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The Stamp Act
Britain sets a tax that requires a stamp on all public documents like newspapers or legal documents. The colonists did not like having this tax placed on them. This led to unrest in the colonies and the Stamp Act Congress. -
The Boston Massacre
5 Boston colonists are shot by British troops. -
The Boston Tea Party
Angry with a new tax on tea, some Boston colonists calling themselves the Sons of Liberty board British ships and dump crates of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
The First Continental Congress Meets
Representatives from the colonies get together to unite and oppose British taxes. -
Paul Revere's Ride
The Revolutionary War starts and Paul Revere makes his famous ride to warn the colonists that the "British are coming". -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first instance of fighting begins with "the shot heard around the world". Americans win this battle. American casualties - 93. British casualties - 273. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
The Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Major battle where William Prescott said, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." Despite heavy loss (268 killed and 828 wounded), the British took Breeds Hill and Bunker Hill from the Americans (who suffered a loss of 115 killed and 305 wounded). -
The Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress agrees to Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. -
George Washington crosses the Delaware
George Washington and his troops give the enemy a Christmas surprise by crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night. -
The American Flag
The Continental Congress adopts the flag, sewn by Betsy Ross. -
Battles of Saratoga
Beginning on September 19 and continuing to October 17, the British General John Burgoyne ultimately surrenders his army to the Americans after suffering defeat at this battle. -
Alliance with France
France recognizes the United States as an independent country under the Treaty of Alliance. -
Articles of Confederation
The original constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781. -
Battle of Yorktown
The last major battle of the war. Here is where General Cornwallis surrendered, bringing an unofficial end to the war. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty that officially ended the war.
