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Shots fired at Lexington and Concord April 1775
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was fought on April 19, 1775, and had been the start of the American Revolution. A shot rang out from one of the sides and became known as the “Shot heard ‘round the world”. The colonists confronted the British troops at the Northbridge in Concord, forcing them to go back to Boston, with the colonists firing at them the entire time. The colonists proved that they could stand up to one of the world's most powerful armies, and the American revolution had begun. -
Declaration of Independence 1776
The Declaration of Independence states why the colonies desired independence in July of 1776. The colonists tried to reach a peaceful agreement, but were continually ignored, making the colonists declare their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. The declaration named the 13 colonies the United States of America and the new government now had the right to declare war, make peace, make alliances with foreign nations and participate in trade. -
The Battle of Trenton 1776
The Battle of Trenton occurred on December 26, 1776, when George Washington’s army traveled over the state of Delaware and won two pivotal battles for the American Revolution. In the Battle of Trenton, 1,000 men were captured. Washington's army had to withdraw from the town from lack of artillery and men, but news of the capture spread through the colonies and raised spirits of those who thought the army was incapable of a victory. -
The Battle of Saratoga 1777
The Battle of Saratoga on October 13, 1777, had convinced the French of America's strength, persuading the French to support with military aid. The British had a small victory over American forces, but after October 7, the American victory convinced the French to look at the Colonists cause and enter the war as their ally. -
United States and France Enter Alliances 1778
During the American revolution, a meeting was set up for representatives of France and of the United States to make a military alliance, the Treaty of Alliance, and a trade to promote trade and commercial ties, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The treaties were signed on February 6, 1778, and the French greatly helped with support, and fighting at the Battle of Yorktown. -
British Surrender Fort Sackville 1779
George Rogers Clark and a group of approximately 170 men traveled on the Mississippi river and reached Fort Sackville at Vincennes February 23, 1779. After murdering Indian captives in front of the fort, Clark secured the surrender of the British under Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton on February 25, 1779. This revealed that the Indians could not rely on the British to protect them, and it was the beginning of the end of British dominance in America's Western frontier. -
The Spanish Capture Baton Rouge 1779
Spanish military officer Bernardo de Galvez, along with the aid of American troops and volunteers, captured the British post and garrison at Baton Rouge in West Florida on September 21, 1779. In the terms of their surrender, that they also surrender Fort Panmure at Natchez to the Spanish. This ended the control of the Mississippi Valley, and also opened the River to Spanish supply lines, greatly benefiting the American cause. -
Patriots Prevail in the Carolinas 1780
Patriot militia defeat British militia at the Battle of King’s Mountain in North Carolina near the border with Blacksburg, South Carolina, on October 7, 1780. Loyalists were protecting outposts from Patriot attacks. The Patriots won the battle by a landslide and the Patriot success was the first against the British in the South. It convinced General Cornwallis to stop his march through the territory and convinced many Americans to take the Patriots side, not to fight with the British. -
The Battle of Yorktown 1781
French and American forces trap the British at Yorktown, a vital win for the American cause. The British laid down their weapons, and the British army was destroyed. This win was one that virtually ended the American Revolution on October 6, 1781. -
The Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolution. The treaty recognized the 13 colonies as independent and established boundaries between the United States of America and Great Britain. The Treaty of Paris was signed by the people of Britain and the North American Congress of the Confederation, allowing American's to celebrate their historic victory.
