AP/Honors American Studies
Mrs. Civitella revised 2008
Timeline of the American Revolution
May 1774
April 1775May 1775
May 10, 1775
June 15, 1775
June 1775
July 1775
August 1775
September 1775
October 1775
December 1775
January 1776
January 1776
March 1776
June 28, 1776
July 2, 1775
July 2, 1776
July 4, 1776
Sept. 17, 1776
First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Ethan Allen and his “Green Mountain Boys” from Vermont joined Benedict Arnold with some Connecticut
militia to capture Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. The Patriots were able to seize British ammunition and
transport it to Boston
43 delegates from each of the 13 colonies meet in Philadelphia, PA to begin the Second Continental
Congress
the Second Continental Congress votes to raise a Continental Army and elects George Washington as
Commander in Chief
Battle of Bunker Hill- Americans outnumbered, retreat after running out of ammunition
the Second Continental Congress issues the “Olive Branch Petition”
George III declares the colonies to be in rebellion- making skirmishes a treasonous crime
George III hires thousands of German Hessians to stop the American rebellion
British burn Falmouth, Maine
Americans fail in their attempt at invading Quebec
British set fire to Norfolk, VA
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
Evacuation Day- British are forced to evacuate Boston
Colonists beat British at the Battle of Charleston Harbor, SC forcing the British to suspend operations in the
south for the next two years
British General Sir William Howe lands an army at Staten Island, NY amassing 35,000 troops
Congress passes the Lee Resolution
Congress passes the Declaration of Independence
Congress approves the Model Treaty
Fall of 1776
Dec. 26, 1776
Jan. 3, 1777
July, 1777
Sept. 1777
Sept. 1777
Oct. 1777
Oct. 17, 1777
Dec. 1777
Feb. 6, 1778
Feb. 1778
July 1778
July 1778
Jan. 1779
June 1779
Sept 1779
Feb. 1780
July 1780
August 1780
1780-1781
October 1781
February 1782
Sept. 3, 1783
Americans are defeated at the Battle of Long Island
Battle of Trenton is an American victory- Washington took over 900 prisoners and ammunition
Battle of Princeton is an American victory- two successful battles gave new hope to the Americans
Marquis de Lafayette arrives in America and joins the Continental Army
Battle of Brandywine is an American defeat which forces congress to flee Philadelphia
British occupy Philadelphia
Washington is defeated at the Battle of Germantown
American victory at the Battle of Saratoga- 5,700 British surrender- resulting in formal French
recognition of American Independence
Washington sets up his winter headquarters at Valley Forge, PA
Franco-American treaties of alliance are signed
Prussian Baron Von Steuben arrives and assists in training the Continental force at Valley Forge
Continental Army headquarters are established at West Point, NY
Articles of Confederation are signed by Congress
British forces capture Augusta, GA
Spain declares war on Great Britain, but makes no American alliances
American and French forces are defeated at Savannah, GA
British fleet carrying 8,000 men from NY arrive in Charleston, SC
French send 5,000 troops to Newport, RI
Benedict Arnold is appointed commander of West Point
Cornwallis, Washington, and Lafayette at Yorktown
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
House of Commons votes against waging further war in America
Treaty of Paris is signed