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Second Continental Congress Meets
The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia after Lexington and Concord to discuss how the colonies would beat the British military and they agreed to make a Continental Army. They chose George Washington as the supreme commander. They approved the Olive Branch Petition which was a direct appeal to the king where they begged for peace and declared their loyalty to the British crown. Despite this, they still wound up declaring their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
At the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts, the British defeated the Americans but, despite the colonist's loss, they inflicted serious casualties on the British army and were provided with a confidence boost at the end of the battle. During the battle, about 1,000 colonists were under the control of Colonel William Prescott who told his men "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." The British were under the command of Major General William Howe and Robert Pigot. -
Olive Branch Petition Sent
The Olive Branch petition was drafted by John Dickinson and was made as an attempt to ensure the British that the colonies were still loyal to the British crown while also asserting their rights. King George did not like this. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5th, 1775. -
Common Sense Pamphlet is Published
Thomas Paine published the Common Sense Pamphlet January 10, 1776. It was originally published anonymously and it advocated independence for the American colonies. It played a large role in transforming the colonists talk and wants into the American Revolution. He wrote it in a style everyone could understand instead of formal writing. -
Declaration of Independence Drafted
On June 11, 1776 Congress appointed five men to draft a declaration of American independence. The 5 men assigned to this task were: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Delegates met in the summer of 1776 in Philadelphia where they came up with the idea to draft a declaration of independence. It was formally signed on July 4, 1776. -
Battle for New York
Also known as the Battle of Long Island/Brooklyn. It was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War to take place after America declared their independence on July 4th, 1776. British forces were led by General William Howe who hoped to capture New York and gain control of the Hudson River. Despite American efforts, they lost 1,000 men while the British only lost 400. On September 15, the British gained New York. -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place in Delaware where George Washington and his troops went against Hessian forces under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rall. The Hessian forces were unprepared for an American attack and Washington was able to divide his troops, letting him win the battle. This was a small but important battle in the American Revolution's history. -
Fight for Philadelphia - 1777 - 1778
The Fight for Philadelphia was a campaign made by the British during the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia which was the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress. After winning the Battle of Brandywine the British captured Philadelphia on September 26, 1777. -
Battle of Saratoga - Sep. 19, 1777 - Oct, 7 - 1777
The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the American Revolutionary War because on October 7, 1777 Hessian and British forces surrendered to the American troops. This battle gave France the confidence to enter the war as an American ally. -
Valley Forge - Dec. 9, 1777 - Jun 19, 1778
Valley Forge was a military camp near Philadelphia where the American Continental Army stayed. George Washington had led his troops here after his army was on the brink of collapsing. It was a sign of the end of the American Revolution but Washington did not give up. The Congress gave up on him and picked someone else while he was staying in Forge but in 1778 he led his troops out to face the British once again. -
Battle of Yorktown - Sep. 18, 1781 - Oct. 19, 1781
It is considered the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War. Here the Continental Army won against the British. The significance of this battle was that the British General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington and French and American troops. His surrender ended the American Revolutionary War. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 was negotiated between the US and Great Britain and it ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized American independence. The Continental Congress named 5 people to negotiate the treaty - John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens.
