-
Birth
Thomas Jefferson was born April thirteenth, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. -
First Continental Congress
Jefferson drafted instructions for the Virginia delegates to the first Continental Congress. In the draft, he argued that Parliament has no governing rights over the colonies. The instructions circulated in London, Philadelphia, and New York and establishes Jefferson's reputation as a skillful, if radical, political writer. -
Second Continental Congress
Jefferson was elected as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. Here, Congress decided it was time for the colonies to cut ties with Britain by preparing the Declaration of Independence, which Jefferson had drafted. -
Drafting the Declaration of Independence
Jefferson wrote several drafts of a constitution for Virginia. His ideas were influenced by the Enlightenment and John Locke. The four sections were a preamble, declaration of rights, a list of complaints against the king, and a resolution of independence. -
Declaration is adopted
On July 4th (known as Independence Day) delegates approved the Declaration. Jefferson's document declared the nation's independence and defined basic principles the American society uses today. -
Virginia House of Delegates
Throughout this year, Jefferson served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and as a member of the committee to revise Virginia's state laws. On May sixteenth, he began a correspondence with John Adams. -
Freedom
Jefferson submitted a report to the Virginia House with a Statute for religious freedom, a bill for reforming the legal code, and establishing a public school system, The House passed a Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. -
Peace Treaty
Congress appoints Jefferson as a commissioner to join John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Laurens in Europe to negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain. -
Death
Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 in Charlottesville, VA.
