Road to Independence

First Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

*All colonies but Georgia have representatives
*Voted to send a "statement of grievances"
*Voted to BOYCOTT all British trade
*Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain

1000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

*General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

*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 & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

*Battle of Lexington
-1st battle of American Revolutionary War
-"Shot heard round the world" - Ralph Waddo Emerson
-BRITISH victory *Battle of Concord
-Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
-AMERICAN victory

Second Continental Congress Meet

May 10, 1775

*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 Hessian Soldiers in response

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

*Benedict Arnold Ethan Allen capture the fort
*Get all supplies in the fort including cannons
*AMERICAN victory

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

*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

Jul 15, 1775

*Realizes men are disorganized need discipline
*Need weapons

"Common Sense" Published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

*Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
*"Every thing that is right for 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

Mar 17, 1776

*Washington believes his army is ready weapons arrive
*Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
*British Retreat- American victory

Second Continental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

*Debate on declaring independence
*Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

*All colonies voted in support

The Declaration of Independence is signed

Jul 4, 1776

fireworks 🎆