Timeline of the American Revolution

March 1770: June 1776: Boston Massacre: Angry mob harrassed British April 1775: Congress appointed a committee to draft December 1776: soldiers who fired into crowd killing 3. After a series of American Paul Revere and comrades were sent to a formal declaration of independence. defeats, George Washington warn colonists of Britain’s plan. The Battle took 2,400 men across the of Lexington and Concord ensued. March 1764 - 1765: Delaware River on Christmas Volunteer soldiers established camps July 1776: Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Day and conducted a surprise around Boston and began year long siege. United States Declaration of raid on the British at Trenton, and Quartering Act were Independence adopted by Congress. New Jersey. all passed by English Parliament.

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July 1765: August 1776: March 1774: January 1776: Sons of Liberty, an underground June 1775: Washington, outnumbered two English Parliament Thomas Paine’s organization opposed to Stamp The British won the to one, suffered severe defeat at passed a series of “Common Sense” Act, was formed in colonial towns. first major fight in the . Coersive Acts, or was published in Battle of Long Island Boston at the Battle of “Intolerable Acts.” Philadelphia. Bunker Hill. September 1776: December 1773: After caught spying on British troops Boston Tea Party: colonial on Long Island, Nathan Hale was activists dumped 342 September 1774: executed without a trial. His last containers of tea into harbor. First Continental Congress words were “I only regret that I have met with 56 delegates. July 1775: but one life to lose for my country.” Continental Congress adopted Olive Branch Petition, expressing hope May 1775: for reconciliation with Britain and May 1776: Benedict Arnold led American forces to the requesting the King’s help, but King King Louis XVI of France committed a much capture of Fort Ticonderoga in New York. George III refused the petition and needed one million dollars in arms and munitions. declared Americans to be in state Spain also promised support. Second Continental Congress appointed of open rebellion. George Washington Commander-in-Chief Continental Congress authorized 13 colonies to of the 17,000 man Continental Army. form local governments. Timeline of the American Revolution

April 1777: February 1778: May 1780: March 1782: Benedict Arnold and his America and France signed Worst American defeat of the British parliament empowered two treaties. American troops defeated British France then Revolutionary War as the British King to negotiate peace with at Ridgefield, Connecticut. recognized the United States captured Charleston. United States. as a country and became a major supplier of military supplies September 1777: to Washington’s Army. September 1781: April 1783: British occupied Philadelphia Gen. Washington began siege of Congress offically declared forcing Continental Congress to Yorktown with combined Allied end to Revolutionary War. relocate to York, Pennsylvania. army of 17,000 men.

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August 1780: August 1781: July 1777: November 1782: appointed com- Comte de Grasse’s French fleet Marquis de Lafayette, a 19 year Benedict Arnold Preliminary peace treaty was signed mander of West Point. Unkown arrived near Yorktown to link with old French aristocrat, arrived in in Paris. Terms included recognition to Americans, he was secretly Lafayette’s American troops andcut Philadelphia to serve without of American independence and British collaborating with . pay. Congress appointed him as a Cornwallis off from any land retreat withdrawal from America. major general in Continental British Gen. Clinton since May Army. He later became one of Gen. 1779 by supplying information on Washington’s most trusted aides. Gen. Washington’s tactics. October 1781: As Yorktown was about September 1783: to be taken, British sent September 1780: Treaty of Paris was signed by United June 1777: a flag of truce. Gen. States and Great Britain. Congress November 1777: British spy was captured United States flag consisting of Washington and Gen. ratified treaty on January 14, 1784. Congress adopted Articles of carrying plans indicating 13 stars and 13 red and white Cornwallis worked out Confederation as government of Benedict Arnold’s intent to turn stripes mandated by Congress. terms of surrender. the new United States of America. traitor and surrender West Point. Two days later, Arnold heard of the spy’s capture and fled West October 1783: October 1777: Point to a British ship. He was In Virginia, the House of Burgesses Gen. Horatio Gates and Gen. Benedict Arnold led America to its first later named a Brigadier General granted freedom to slaves who major victory of the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Saratoga. in the British Army and fought served in the Continental Army. the Americans.