American Revolution Timeline

American Revolution Timeline
AMERICAN REVOLUTION TIMELINE

* * * The twenty year period from 1763 until 1783 * * *
1763
February 10, 1763 - Treaty of Paris ending French and Indian War
October, 1763 - Proclamation of 1763 prohibits western settlement
1764
April 5, 1764 - Sugar Act enacted to defray cost of recent war
Various - Customs Office reforms to tighten enforcement of trade laws
April 19, 1764 - Currency Act restricts issuance of paper money in colonies
May 1764 - James Otis raises cry of "no taxation without representation"
August 1764 - Bostonians boycott British-made luxuries
1765
March 22, 1765 - Stamp Act passed as first "direct tax" on American colonies
March 24, 1765 - Quartering Act passed for maintaining British troops in America
May, 1765 - Patrick Henry delivers "treason" speech in the Virginia House of Burgesses
June, 1765 - Massachusetts sends Circular Letter to organize opposition to Stamp Act
August 14, 1765 - Sons of Liberty terrorize Andrew Oliver in Boston
August 26, 1765 - Looting of Thomas Hutchinson house by Sons of Liberty
October 7-25, 1765 - Stamp Act Congress meets in New York City
November 1, 1765 - Effective date for Stamp Act
Page 1 of 12
November, 1765 - Stamp Act riots in New York City
1766
February 22, 1766 - House of Commons considers repeal of Stamp Act (House approval
March 4; Lords on March 17)
March 18, 1766 - Declaratory Act approved in wake of Stamp Act repeal
August, 1766 - Riots in New York City over enforcement of Quartering Act
December, 1766 - New York assembly suspended
1767
June – July, 1767 - Townshend Acts passed: New York Restraining Act, Customs Service
Reform, Townshend Duty Act
October, 1767 - Boycott of British luxury items in Boston
December 2, 1767 - First installment of John Dickinson's Letters
1768
February 11, 1768 - Samuel Adams and James Otis' circular letter opposing Townshend
Acts sent to colonial assemblies
April, 1768 - Temporary crisis over John Hancock's ship, Lydia
May, 1768 - British warship arrives in Boston harbor to protect threatened customs officials
June 10, 1768 - Customs officials seize Hancock's Liberty
July, 1768 - Massachusetts assembly suspended for refusing to rescind Circular Letter
October 1, 1768 - British troops occupy Boston
Page 2 of 12
1769
May, 1769 - Virginia Resolves of George Mason oppose British policies; governor closes
House of Burgesses
Throughout 1769 – Non-importation agreements spread to Pennsylvania, Virginia,

Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina
1770
January 16-18, 1770 - Sons of Liberty v. Redcoats in New York City ends in Battle of
Golden Hill
March 5, 1770 - Boston Massacre followed by removal of troops from city
April 12, 1770 - Repeal of Townshend Duties except for tax on tea
October – December 1770 - John Adams' defense of Capt. Preston and troops
1772
June 9-10, 1772 - Gaspee affair in Narragansett Bay
November, 1772 - Boston Committee of Correspondence formed
1773
March, 1773 - Virginia creates Committee of Correspondence
May 10, 1773 - Tea Act into effect
December 16, 1773 - Boston Tea Party
1774
January 29, 1774 - Benjamin Franklin scolded by Privy Council in London
Page 3 of 12
March 31, 1774 - Coercive Acts (initial), Boston Port Act Measure labeled as "Intolerable
Acts" in colonies
May 13, 1774 - Boston boycott; Thomas Gage replaces Hutchinson; additional troops arrive
May 20, 1774 - Coercive Acts (additional), Massachusetts Government Act, Administration
of Justice Act
June 2, 1774 - Coercive Acts (additional), Quartering Act (revised)
June 22, 1774 - Quebec Act (Regarded in America as Intolerable Act)
July 18, 1774 - Fairfax Resolves adopted by Virginia convention
September 5, 1774 - First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia (adjourns Oct.

26)
September 9, 1774 - Suffolk Resolves adopted in Massachusetts
September 17, 1774 - Congress urges defiance of Coercive Acts and formation of militias
October 10, 1774 - Battle of Point Pleasant
October 14, 1774 - Congress approves Declaration of Rights and Grievances
October 20, 1774 - Continental Association formed to enforce boycotts
1775
February 9, 1775 - Parliament declares American colonies in state of rebellion
March 23, 1775 - Patrick Henry's "liberty or death" speech
March 30, 1775 - New England Restraining Act
April 18, 1775 - Revere and others warn of British move
April 19,1775 - The first shots of the Revolutionary War are fired at Lexington,
Massachusetts. Word spreads through the east and thousands volunteer for the Continental
Army. The British march to Concord, Massachusetts where they are picked apart by snipers.
April 23, 1775 - The Provincial Congress of Massachusetts orders the mobilization of 13,600
troops. Thousands of men from throughout the colonies descend upon Boston to partake in
its defense.
Page 4 of 12
May 10, 1775 - The second Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia. The Continental
Army is officially formed and George Washington is named Commander-in-Chief.
May 10, 1775 - Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys capture Fort Ticonderoga on the
shores of Lake Champlain. The fort was crucial for British communication with Canada and
contained heavy artillery and cannons - which the Patriots dragged to Boston.
June 17, 1775 - British forces attack the Patriots at the heavily fortified Breed's Hill in
Boston. The Battle becomes known as Bunker Hill, despite the fact that most of the fighting
took place on Breed's Hill. British forces drive the Patriots to retreat, but suffer over 1,000
casualties.
July 3, 1775 - Washington arrives in Massachusetts and assumes duty as Commander-in-

Chief. Most of his army, however, are untrained undisciplined farmers, artisans and workers.
July 6, 1775 - Congress drafts the Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up
Arms which details the colonists' reasons for fighting the British and states that Americans
are "resolved to die free men rather than live as slaves."
November 28, 1775 - America establishes its first navy and seeks assistance from foreign
nations.
December 23, 1775 - King George III closes all American colonies to foreign trade effective
in March, 1776.
1776
January 6, 1776 - New Hampshire adopts the first American state constitution.
January 9, 1776 - Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense". The 50 page pamphlet is
critical of King George and states the benefits of an independent America. Common Sense
instantly becomes a best seller in America.
March 4-17, 1776 - American forces capture Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts which lies
on a hill above Boston. Patriots strategically place a cannon, dragged from Fort Ticonderoga,
on top of the hill, pointed at the British. British forces evacuate Boston and set sail for
Halifax. George Washington, fearing an attack on New York City, rushes to set up defense.
April 6, 1776 - Continental Congress declares all shipping ports open to foreign traffic
except the British. They also recommend the disarming of all Loyalists.
May 2, 1776 - The kings of Spain and France promise to help America in the quest for
independence. King Louis XVI of France gives 1,000,000 dollars worth of supplies and
munitions.
May 10, 1776 - Continental Congress authorizes its colonies to form local governments.
Page 5 of 12
June 11, 1776 - Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration of independence from
England. Thomas Jefferson is chosen to write the declaration.
June 28, 1776 - Patriot forces inflict serious damage on a fleet of British ships off of Fort
Moultrie, South Carolina.
June 28, 1776 - The Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson is presented
to congress. Congress approves.
July 1776 - British forces receive massive reinforcements from England. 30,000 soldiers and
1,200 cannons arrive for the British at New York Harbor.
July 4, 1776 - The Declaration of Independence is ratified and sent to all 13 colonies.
August 27-29, 1776 American forces under George Washington are routed by 15,000 troops
under the command of British General Howe. Americans are forced to retreat to Brooklyn
Heights and are faced with disaster. Later that night, Washington evacuates his troops across
the East River to Harlem Heights. The British fail to pursue and Washington has time to
change his tactics.
September 11, 1776 - British and American officials meet for a peace conference at Staten
Island, NY. British Lord Richard Howe demands the cancellation of the Declaration of
Independence. American officials, including Benjamin Franklin, refuse.
September 16, 1776 - General Washington and Patriot troops defeat British forces in a
small battle at Harlem Heights, NY. Soon after, a fire breaks out in New York City and
destroys over 300 buildings.
September 22, 1776 - Nathan Hale is executed by the British for spying on their troops. His
famous final words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country".
October 11, 1776 - The newly formed American Navy is crushed by British forces at the
Battle of Valcour Bay on Lake Champlain. Most of America's naval forces are destroyed.
October 28, 1776 - Patriot forces under General George Washington are routed at the Battle
of White Plains. Washington is forced to retreat westward.
November 1776 - Patriot forces under George Washington suffer a terrible defeat at the
hands of British General Howe at the Battle of Fort Washington in Manhattan. Casualties
number over 3,000 for Washington's Continental Army. He also loses cannons and thousands
of military supplies and is forced to retreat toward the Delaware River. British General
Cornwallis, who took Fort Lee, New Jersey during the battle pursues.
December 6, 1776 - British forces take Newport, Rhode Island.
December 11, 1776 - Washington's troops cross the Delaware River and enter Pennsylvania.
December 12, 1776 - Fearing a British attack, congress abandons Philadelphia and heads
for Baltimore.
Page 6 of 12
December 26, 1776 - General George Washington and Continental Army cross the icy
Delaware River and ambush 800 astonished Hessian (German mercenaries) at 4:00 in the
morning. All Hessians are captured. "Washington's Crossing", as it came to be known,
improved the morale of the army but was somewhat inconsequential in the war itself.
1777
January 1-3 1777 - Washington and his army defeat British forces at Princeton, N.J. and
drive them northeast to New Brunswick. Washington sets up a winter encampment at
Morristown, N.J. where his army is reduced by the cold weather and bad conditions. When
the weather improves, 9,000 new troops volunteer.
April 27, 1777 - Patriot forces under General Benedict Arnold defeats British forces at
Ridgefield, Connecticut.
June 14, 1777 - A new flag with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes is mandated by congress.
John Paul Jones is chosen the Captain of ”Ranger,” an 18 vessel ship, with plans to make
raids on England's coastal towns.
June 17, 1777 - The British plan to separate New England from the rest of the colonies
commences. British General John Burgoyne and his army of 7,700 redcoats descends to
Albany from Canada and plans to join General William Howe and forces marching north from
New York City.
July 6, 1777 - British General Burgoyne's forces easily take Fort Ticonderoga, an important
northern stronghold, on the shores of Lake Champlain in New York.
July 23, 1777 - British General William Howe makes a serious tactical error. Instead of
meeting Burgoyne near Albany, he decides to sail toward the Chesapeake Bay and invade the
Patriot capital - Philadelphia.
July 27, 1777 - Marquis de Lafayette arrives in Philadelphia and becomes a major general in
the Continental Army at age 19.
August 1, 1777 - Burgoyne's British forces reach the Hudson River.
August 6, 1777 - British forces route Patriots under General Nicholas Herkimer at Oriskany,
NY.
August 16, 1777 - Patriot forces defeat a detachment of Burgoyne's army at Bennington (in
present day Vermont) who were trying to steal horses.
September 9-11, 1777 - General George Washington and men meet British General William
Howe and British forces at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania. Washington's army of over
10,000 men is forced back toward Philadelphia. Both sides suffer heavy losses.
Page 7 of 12
September 26, 1777 - William Howe's and British forces occupy Philadelphia. Congress is
forced to evacuate the city and head to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
October 7, 1777 - American forces earn their first major victory of the war at Saratoga, NY
(near Albany) under Generals Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates. If British General William
Howe would have followed through with the plan to meet Burgoyne, rather than occupy
Philadelphia, the Continental Army likely would have fallen.
October 17, 1777 - General Burgoyne's army of 5,700 hundred men are forced to surrender
to Patriot general Horatio Gates. British soldiers are shipped back to England as word of the
Patriot victory spreads through Europe. As a result of the British surrender, France
recognizes America's independence.
November 15, 1777 - Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation as the new government
of the United States of America pending the approval of the 13 states. Congress is now the
sole authority over the government.
December 17, 1777 - George Washington sets up winter encampment at Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania. Disease and frigid temperatures decimate the camp. Morale is low until
German General Baron Von Stueben is brought to train the people to be soldiers.
1778
February 6, 1778 - France and the United States sign treaties of alliances. France became a
strong partner in the quest for American independence and provided most of the Patriot
military supplies. France further pledged to help fight Britain until American independence
could be gained. Britain and France then declare war on each other when British ships fire
upon a French fleet. Britain would now find themselves fighting not only in North America,
but in Europe, Asia and Africa as well.
February 23, 1778 - Baron Von Steuben arrives at miserable Valley Forge and provides
indispensable military training to Americans spending the winter there.
March 16, 1778 - British peace commission sent to Philadelphia offers to repeal all taxes
and submit to all American demands except independence. Proposed compromise is rejected
by Congress.
June 18, 1778 - British forces withdraw from Philadelphia, fearing a naval blockade by
French fleets. General Henry Clinton and British forces cross New Jersey on their way to New
York City. Patriot General George Washington sends troops after him.
June 27-28, 1778 - Clinton and Washington's armies meet at Monmouth, New Jersey. The
battle was inconclusive, but American General Charles Lee orders a retreat, which allows
Clinton's army to continue to New York City.
Page 8 of 12
July 3, 1778 - Patriot residents of Wyoming Valley in northern Pennsylvania are massacred
by loyalists and Indians.
July 8, 1778 - General Washington moves headquarters to West Point, New York
November 11, 1778 - American settlers are once again massacred by Indians and loyalists at
Cherry Valley, New York
December 29, 1778 - British forces begin their campaign in the southern colonies. They
quickly score major victories at Charleston and Savannah and succeed in occupying all of
Georgia. Battles in the southern interior are successful for the British but result in heavy
casualties.
1779
May 10, 1779 - The British continue their southern campaign by burning Portsmouth and
Norfolk, Virginia.
June 16, 1779 - Spain declares war on Great Britain.
July 5, 1779 - Loyalists burn Connecticut towns of Norwalk, Fairfield and New Haven.
August 29, 1779 - American forces defeat Indian and Loyalist forces at Elmira, New York.
They proceed to burn Iroquois villages in retaliation for the massacres on American settlers.
September 3 - October 28, 1779 - U.S. forces are defeated at Savannah and suffer massive
casualties.
September 23, 1779 - John Paul Jones defeats a British fleet off the coast of England.
Despite initial failure, when his unconditional surrender is demanded by British forces, Jones
utters the famous words "I have not yet begun to fight". He then captures the British ship
before his own sinks.
October 17, 1779 - General George Washington sets up winter quarters at Morristown, New
Jersey. His army suffers another brutal winter which results in death, disease, low morale,
and at least one attempted mutiny.
1780
April 8, 1780 - May 12, 1780 - British General Henry Clinton arrives at Charleston, South
Carolina from New York with 8,000 men. A month later, the British promptly take Fort
Moultrie, South Carolina and then begin bombarding Charleston Harbor. American forces
suffer their worse loss of the war, and are forced to surrender their entire southern army of
5,400 men on May 12.
Page 9 of 12
May 25, 1780 - General Washington is threatened with mutiny at his Morristown, N.J.
winter camp. Two armed soldiers march through camp and demand payment (which is
overdue by five months). Pennsylvania soldiers put down the revolt, and two of its leaders are
hanged.
June 11, 1780 - A new Massachusetts constitution is endorsed which calls for the freedom of
slaves.
June 13, 1780 - General Horatio Gates is placed in command of the southern army.
July 11, 1780 - 6,000 French troops under the command of Count de Rochambeau arrive at
Newport, Rhode Island. They are forced to remain there for nearly a year because of a
blockade formed by the British fleet.
August 3, 1780 - Benedict Arnold is placed in command at Washington's West Point

headquarters. Unfortunately, Arnold has been collaborating with British General Henry
Clinton for over a year concerning Washington's position.
August 16, 1780 - 900 American soldiers are killed and 1,000 captured by British General
Charles Cornwallis in South Carolina.
September 23, 1780 - Benedict Arnold is revealed as a spy and his plans to surrender West
Point to the British are exposed. Arnold flees from West Point and joins the British army as a
brigadier general.
October 7, 1780 - American forces capture 1,000 of Cornwallis' men in North Carolina.
Cornwallis abandons his attempt to invade the state.
October 14, 1780 - General Nathaniel Greene replaces Horatio Gates as commander of the
southern army. Greene promptly rallies support by pursuing Cornwallis' army on a wild chase
through the wilderness of the Carolinas and Virginia. As a result, Cornwallis' army is battered,
fatigued, and low on supplies.
1781
January 17, 1781 - American forces under Daniel Morgan defeat British forces at Cowpens,
S.C.
March 15, 1781 - General Charles Cornwallis' and his army of over 10,000 invade Guilford
Courthouse, N.C. They suffer horrible casualties however, and fail to follow the retreat of the
Patriots. Cornwallis decides to leave the Carolinas and lead his entire army into Virginia to
conquer the state.
June 10, 1781 - American troops under Marquis de Lafayette, Gen. Anthony Wayne and
Baron von Steuben form a combined force in Virginia to oppose British forces under Benedict
Arnold and Gen. Cornwallis.
Page 10 of 12
June 11, 1781 - Congress appoints a Peace Commission of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas
Jefferson, John Jay and Henry Laurens.
August 1, 1781 - General Cornwallis' army chooses Yorktown, Virginia as a resting place. He
then establishes a base to communicate by sea with Henry Clinton's forces in New York.
August 14, 1781 - General George Washington abandons a proposed attack on the British in
New York City after learning that French Admiral Count de Grasse, 29 ships, and 3,000
French soldiers were heading south along the Chesapeake Bay. Washington then coordinates
with Gen. Rochambeau to send troops south to Virginia to destroy the British position in
Yorktown.
August 30, 1781 - Count de Grasse's French fleet arrives off Yorktown, Virginia. De Grasse
then lands troops near Yorktown, linking with Lafayette's American troops to cut Cornwallis
off from retreat by land.
September 5-8, 1781 - British naval forces under Thomas Graves engage the superior
French naval forces under Count de Grasse off the coast of Yorktown, Virginia. British forces
are forced to retreat to New York for reinforcements leaving the French in complete control of
southern waters. The French Fleet forms a blockade which effectively traps British General
Cornwallis at Yorktown and prevents his retreat by sea.
September 14-24, 1781 - French naval ships are sent north to transport Washington's
Continental Army to Yorktown.
September 28, 1781 - The siege at Yorktown begins. General Washington's army of 17,000
begin encircling the city while French naval forces bombard Cornwallis' army with cannon
fire continuously.
October 17, 1781 - As Yorktown is about to be taken, General Cornwallis begins surrender
negotiations.
October 19, 1781 - General Cornwallis formally surrenders at Yorktown. The British army is
decimated and the war is virtually over.
1782
January 5, 1782 - The British withdraw from North Carolina.
February 27, 1782 - The British House of Commons votes against further war with
America.
April 12, 1782 - Peace talks between Benjamin Franklin and English officials begin in Paris.
June 11, 1782 - The British evacuate Savannah, Georgia.
Page 11 of 12
August 27, 1782 - The last skirmish between the British and Americans occurs near the
Combahee River in South Carolina.
December 14, 1782 - The British evacuate Charleston, South Carolina.
1783
January 20, 1783 - England signs a peace treaty with France and Spain.
February 3, 1783 - Spain, Russia, Sweden and Denmark formally recognize America's
independence.
April 11, 1783 - Congress officially claims an end to the Revolutionary War.
July 8, 1783 - The Supreme Court in Massachusetts abolishes slavery in that state.
June 13, 1783 - The Continental Army disbands.
September 3, 1783 - The United States and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Paris officially
ending the war.
America is free!
Page 12 of 12

American Revolution Timeline

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

American Revolution Timeline

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

American Revolution Timeline

AMERICAN REVOLUTION TIMELINE

October, 1763 - Proclamation of 1763 prohibits western settlement

Various - Customs Office reforms to tighten enforcement of trade laws

August 1764 - Bostonians boycott British-made luxuries

August 14, 1765 - Sons of Liberty terrorize Andrew Oliver in Boston

August 26, 1765 - Looting of Thomas Hutchinson house by Sons of Liberty

November 1, 1765 - Effective date for Stamp Act

November, 1765 - Stamp Act riots in New York City

December, 1766 - New York assembly suspended

October, 1767 - Boycott of British luxury items in Boston

December 2, 1767 - First installment of John Dickinson's Letters

April, 1768 - Temporary crisis over John Hancock's ship, Lydia

June 10, 1768 - Customs officials seize Hancock's Liberty

October 1, 1768 - British troops occupy Boston

Throughout 1769 – Non-importation agreements spread to Pennsylvania, Virginia,

March 5, 1770 - Boston Massacre followed by removal of troops from city

November, 1772 - Boston Committee of Correspondence formed

May 10, 1773 - Tea Act into effect

December 16, 1773 - Boston Tea Party

June 2, 1774 - Coercive Acts (additional), Quartering Act (revised)

June 22, 1774 - Quebec Act (Regarded in America as Intolerable Act)

July 18, 1774 - Fairfax Resolves adopted by Virginia convention

September 5, 1774 - First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia (adjourns Oct.

September 9, 1774 - Suffolk Resolves adopted in Massachusetts

October 10, 1774 - Battle of Point Pleasant

October 14, 1774 - Congress approves Declaration of Rights and Grievances

October 20, 1774 - Continental Association formed to enforce boycotts

March 23, 1775 - Patrick Henry's "liberty or death" speech

March 30, 1775 - New England Restraining Act

April 18, 1775 - Revere and others warn of British move

July 3, 1775 - Washington arrives in Massachusetts and assumes duty as Commander-in-

December 6, 1776 - British forces take Newport, Rhode Island.

August 1, 1777 - Burgoyne's British forces reach the Hudson River.

June 16, 1779 - Spain declares war on Great Britain.

August 3, 1780 - Benedict Arnold is placed in command at Washington's West Point

June 11, 1782 - The British evacuate Savannah, Georgia.

December 14, 1782 - The British evacuate Charleston, South Carolina.

June 13, 1783 - The Continental Army disbands.

You might also like