Founding Fathers

  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    One night of December 16, 1773, 12 disguised men, some Indigenous Americans, boarded the three East India Company ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party protest the British Parliament's tax on tea. "No taxation without representation. The British government considered the protest an act of treason and responded badly.
  • The Battles of Lexington and Concord

    The Battles of Lexington and Concord
    The Battles of Lexington and Concord was the first major military campaign of the American Revolutionary War. It resulted in an American victory and an outpouring of militia support for the anti-British cause. This led many Americans to support the 'revolution'.
  • The Declaration of Independence is Signed

    The Declaration of Independence is Signed
    The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans. The Declaration summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence. the 13 colonies severed political connections to Great Britain.
  • Articles of Confederation are Ratified

    Articles of Confederation are Ratified
    The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. It left most of the power with the state governments. This established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.
  • The Winter at Valley Forge

    The Winter at Valley Forge
    This was seen as a low point in the American Revolution the winter spent at Valley Forge helped the army. The crossing of the Delaware raised the morale of the army, inspiring many to continue their service. The same battle proved to the world that the American colonists could defeat the British.
  • The Battle of Yorktown

    The Battle of Yorktown
    The Battle of Yorktown proved to be the decisive engagement of the American Revolution. This event was so important because it led directly to the peace that ended the war in 1783 and got America its independence.
  • The Constitution is Ratified

    The Constitution is Ratified
    In New Hampshire ensured the success of the Constitution, becoming the ninth state to ratify it. This made the Constitution the official law of the United States and turned the colonies into states. The Constitution's ratification process provided for much popular debate in the States.
  • Presidential Inauguration of George Washington

    Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
    George Washington's inauguration ceremony was in New York City. This was a grand historical event attended by hundreds. George set a guide for future presidents when he delivered the first inaugural address on April 4, 1789.
  • Washington’s Farewell Address

    Washington’s Farewell Address
    In his address, Washington encouraged Americans to set aside their violent likes and dislikes of foreign nations, lest their passions control them. He argued for impartial commercial treaties, but against treaties of permanent alliance, even though the United States should fulfill any existing agreements nwith perfect good faith. He rooted in the specific challenges he saw facing the United States at the time.
  • The Death of George Washington

    The Death of George Washington
    George Washington died of a throat infection. His death reflected public and private traditions of the period. It also served as a catalyst for americans from diverse backgrounds to unite.
  • Election Day, 1800

    Election Day, 1800
    United States presidential election of 1800 was an American presidential election in 1800. Thomas Jefferson defeated the incumbent John Adams. It was so important because
  • Marbury vs. Madison

    Marbury vs. Madison
    The event is a legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court first declared act of Congress unconstitutional establishing the doctrine of judicial review. The Supreme Court for the first time struck down an act of Congress. This was an important addition to the system of “checks and balances” this was created to prevent any branch of the Federal Government from becoming too powerful.