American Revolution

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Timeline: American Revolution

Years: 1754 - 1789	Subject: History, Military History
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191737749

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Year	Event
1754	Benjamin Franklin's chopped-up snake, urging union of the colonies with the caption 'Join or Die', is the first American political cartoon Go to Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion Wars and Revolutions North America United States Benjamin Franklin proposes to the Albany Congress that the colonies should unite to form a colonial government Go to Albany Congress (1754) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1764	Britain passes the Sugar Act, levying duty on sugar, wine and textiles imported into America Go to Sugar Acts in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States
1765	Britain passes the Stamp Act, taxing legal documents and newspapers in the American colonies Go to Stamp Act (1765) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States American campaigners against the Stamp Act organize themselves as the Sons of Liberty in Massachusetts and New York Go to Sons of Liberty in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1766	Britain repeals the Stamp Act, in a major reversal of policy achieved by resistance in the American colonies Go to Stamp Act (1765) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States
1767	The British Chancellor, Charles Townshend, passes a series of acts taxing all glass, lead, paint, paper and tea imported into the American colonies Go to Townshend Acts (1767) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States
1770	British troops fire into an unruly crowd in Boston, Massachusetts, killing five Go to Boston Massacre (1770) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States In response to American protests, the British government removes the Townshend duties on all commodities with the exception of tea Go to Townshend Acts (1767) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States
1773	Some fifty colonists, disguised as Indians, tip a valuable cargo of tea into Boston harbour as a protest against British tax Go to Boston Tea Party (1773) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1774	As a retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, the British parliament closes Boston's port with the first of its Coercive Acts Go to Coercive Acts (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Britain's new Coercive (or Intolerable) Acts include the requirement that Massachusetts citizens give board and lodging to British troops Go to Coercive Acts (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States Delegates from twelve American colonies meet in Philadelphia and agree not to import any goods from Britain Go to Continental Congress (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1775	Patrick Henry makes a stirring declaration – 'Give me liberty or give me death' – to the Virginia Assembly Go to Henry, Patrick (1736–99) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States General Gage sends a detachment of British troops to seize weapons held by American Patriots at Concord Go to Gage, Thomas (1721–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Paul Revere is one of the US riders taking an urgent warning to Concord, but he is captured on the journey Go to Revere, Paul (1735–1818) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion War Wars and Revolutions North America United States The first shot of the American Revolution is fired in a skirmish between redcoats and militiamen at Lexington, on the road to Concord Go to Lexington and Concord, Battle of (19 April 1775) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Delegates from the states reassemble in Philadelphia, with hostilities against the British already under way in Massachusetts Go to Continental Congress (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Delegates in Philadelphia select George Washington as commander-in-chief of the colonial army Go to Washington, George (1732–99) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 US presidents Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions North America United States At Bunker Hill, overlooking Boston from the north, the American militiamen prove their worth against British professional soldiers Go to Bunker Hill, battle of (1775) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Delegates to the Continental Congress make a final bid for peace, sending the Olive Branch Petition to George III Go to Olive Branch Petition in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Britain declares the colonies to be in a state of rebellion, and sets up a naval blockade of the American coastline Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Yankee Doodle is the most popular song with the patriot troops in the American Revolution Go to Yankee Doodle in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Performing arts Music British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1776	George Washington raises on Prospect Hill a new American flag, the British red ensign on a ground of thirteen stripes – one for each colony Go to Washington, George (1732–99) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 US presidents Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions North America United States In Common Sense, an anonymous pamphlet, English immigrant Thomas Paine is the first to argue that the American colonies should be independent Go to Paine, Thomas (1737–1809) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature American literature Literature in English Politics Protest and rebellion British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States George Washington drives the British garrison from Boston, and moves south to protect New York Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War Wars and Revolutions North America United States The revolutionary convention of Virginia votes for independence from Britain, and instructs its delegates in Philadelphia to propose this motion Go to Continental Congress (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Democracy and dissent Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Virginia's motion for independence from Britain is passed at the Continental Congress of the colonies with no opposing vote Go to Continental Congress (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Democracy and dissent Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States Thomas Jefferson's text for the Declaration of Independence is accepted by the Congress in Philadelphia Go to Declaration of Independence in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Democracy and dissent Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 US presidents Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions North America United States John Hancock is the first delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence, formally written out on a large sheet of parchment Go to Hancock, John (1737–93) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Democracy and dissent Protest and rebellion War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States George Washington, driven from New York by the British, retreats towards Philadelphia Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Wars and Revolutions North America United States George Washington defeats the British at Trenton at a psychologically important moment in the course of the war Go to Trenton, battle of (1776) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Battles Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1777	Congress adopts a new flag for independent America – the stars and stripes Go to Continental Congress (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Protest and rebellion War Wars and Revolutions North America United States George Washington, heavily defeated in a battle at Brandywine, is forced to relinquish Philadelphia to the British Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Wars and Revolutions North America United States The American general Horatio Gates captures the army of General Burgoyne near Saratoga Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Battles Wars and Revolutions North America United States The US Congress agrees the final version of the Articles of Confederation, defining the terms on which states join the Union Go to Articles of Confederation (1781) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics Democracy and dissent War Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1778	Benjamin Franklin persuades the French to sign a Treaty of Alliance, committing France to the US cause Go to Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics War European empires from 1415 Europe France Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe France Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain Go to Jones, John Paul (1747–1792) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States The British rapidly abandon Philadelphia on news of the expected arrival of a French fleet Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Wars and Revolutions North America United States The British adopt a new policy in the south, landing in Georgia and capturing much of South Carolina Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Wars and Revolutions Latin America South America North America United States Francis Hopkinson's popular ballad The Battle of the Kegs describes an ingenious American threat to the British navy Go to Battle of the Kegs, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Literature American literature Literature in English Poetry War Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1779	U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, fights H.M.S. Serapis near England's Flamborough Head Go to Jones, John Paul (1747–1792) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States
1780	The capture of British go-between John André yields proof that US general Benedict Arnold is in the pay of the British Go to Arnold, Benedict (1741–1801) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Wars and Revolutions North America United States British army officer John André is executed in New York as a spy Go to André, John in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1781	Maryland, ratifies the Articles of Confederation (the last state to do so), completing 'the Confederation of the United States' Go to Articles of Confederation (1781) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Politics War Wars and Revolutions North America United States The Bank of North America is established by the Continental Congress to lend money to the fledgling Revolutionary government Go to Continental Congress (1774) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Commerce and industry War Society Wars and Revolutions North America United States US poet Philip Freneau describes in The British Prison Ship the horrors of his experiences as a prisoner Go to Freneau, Philip Morin (1752–1832) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Literature American literature Literature in English Poetry War Wars and Revolutions North America United States The British general Charles Cornwallis, isolated at Yorktown, is forced to surrender in the final engagement of the Revolutionary War Go to Cornwallis, Charles, 1st Marquis Cornwallis (1738–1805) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War War Battles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
c. 1783	Some 40,000 Loyalists flee from British America to the previously French colonies, in particular Nova Scotia Go to New France in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America Canada United States In the Treaty of Paris, negotiated by Adams, Franklin and Jay, the British government recognizes US independence Go to Paris, Treaty of (1783) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States
1787	Delegates meeting in Philadelphia agree a final draft for a US constitution, to be submitted to the states for ratification Go to Constitution of the United States in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Democracy and dissent US presidents Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions North America United States The Federalist Papers, in support of the Constitution and mainly written by Alexander Hamilton, begin appearing in New York Go to Hamilton, Alexander in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1788	The constitution of the United States is ratified by the states, but it is immediately agreed that amendments will be desirable Go to Constitution of the United States in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Democracy and dissent US presidents Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1789	George Washington, unanimously elected first president of the United States, is inaugurated on Wall Street in New York Go to Washington, George (1732–99) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions North America United States

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date: 24 June 2025

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