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Minutemen and redcoats clash at Lexington and Concord, in what becomes known as "the shot heard 'round the world" and marks the beginning of the war.
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The second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia.
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George Washington is named the Commander in Chief of the Patriots.
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The British drive the Americans from Breed's Hill.
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American forces under Benedict Arnold fail to seize Quebec
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Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense."
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Proclaimed the inherent rights of men, including the right to rebel against "inadequate" government.
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Defined and limited the powers of the state government and the basic rights of the citizens of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Written by Thomas Jefferson, declaring their independence from Britain.
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Redcoats defeat George Washington's army at Long Island, however, they escape at night.
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Washington crosses the Delaware and captures Trenton from the Hessians.
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Trains American troops at Valley Forge to become a professional military force.
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The Second Continental decided on how the American flag should look.
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Lafayette arrives in Philadelphia to help command the British troops.
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Burgoyne surrenders to General Gates at Saratoga.
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Washington's army retires to winter quarters at Valley Forge untill June 19, 1778.
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France and the U.S. sign the French Alliance, where the French agree to help the patriots to fight the British in exchange for ownership of the West Indies.
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British General Wiliam Howe is replaced by Henry Clinton.
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Spain declares war on Great Britain.
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American "Mad" Anthony Wayne captures Stony Point, NY.
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"No Flint" Grey kills 30 americans by bayonet.
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Cornwallis takes over as general for Clinton after they captured Charleston, SC.
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French troops arrive at Newport, RI to aid the American cause.
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Washington names Greene commander of the Southern Army.
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Mutinhy of unpaid Pennsylvania soldiers.
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The Articles of Confederation are adopted, establishing the U.S. as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution.
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General Cornwallis is surrounded and surrenders at Yorktown.
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Lord North resigns as British prime minister.
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British and Americans sign preliminary Articles of Peace in order to stop conflict between them.
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The U.S. and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War.
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The U.S. Constitution is signed.
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The U.S. Constitution is adopted, when New Hampshire ratifies it.
