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Congress issues Declaration of Independence
<a
href='http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html' >Declaration of Independence</a>
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adoped by Congress on July 4, 1776 which stated that the 13 American colonies regarded themselves as independent states. This declared them free from Great Britain. A committee was assembled to write the declaration. After being edited by Congress, the formal declaration was finalized. -
Congress proposes Article of Confederation
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was an agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. It's structural weaknesses led to inevitable revision. -
The Articles of Confederation is ratified
Ratification of The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was formally ratified by all 13 states on March 1, 1781. -
Revolutionary War ends
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War was a result of the independence of the states from Great Britain. The Treaty of Paris ended the war and announced the sovereignty of the United States. This spanded north to Canada, south to Florida, and west to the Mississippi. -
Shay's Rebellion breaks out in Massachusetts
Shay's Rebellion
Daniel Shay was a farmer in debt, who rebelled against the government to try to prevent forclosure on the morgage on his farm. The economic depression that follwed the American Revolution affected farmers who were debt-ridden as a result of the high land taxes. The revolt, led by Shay, was one of the causes of the ammendment to the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitutional Convention is held
The Constitutional Convention
The meeting was called by Congress and was held in Philadelphia. It was called to revise the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from all states, except for Rhode Island, were present. They discussed issues of power between the legislature, executive, and judiciary. -
Delegates sign the Constitution
Signing of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The Articles of Confederation had to be ammended because it gave almost no power to Congress, the central authority. To prevent the break up of the Union, the Constitution was created to replace the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitution is ratified
Ratification of the Constitution
Ratification of the Constitution took place on June 21, 1788 when the ninth state, New Hampshire agreed to ratify the Constitution. After this, Congress set a timetable to begin government under the Constitution. Eventually all states ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island and New York having the closest votes. -
George Washington is elected President
The First Presidential Election
The election took place after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. George Washington was the first elected Chief Executive of the United States. Because he was widely popular, he ran unopposed. John Adams became the first Vice-President. -
States ratify the Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights and the Amendments
12 amendments to the Constitution were approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. They were designed to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens, guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and exercise of religion; the right to fair legal procedure and to bear arms. Powers not given to the federal government would be reserved for the states and the people -
John Adams is inagurated as President
John Adams, the Second President
John Adams was a prominent lawyer and a public figure in Boston. Being one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Adams was a Federalist who represented Enlightenment values promoting republicanism. Before becoming the second president of the U.S., Adams served as George Washington's vice-president for two terms.
