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Battle of Lexington and Concord
General Thomas Gage sent British troops to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington. His troops then hurried to Concord to take the gunpowder at the fort. -
Second Continental Congress
Established Continental Army, created its own money, and declared independence from Britain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Though the British defeated the Americans at Breed's Hill, the battle showed Patriots that they could hold their own and boosted military morale. -
The Burning of Norfolk
Patriots burned down the Loyalist town of Norfolk, Virginia, including the British Naval ships that were docked int he harbor. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine published a pamphlet calling for the colonies' independence from Britain and a Republican form of government. It was a personal attack against King George III. -
Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was a document drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to rebel against "inadequate" government. -
Declaration of Independence
In writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people. -
Washington crosses the Deleware
The crossing of the Deleware by Washington was the first move in a surprise attack organized by George Washington against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey on the morning of December 26. -
Americans lose at Fort Ticonderoga
General St. Clair surrenders Fort Ticonderoga to General Burgoyne on July 5th after being attacked from high ground by 8,000 troops. -
Washington's Army leaves Valley Forge
Washington's army, after reaching the lowest point in the Revolutionary war, grows stronger under the influence of von Steuben and leaves Valley Forge a stronger army. -
Redcoats occupy Savannah
British Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell and his force of between 2500 and 3600 troops, which included the 71st Highland regiment, New York Loyalists, and Hessian mercenaries, launch a surprise attack on American forces defending Savannah, Georgia. -
Articles of Confederation is adopted
A document signed amongst the 13 original colonies that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris of 1783, negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, ended the revolutionary war and recognized American independence. -
Ratification of the Constitution
