Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

Battles of Lexington and Concord

April 19, 1775 - “the shot heard round the world” British march to seize colonial weapons, 77 militiamen await at Lexington green

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775 - delegates convene in Philadelphia, becoming de facto national government. Creates continental army, currency, conducts diplomacy

Capture of fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775 - Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture British fort. Cannons later hauled to Boston to force British evacuation

Battle of Bunker Hill

June 17, 1775 - British Pyrrhic victory at breed’s hill. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” proves Americans can stand against regulars.

Washington takes command

July 3, 1775 - George Washington assumes command of the continental army at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Begins organizing ragtag militia into fighting force

Common sense published

January 1776 - Thomas Paine’s pamphlet galvanizes support for complete independence from Britain

British evacuate Boston

March 17, 1776 - after Washington fortifies dorchester heights with cannons from Ticonderoga, british forces withdraw to Halifax

Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776 - congress adopts Jefferson’s declaration

Battle of Long Island

August 27, 1776 - Washington’s army suffers major defeat in NY. British outflank American positions; begins retreat across NJ

Crossing the Delaware

December 25-26, 1776 - Washington’s desperate Christmas gamble. Surprise attack on Trenton captures 900 hessians, no American combat deaths

Flag resolution

August 27, 1777

Battle of brandywine

September 11, 1777 - British outflank Washington’s army defending Philadelphia. Congress flees; British occupy capital two weeks later

Surrender at Saratoga

October 17,1777 - burgoyne surrenders 5700 troops after failed campaign to split colonies. THE turning point - brings France into the war

Valley forge

December 1777 - June 1778 - continental army endures brutal winter. 2000 die from disease and exposure. Baron von Steuben transforms survivors into professional soldiers

Franco-American alliance

February 6, 1778 - France formally allies with US, providing troops, ships, ammunition, loans. War becomes global

Battle of Monmouth

June 28, 1778 - inconclusive battle in NJ heat shows improved American training. Last major engagement in the north.

Fall of Savannah

December 29, 1778 - British shift strategy south, capturing Savannah and beginning the southern campaign to rally loyalist support.

Siege of Charleston

May 12, 1780 - worst American defeat of the war. Benjamin Lincoln surrenders 5000 troops—largest American surrender until civil war

Battle of camden

August 16, 1780 - Horatio Gates suffers crushing defeat in South Carolina.

Continental Army in the South virtually destroyed.

Battle of kings mountain

October 7, 1780 - Frontier militia destroys Loyalist force under Patrick Ferguson. Turns tide in the South; Cornwallis halts advance.

Battle of Cowpens

January 17, 1781 - Daniel Morgan's tactical masterpiece annihilates Tarleton's feared British Legion. Double envelopment traps enemy.

Battle of Guildford courthouse

March 15, 1781 - Greene's army bleeds Cornwallis so badly (25% casualties) he abandons the Carolina campaign and marches to Virginia.

Battle of the Chesapeake

September 5, 1781 - French Admiral de Grasse defeats British fleet, sealing Cornwallis's fate at Yorktown. Naval control proves decisive.

Surrender at Yorktown

October 19, 1781 - Cornwallis surrenders 8,000 troops. British band plays "The World Turned Upside Down." Effectively ends the war.

Lord North resigns

March 20, 1782 - British Prime Minister resigns after Yorktown. Parliament votes to end offensive operations in America.

Preliminary peace treaty

November 30, 1782 - Britain recognizes American independence preliminary articles. Adams, Franklin, and Jay negotiate brilliantly

Treaty of Paris

September 3, 1783 - Final peace treaty signed. Britain cedes territory from Atlantic to Mississippi, Canada to Florida. The Revolution ends.

British evacuate NY

November 25, 1783 - Last British troops depart. Washington rides into the city in triumph. "Evacuation Day" celebrated for decades.

Washington Resigns Commission

December 23, 1783 - Washington surrenders his commission to Congress at Annapolis, returning power to civilian govemment. Unprecedented act stuns the world.