-
First Continental Congress meets
-All colonies but Georgia have representatives
-voted to send "statement of grievances"
-Voted to Boycott all British Trade
-Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
-General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
-Paul Revere rides to warn the sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming.." -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
BATTLE OF LEXINGTON-
-1st battle of American Revolutionary War
-"shot heard round the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH Victory BATTLE OF CONCORD-
-Americans Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
-AMERICAN Victory -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
-Benedict Arnold Ethan Allen capture the fort
-Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
-AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet
-Print $$$$
-Set up post office
-Created continental Army led by George Washington
-sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
-King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response -
Battle of Bunker Hill
-Fought on Breed's Hill
- "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes"- William Prescott
-BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with continental troops
-realizes the men are disorganized and need discipline
- Need weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas paine
-Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
-"Every thing is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat- AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
-Debating on declaring independence
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independance
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring Independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!
-Known as the 4th of July