1763 - The Seven Years War ends
1764 - April 5th - Sugar Act is passed
1765 - March 22nd - Stamp Act is passed
1770 - March 5th - Boston Massacre - soldiers sent to watch over the colonies open fire on a crowd of civilians in Boston Common.
1773 - May 10th - Tea Act passed
1773 - December 16th - Boston Tea Party - Sons of Liberty board a British ship and dump 346 chests of tea into the Boston Harbour. This marks the first real act of rebellion by the colonies. The King is furious and wants the colonies brought under control.
1774 - June - The 5 Intolerable Acts are passed. These are used to punish the colonies and force them to obey the king.
1775 - September 5th - First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. Representatives from all Thirteen colonies meet to decide on what to do about England. They decide to boycott British goods. This would cost the King and England a fortune.
1775 - April 18-19 - Paul Revere rides through Boston warning the Patriots of the British who are invading. The Patriots (colonists) prepare to meet the British. They confront them at Lexington Green. During an altercation, a shot is fired and the battle ensues. This is known as the "shot heard round the world" because it started the revolution that would change the world. The British are driven back to Boston.
1775 - June 17th. Battle of Bunker Hill. The Patriots prove that they are capable of fighting as they drive the British back twice before running out of ammunition.
1776 - Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. George Washington is elected leader of the Continental Army. They chose to break from England and declare their independence.
1776 - Continental Congress signs the Declaration of Independence, which is written by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. This becomes one of the most important documents in the history of the world because it states individual rights.
1776 - December 25-26. Washington and his army cross the Delaware and capture Trenton, New Jersey. This is a huge moral boost for the Patriots.
1776-77 - January - Washington's army spends a tough winter in Valley Forge. Many soldiers freeze to death.
1778 - February - Benjamin Franklin signs a treaty with France and brings them into the war on the side of the Patriots. They supply soldiers, money and weapons.
1781 - October, General Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. This ends the war.
1783 - September 3rd. The Treaty of Paris ends the war and the United States of America is created.
- George Washington becomes the first President of the United States.
- John Adams becomes the first Vice-President of the United States.
- Thomas Jefferson becomes the first Secretary of State.
- Alexander Hamilton becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury.
1764 - April 5th - Sugar Act is passed
1765 - March 22nd - Stamp Act is passed
1770 - March 5th - Boston Massacre - soldiers sent to watch over the colonies open fire on a crowd of civilians in Boston Common.
1773 - May 10th - Tea Act passed
1773 - December 16th - Boston Tea Party - Sons of Liberty board a British ship and dump 346 chests of tea into the Boston Harbour. This marks the first real act of rebellion by the colonies. The King is furious and wants the colonies brought under control.
1774 - June - The 5 Intolerable Acts are passed. These are used to punish the colonies and force them to obey the king.
1775 - September 5th - First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. Representatives from all Thirteen colonies meet to decide on what to do about England. They decide to boycott British goods. This would cost the King and England a fortune.
1775 - April 18-19 - Paul Revere rides through Boston warning the Patriots of the British who are invading. The Patriots (colonists) prepare to meet the British. They confront them at Lexington Green. During an altercation, a shot is fired and the battle ensues. This is known as the "shot heard round the world" because it started the revolution that would change the world. The British are driven back to Boston.
1775 - June 17th. Battle of Bunker Hill. The Patriots prove that they are capable of fighting as they drive the British back twice before running out of ammunition.
1776 - Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. George Washington is elected leader of the Continental Army. They chose to break from England and declare their independence.
1776 - Continental Congress signs the Declaration of Independence, which is written by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. This becomes one of the most important documents in the history of the world because it states individual rights.
1776 - December 25-26. Washington and his army cross the Delaware and capture Trenton, New Jersey. This is a huge moral boost for the Patriots.
1776-77 - January - Washington's army spends a tough winter in Valley Forge. Many soldiers freeze to death.
1778 - February - Benjamin Franklin signs a treaty with France and brings them into the war on the side of the Patriots. They supply soldiers, money and weapons.
1781 - October, General Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. This ends the war.
1783 - September 3rd. The Treaty of Paris ends the war and the United States of America is created.
- George Washington becomes the first President of the United States.
- John Adams becomes the first Vice-President of the United States.
- Thomas Jefferson becomes the first Secretary of State.
- Alexander Hamilton becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury.