was created in 1776 as the colonies sought freedom from Britain. A committee of five—Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston—was chosen to draft it, with Jefferson writing most of the text. The document explained why the colonies were breaking away, listing grievances against King George III and affirming natural rights. On July 4, Congress approved it, uniting the colonies and marking the birth of the United States.
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Thomas Paine wrote The American Crisis in 1776 when morale among American troops was low after defeats. Beginning with the famous line “These are the times that try men’s souls". The pamphlet urged perseverance and courage. Paine’s words inspired General George Washington and his soldiers, who had been discouraged and facing harsh winter conditions. Copies were read to the troops, lifting spirits. The outcome was renewed determination, helping sustain the Revolution through its darkest days.
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On December 25, 1776, General George Washington led 2,400 troops across the icy Delaware River in a surprise attack. Despite storms and delays, they marched to Trenton, New Jersey, where Hessian forces under Colonel Johann Rall were camped. The Americans surrounded the town, catching the enemy off guard. Nearly 900 Hessians were captured with minimal American losses. The victory boosted morale, encouraged reenlistments, and proved the Continental Army could fight and win.
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On December 26, 1776, after crossing the icy Delaware River, General George Washington led 2,400 Continental Army soldiers in a surprise attack on Trenton, New Jersey. The town was held by about 1,500 Hessian troops under Colonel Johann Rall. The Americans attacked from multiple directions, catching the Hessians off guard. Nearly 900 were captured, with few American losses. The victory boosted morale, inspired enlistments, and proved Washington’s leadership and the army’s resilience.
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In 1777, the Battles of Saratoga in New York were a turning point in the American Revolution. British General John Burgoyne led troops south from Canada, hoping to divide the colonies. American forces under General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold resisted, surrounding the British at Saratoga. After heavy fighting and mounting losses, Burgoyne surrendered nearly 6,000 men. The victory boosted American morale and convinced France to join the war as an ally.
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During the winter of 1777 and 1778, General George Washington’s Continental Army camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, facing extreme cold, hunger, and disease. About 12,000 soldiers endured harsh conditions with limited supplies, testing their endurance and morale. Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer, trained the troops, improving discipline and effectiveness. By spring, the army emerged stronger and better organized, ready to continue fighting the British.
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In 1781, the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia marked the last major battle of the American Revolution. General George Washington led the Continental Army, joined by French troops under General Rochambeau, against British forces commanded by General Cornwallis. The Americans and French laid siege, bombarding British defenses. Trapped and outnumbered, Cornwallis surrendered nearly 8,000 troops. The victory secured American independence and ended major fighting in the war.
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On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution. Representatives from the United States. John Jay, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin negotiated with Britain. The treaty recognized American independence, set borders from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River, and granted fishing rights off Newfoundland. Britain agreed to withdraw troops, and both sides promised to respect property and debts. The treaty secured U.S. sovereignty and peace.
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In 1777, British forces under General William Howe captured Philadelphia, the American capital, during the Revolutionary War. American troops, led by General George Washington, tried to defend the city but were outmaneuvered in battles at Brandywine and Germantown. The British occupied Philadelphia for several months, but the Continental Army remained intact and continued fighting. The occupation boosted British confidence but failed to crush American resistance, keeping the revolution alive.