| 1706 |
| |
|
January 17, 1706
b. Benjamin Franklin
|
|
| 1722 |
| |
|
September 27, 1722
b. Samuel Adams
|
|
| 1723 |
| |
|
February 5, 1723
b. John Witherspoon, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1728 |
| |
|
August 28, 1728
b. John Stark, American general.
|
|
| 1729 |
| |
|
November 21, 1729
b. Josiah Bartlett, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1731 |
| |
|
June 21, 1731
b. Martha Washington
|
|
| 1732 |
| |
|
February 22, 1732
b. George Washington
|
|
| 1734 |
| |
|
January 31, 1734
b. Robert Morris, signer of Declaration
|
|
| 1735 |
| |
|
February 11, 1735
b. Daniel Boone
|
|
| 1735 |
| |
|
October 31, 1735
b. John Adams
|
|
| 1736 |
| |
|
January 29, 1736
b. Thomas Paine
|
|
| 1736 |
| |
|
May 29, 1736
b. Patrick Henry
|
|
| 1737 |
| |
|
January 12, 1737
b. John Hancock
|
|
| 1737 |
| |
|
December 31, 1737
b. Charles Cornwallis
|
|
| 1738 |
| |
|
June 16, 1738
b. Mary Katherine Goddard, first American woman to publish a newspaper (Baltimore Journal).
|
|
| 1743 |
| |
|
April 13, 1743
b. Thomas Jefferson
|
|
| 1744 |
| |
|
July 17, 1744
b. Elbridge Gerry, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1744 |
| |
|
November 23, 1744
b. Abigail Adams
|
|
| 1746 |
| |
|
July 28, 1746
b. Thomas Heyward, Jr., signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1746 |
| |
|
October 22, 1746
b. Esther Reed, American Patriot.
|
|
| 1750 |
| |
|
July 25, 1750
b. Henry Knox
|
|
| 1751 |
| |
|
March 16, 1751
b. James Madison
|
|
| 1754 |
| |
|
June 19, 1754
Albany Convention meets to consider relations with Iroquois.
|
|
| 1754 |
| |
|
October 13, 1754
b. Mary McCauley, aka Molly Pitcher, American heroine of the battlefield.
|
|
| 1755 |
| |
|
January 11, 1755
b. Alexander Hamilton
|
|
| 1756 |
| |
|
May 15, 1756
Start of the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War).
|
|
| 1757 |
| |
|
November 22, 1757
Tensions heighten when British capture French frigate.
|
|
| 1760 |
| |
|
October 25, 1760
Death of George II, accession of George III.
|
|
| 1761 |
| |
|
January 27, 1761
Thomas Hutchinson named Chief Justice of MA.
|
|
| 1761 |
| |
|
December 2, 1761
British begin policy of search without warrant in Boston.
|
|
| 1763 |
| |
|
February 10, 1763
France cedes territories east of Mississippi River to Britain.
|
|
| 1763 |
| |
|
October 7, 1763
Britain issues the Proclamation of 1763, forbidding migration west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent Indian conflicts.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1763 |
| |
|
December 1, 1763
In a lawsuit against Anglican clergy, Patrick Henry calls King George a "Tyrant."
|
|
| 1764 |
| |
|
April 5, 1764
Parliament passes Sugar Act.
|
|
| 1764 |
| |
|
June 13, 1764
MA House establishes first Committee of Correspondence.
|
|
| 1764 |
| |
|
September 1, 1764
Crown authorizes Currency Act, forbiddening colonies to issue their own currency.
|
|
| 1765 |
| |
|
March 22, 1765
Parliament passes Stamp Act.
|
|
| 1765 |
| |
|
May 29, 1765
Sons of Liberty founded.
|
|
| 1765 |
| |
|
August 9, 1765
Franklin, still a loyal British subject, writes, "Loyalty to the Crown will always be the wisest Course."
|
|
| 1765 |
| |
|
October 7, 1765
The Stamp Act Congress opens, when delegates from nine colonies meet in New York. The Congress will issue a Declaration of Rights and Grievances denouncing taxation without representation.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1765 |
| |
|
November 1, 1765
Samuel Adams elected to MA House of Representatives.
|
|
| 1766 |
| |
|
February 13, 1766
Franklin writes a letter to defy the Stamp Act.
|
|
| 1766 |
| |
|
March 18, 1766
Stamp Act repealed, but Declaratory Act passes, making Parliament's laws binding "in all cases whatsoever."
|
|
| 1766 |
| |
|
July 10, 1766
Olaudah Equiano, abolitionist and author, buys his freedom in Philadelphia.
|
|
| 1767 |
| |
|
June 29, 1767
Passage of Townshend Act imposing taxes on tea, paper and other goods imported to colonies.
|
|
| 1768 |
| |
|
April 21, 1768
British administrators in colonies dissolve American assemblies.
|
|
| 1768 |
| |
|
July 18, 1768
Boston Gazette publishes "The Liberty Song."
|
|
| 1768 |
| |
|
October 1, 1768
Arrival of British troops to restore order in Boston.
|
|
| 1769 |
| |
|
August 1, 1769
Thomas Hutchinson becomes Governor of MA.
|
|
| 1769 |
| |
|
November 26, 1769
Charles Thomson writes that the "colonies see that their property is precarious & their liberty insecure."
|
|
| 1770 |
| |
|
January 19, 1770
Battle of Golden Hill between soldiers and civilians of NYC.
|
|
| 1770 |
| |
|
February 8, 1770
Alexander McDougall imprisoned in NY for printing subversive flyers.
|
|
| 1770 |
| |
|
March 5, 1770
The Boston Massacre takes place as British soldiers who had been taunted by a crowd of colonists, fire a musket volley into the crowd, killing five people.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1770 |
| |
|
April 12, 1770
Repeal of Townshend Acts.
|
|
| 1770 |
| |
|
November 27, 1770
Boston Massacre trials begin.
|
|
| 1770 |
| |
|
December 4, 1770
Six British soldiers acquitted of Boston Massacre violence, two found guilty of manslaughter.
|
|
| 1772 |
| |
|
June 9, 1772
Gaspee Incident: Royal Navy Schooner burned by Rhode Islanders.
|
|
| 1772 |
| |
|
August 20, 1772
Royal Commission established to investigate Gaspee Incident.
|
|
| 1772 |
| |
|
November 4, 1772
French East India ship sinks in British waters, escalating tensions.
|
|
| 1773 |
| |
|
May 10, 1773
Tea Act gives monopoly to East India Company.
|
|
| 1773 |
| |
|
June 5, 1773
Boston Committee adopts "Solemn League and Covenant" suspending commercial intercourse with Great Britain.
|
|
| 1773 |
| |
|
October 16, 1773
VA and MA committees of correspondence condemn Tea Act.
|
|
| 1773 |
| |
|
December 11, 1773
John Adams writes, "Nothing but equal Liberty and kind Treatment can Secure the Attachment of the Colonies of Britain.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
January 3, 1774
Gov. William Tryon says tea cannot land in NY except under the "point of the bayonet."
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
March 31, 1774
Coercive Acts. Britain shuts down Boston Harbor.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
April 22, 1774
New York "Mohawks" have a "tea party."
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
May 13, 1774
Gen. Thomas Gage arrives in Boston as Military Governor.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
June 2, 1774
Martial Law declared in MA.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
July 22, 1774
PA Assembly names delegates to Continental Congress.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
August 31, 1774
John and Sam Addams arrive in Philadelphia as delegates to Continental Congress.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
September 5, 1774
The first Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
October 18, 1774
Congress establishes the Continental Association to end commerce with Britain.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
November 14, 1774
Thomas Gage orders victualing office moved from NYC to Boston.
|
|
| 1774 |
| |
|
December 9, 1774
Patriots seize arms at Newport, RI and carry them to Providence.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
January 6, 1775
American Merchants vote to petition for reopening of Boston Harbor.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
February 1, 1775
NJ delegates declare support of the King only if liberties are restored.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
March 2, 1775
300 lbs. of tea is burned in Providence, RI.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
April 3, 1775
Colonial Assembly of NY holds last session.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
May 1, 1775
Patriots of NY choose Committee of One Hundred to "stand or fall with the liberty of the continent."
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
June 6, 1775
British garrison troops evacuate NYC.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
July 6, 1775
Congress issues Dickinson's "Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking up Arms."
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
August 17, 1775
PA Gazette reports that Gen. Gage will first destroy Boston, then move to NY.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
September 2, 1775
Washington commissions the armed American ship, Hannah.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
October 30, 1775
Congress authorizes the deployment of the Andrew Doria and the Cabot.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
November 7, 1775
VA Royal Governor declares martial law.
|
|
| 1775 |
| |
|
December 3, 1775
First official US flag raised aboard USS Alfred on the Delaware River.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
January 10, 1776
Benedict Arnold made Brigadier General in American Army.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
February 27, 1776
NY Patriots defeat Scots-American Loyalists at Moore's Creek Bridge.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
March 17, 1776
British Gen. Gage evacuates Boston.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
April 6, 1776
Congress opens ports to all nations except Great Britain.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
May 2, 1776
Louis XVI of France sends arms and ammunition to American Army.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
June 4, 1776
John Hancock challenges Marylanders to "live Slaves, or die Freemen."
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
July 2, 1776
British forces arrive in NY.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
August 27, 1776
Washington defeated at Battle of Brooklyn (Long Island).
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
September 6, 1776
First submarine, Turtle, is used in Battle of New York Harbor.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
October 11, 1776
Benedict Arnold clashes with British fleet in defense of Lake Champlain. Both parties retreat, no clear victor.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
November 16, 1776
British capture Fort Washington and complete occupation of New York City.
|
|
| 1776 |
| |
|
December 19, 1776
Thomas Paine publishes The American Crisis.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
January 18, 1777
Congress reprints Declaration of Independence with names of all signers.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
February 25, 1777
Benjamin Lincoln and Lord Sterling promoted to Major-Generals of Patriot forces.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
March 8, 1777
Battle of Punk Hill Amboy, NJ.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
April 4, 1777
MA General Court votes to hold referendum on state constitution.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
May 14, 1777
Pro-British Indians raid Americans at Sawpit, FL.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
June 14, 1777
The Continental Congress declares that the national flag should contain thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen stars on a blue field.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
July 23, 1777
Casimir Pulaski, Polish volunteer in the Revolution, arrives in America.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
August 3, 1777
St. Leger's British forces attack Americans at Fort Stanwix.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
September 7, 1777
British begin their advance on Brandywine.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
October 4, 1777
Washington defeated at Germantown, PA.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
November 15, 1777
Congress approves Articles of Confederation.
|
|
| 1777 |
| |
|
December 7, 1777
Second Battle of Saratoga begins.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
January 5, 1778
Naval mines used for the first time by Continental Navy.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
February 17, 1778
British MP's submit first peace proposals in Parliament.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
March 3, 1778
British launch surprise attack at Briar Creek, GA.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
April 16, 1778
British delegation sails for America to offer terms for peace.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
May 4, 1778
Congress ratifies Treaty of Alliance with France.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
June 18, 1778
British evacuate Philadelphia.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
July 3, 1778
Wyoming Valley Massacre by Tory and Indian forces.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
August 5, 1778
Battle of Newport, RI begins.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
September 29, 1778
Spain offers to mediate, but Britain says no.
|
|
| 1778 |
| |
|
November 11, 1778
British and Indian forces massacre American settlement at Cherry Valley, NY.
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
January 23, 1779
Congress offers $100 bounty for enlistment.
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
March 29, 1779
Approval of Von Steuben's army regulation "blue book."
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
April 9, 1779
Benedict Arnold marries Peggy Shippen, a Loyalist who encourages his treason.
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
May 7, 1779
Patriots arrive in Easton, PA to destroy Loyalist resistance.
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
June 1, 1779
Jefferson elected governor of VA.
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
July 14, 1779
d. George Ross, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
September 23, 1779
During the Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones, commander of seven vessels, captures a 17-ship British fleet. When asked to surrender by the British, he replies with the famous words: "I have not yet begun to fight!"
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1779 |
| |
|
October 9, 1779
Franco-American forces defeated at Charleston, SC.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
January 21, 1780
Thomas Jefferson elected to American Philosophical Society.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
March 1, 1780
PA is the first state to abolish slavery.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
May 12, 1780
British Gen. Henry Clinton captures Charleston, SC.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
June 2, 1780
Jefferson reelected governor.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
July 7, 1780
A discourages Patriot writes, "I despise my countrymen… I once gloried in it but am now ashamed of it."
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
August 13, 1780
American diplomat, en route to negotiate treaty of alliance with United Provinces, is captured at sea by British.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
September 23, 1780
British spy John Andre was captured along with papers revealing Benedict Arnold's plot to surrender West Point to the British.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
October 14, 1780
US troops begin using guerilla warfare tactics.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
November 8, 1780
British destroy San Juan, Nicaragua.
|
|
| 1780 |
| |
|
December 10, 1780
Washington writes to Congress requesting funds for his army suffering from "every species of want."
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
February 3, 1781
Congress creates departments of Finance, War, and Marine.
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
March 1, 1781
The Articles of Confederation, the United States’ first plan of government, is formally ratified.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
April 7, 1781
Battle at Four Holes, SC.
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
May 3, 1781
An agreement to exchange prisoners is signed in Pegues Place, SC.
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
July 25, 1781
British burn Georgetown, SC.
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
August 10, 1781
Robert Livingston appointed first Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
September 8, 1781
Benedict Arnold burns New London, CT.
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
October 19, 1781
8,000 British troops under Lord Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown, Virginia.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1781 |
| |
|
November 5, 1781
John Hanson elected first President of US under Articles of Confederation.
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
February 12, 1782
French capture Brimstone Hill, St. Kitts from Britain.
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
March 7, 1782
American slaughter British-backed Indians in Gnadenhuetten Massacre, Ohio
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
June 20, 1782
US adopts official Great Seal.
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
July 24, 1782
Portugal joins the League of Armed Neutrals to protect its wartime shipping.
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
August 7, 1782
Gen. Washington establishes Order of the Purple Heart for soldiers wounded in battle.
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
September 13, 1782
Elizabeth Zane, a heroine of the battlefield, is instrumental in winning the Battle of Fort Henry.
|
|
| 1782 |
| |
|
November 30, 1782
Preliminary Articles of Peace presented to both sides.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
February 15, 1783
Portugal recognizes American independence.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
March 10, 1783
Troops demand back pay from Congress, mutiny threatens.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
April 11, 1783
Creation of hostilities following preliminary peace treaty.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
September 2, 1783
The Treaty of Paris between the United States and Great Britain officially ends the Revolutionary War.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
October 2, 1783
Washington issues last general order to Continental Army.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
November 2, 1783
Continental Army disbanded.
|
|
| 1783 |
| |
|
December 23, 1783
Washington resigns from the military and returns to civilian life.
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
January 14, 1784
Congress approves Treaty of Paris.
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
February 29, 1784
Jefferson writes that John Adam's reception in London "was not a kind one."
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
April 8, 1784
British-backed Indian raids in Ohio Valley violate Treaty of Paris.
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
July 1, 1784
RI rejects impost amendment to Articles of Confederation.
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
August 24, 1784
Congress refuses statehood to a group of counties trying to secede from NC.
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
October 3, 1784
US begins dictating treaties to Indians.
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
November 18, 1784
PA abolitionist James Pemberton writes: "the case of the oppressed blacks commands our attention."
|
|
| 1784 |
| |
|
December 5, 1784
d. Phillis Wheatley, African-American poet and former slave.
|
|
| 1785 |
| |
|
February 24, 1785
John Adams demands British withdrawal from American soil, per Treaty of Paris.
|
|
| 1785 |
| |
|
March 25, 1785
Jefferson proposes national coinage system.
|
|
| 1785 |
| |
|
July 6, 1785
The Confederation Congress approves a currency system with the dollar as its basic unit.
Related
Web Site
|
|
| 1786 |
| |
|
January 16, 1786
VA adopts Jefferson's Statute for Religious Freedom.
|
|
| 1786 |
| |
|
August 8, 1786
Cont'l Congress adopts "dollar" as monetary standard.
|
|
| 1786 |
| |
|
September 14, 1786
Annapolis Convention called to reform commercial regulations.
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
January 1, 1787
Benjamin Rush publishes Thoughts Upon Female Education
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
February 21, 1787
Congress calls for convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
April 2, 1787
d. Thomas Gage British Commander in Chief.
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
May 17, 1787
Delegates meet in Philadelphia to revise Articles of Confederation (Constitutional Convention).
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
July 13, 1787
Passage of the Ordinance of 1787.
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
September 12, 1787
Elbridge Gerry and George Mason propose a "Bill of Rights."
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
October 27, 1787
First of Federalist Papers published in NY.
|
|
| 1787 |
| |
|
December 7, 1787
Delaware becomes first state to ratify Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
January 2, 1788
Georgia ratifies the Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
February 6, 1788
Massachusetts ratifies Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
April 24, 1788
Rhode Island's vote reject Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
May 23, 1788
South Carolina ratifies Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
June 21, 1788
New Hampshire ratifies Constitution (gaining the necessary two-thirds majority).
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
July 26, 1788
New York is eleventh state to ratify Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
August 2, 1788
NC's first ratifying convention rejects Constitution.
|
|
| 1788 |
| |
|
October 10, 1788
Last day of Congress under Articles of Confederation.
|
|
| 1789 |
| |
|
January 4, 1789
d. Thomas Nelson, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1789 |
| |
|
February 4, 1789
Washington elected first president of US.
|
|
| 1789 |
| |
|
March 4, 1789
First Federal Congress delayed for lack of quorum.
|
|
| 1789 |
| |
|
April 1, 1789
Washington likens becoming president to "a culprit … going to the place of his execution."
|
|
| 1789 |
| |
|
September 24, 1789
Judiciary Act establishes federal court system.
|
|
| 1790 |
| |
|
April 17, 1790
d. Benjamin Franklin
|
|
| 1790 |
| |
|
December 6, 1790
Philadelphia becomes nation's capital.
|
|
| 1792 |
| |
|
August 4, 1792
d. John Burgoyne
|
|
| 1793 |
| |
|
October 8, 1793
d. John Hancock
|
|
| 1795 |
| |
|
May 19, 1795
d. Josiah Bartlett, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1798 |
| |
|
August 21, 1798
d. James Wilson, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1799 |
| |
|
December 14, 1799
d. George Washington
|
|
| 1802 |
| |
|
May 22, 1802
d. Martha Washington
|
|
| 1803 |
| |
|
October 2, 1803
d. Samuel Adams
|
|
| 1804 |
| |
|
July 12, 1804
d. Alexander Hamilton
|
|
| 1805 |
| |
|
October 5, 1805
d. Charles Cornwallis
|
|
| 1806 |
| |
|
April 10, 1806
d. Horatio Gates, American General.
|
|
| 1806 |
| |
|
May 8, 1806
d. Robert Morris, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1806 |
| |
|
October 25, 1806
d. Henry Knox
|
|
| 1814 |
| |
|
November 23, 1814
d. Elbridge Gerry, signer of Declaration.
|
|
| 1816 |
| |
|
August 12, 1816
d. Mary Katherine Goddard, first American woman to publish a newspaper (Baltimore Journal).
|
|
| 1816 |
| |
|
November 6, 1816
d. Gouverneur Morris, patriot and diplomat.
|
|
| 1818 |
| |
|
October 28, 1818
d. Abigail Adams
|
|
| 1820 |
| |
|
September 26, 1820
d. Daniel Boone
|
|
| 1822 |
| |
|
May 8, 1822
d. John Stark, American Major General.
|
|
| 1826 |
| |
|
July 4, 1826
Adams and Jefferson die within hours of each other.
|
|
| 1827 |
| |
|
April 29, 1827
d. Deborah Sampson, who dressed as a man to enlist in Continental Army.
|
|
| 1832 |
| |
|
January 22, 1832
d. Mary McCauley ("Molly Pitcher"), American heroine of the Revolution.
|
|
| 1836 |
| |
|
June 28, 1836
d. James Madison
|
|
| 1849 |
| |
|
July 12, 1849
d. Dolley Madison
|
|
| 1854 |
| |
|
November 9, 1854
d. Elizabeth Hamilton
|
|
