American Revolution Timeline of Events

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American Revolution

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...

Timeline of Events

1739

9.9.1739

Stono Rebellion, the largest slave uprising in Britain's mainland North American colonies prior to the American Revolution, erupts near Charleston, South Carolina.

1766

3.18.1766

American Revolution: The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act.

1771

5.16.1771

The Battle of Alamance, a pre-American Revolutionary War battle between local militia and a group of rebels called "The Regulators", occurs in present-day Alamance County, North Carolina.

1773

12.16.1773

American Revolution: Boston Tea Party

1775

4.18.1775

American Revolution: The British advancement by sea begins; Paul Revere and other riders warn the countryside of the troop movements.

5.31.1775

American Revolution: The Mecklenburg Resolutions adopted in the Province of North Carolina

6.12.1775

American Revolution: British general Thomas Gage declares martial law in Massachusetts. The British offer a pardon to all colonists who lay down their arms. There would be only two exceptions to the amnesty: Samuel Adams and John Hancock, if captured, were to be hanged.

10.26.1775

King George III goes before Parliament to declare the American colonies in rebellion, and authorized a military response to quell the American Revolution.

1776

3.17.1776

American Revolution: British forces evacuate Boston, Massachusetts after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city.

4.12.1776

American Revolution: With the Halifax Resolves, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorizes its Congressional delegation to vote for independence from Britain.

5.15.1776

American Revolution: the Virginia Convention instructs its Continental Congress delegation to propose a resolution of independence from Great Britain, paving the way for the United States Declaration of Independence.

7.4.1776

American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

9.22.1776

Nathan Hale is hanged for spying during American Revolution.

10.11.1776

American Revolution: Battle of Valcour Island

10.26.1776

Benjamin Franklin departs from America for France on a mission to seek French support for the American Revolution.

11.16.1776

American Revolution: The United Provinces (Low Countries) recognize the independence of the United States.

1777

9.26.1777

British troops occupy Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the American Revolution.

1778

2.23.1778

American Revolution: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to help to train the Continental Army.

5.1.1778

American Revolution: The Battle of Crooked Billet begins in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.

7.10.1778

American Revolution: Louis XVI of France declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain.

7.27.1778

American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant

1779

9.23.1779

American Revolution: a squadron commanded by John Paul Jones on board the USS Bonhomme Richard wins the Battle of Flamborough Head, off the coast of England, against two British warships.

9.28.1779

American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding John Jay.

1780

1.16.1780

American Revolution: Battle of Cape St. Vincent.

6.23.1780

American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly of Springfield, now of Millburn Township).

1783

4.18.1783

Fighting ceases in the American Revolution, eight years to the day since it began.

5.26.1783

A Great Jubilee Day is held in Trumbull, Connecticut to celebrate the end of the American Revolution.