Revolutionary War

The Revolutionary War

• April 19, 1775 - The Revolutionary War officially begins with the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
  
• May 10, 1775 - American forces take the British fort at Ticonderoga, New York.
  
• June 12, 1775 - Second naval Battle of the American Revolution takes place.
  
• June 14, 1775 - The Continental Army is established by the Continental Congress.
  
• June 15, 1775 - George Washington is appointed to Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
  
• June 17, 1775 - British troops win the Battle of Breed's Hill.
  
• August 22, 1775 - King George III officially declares a state of open rebellion in the American colonies.
  
• November 28, 1775 - The Continental Navy is established by the Continental Congress.
  
• December 22, 1775 - Esek Hopkins is appointed to Commodore of the Navy.
  
• July 4, 1776 - The United States declares its Independence from Britain (by approving the Declaration of Independence).
  
• September 6, 1776 - The first submarine, the Turtle, is used in Battle in New York Harbor.
  
• December 25, 1776 - American forces cross the Deleware River and attack British forces at Trenton.
  
• September 19, 1777 - American forces win the first Battle of Saratoga.
  
• December 7, 1777 - The second Battle of Saratoga begins.
  
• December 17, 1777 - American forces win the second Battle of Saratoga.
  
• January 5, 1778 - Naval mines are used for the first time by the Continental Navy.
  
• May 4, 1778 - The Continental Congress ratifies the Treaty of Alliance with France.
  
• July 9, 1778 - The Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation.
  
• February 5, 1778 - South Carolina is the first State to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• July 21, 1778 - North Carolina to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• July 22, 1778 - Pennsylvania to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• July 24, 1778 - Georgia to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• August 8, 1778 - New Hampshire to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• November 26, 1778 - New Jersey to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• May 5, 1779 - Delaware to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• January 30, 1781 - Maryland is the 13th State to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
  
• October 19, 1781 - American/French forces win the Battle of Yorktown.
  
• November 5, 1781 - John Hanson is elected the 1st President of the United States by the Continental Congress.
  
• August 7, 1782 - Gen. George Washington creates the Order of the Purple Heart (for soldiers wounded in battle).
  
• September 3, 1783 - The Treaty of Paris 1783 is signed by Britain and the United States, officially ending the Revolutionary War as the United States is recognized as a sovereign nation.