1754–1763

The French and Indian War occurs.

December 16, 1773

Over 300 chests of tea are
dumped into Boston Harbor.

April 19, 1775

The first shots of the American Revolutionary War are fired in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.

December 9, 1775

William Flora is the last to cross
at the Battle of Great Bridge.

January 10, 1776

Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense.

July 2, 1776

The Second Continental Congress votes for independence from Great Britain.

July 4, 1776

The Second Continental Congress approves the text for the Declaration of Independence.

September 7, 1776

The first war submarine, the Turtle, is used in battle.

August 6, 1777

The Oneida Nation helps the Continental Army at the Battle of Oriskany.

February 1778

Rhode Island votes to allow African Americans and Native Americans to join the
1st Rhode Island Regiment.

October 14, 1781

Alexander Hamilton leads his troops at the Battle of Yorktown.

May 23, 1782

Deborah Sampson disguises herself as a man and enlists in the Continental Army.

September 3, 1783

The American Revolutionary War ends.

September 17, 1787

The Constitution of the United States is signed.

April 30, 1789

George Washington becomes the first president of the United States.

July 16, 1790

Washington, D.C., is declared the nation’s capital.