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Gregorian Calendar
The British and British colonies turn to the Gregorian calendar. -
French and Indian War
The final confrontation in the continuing British-French struggle to control eastern North America. A decisive win over the French on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec was won by the British. -
The Treaty of Paris
The British formally obtained control of Canada and all the French possessions east of the Mississippi with the Treaty of Paris. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers fire on a crowd, killing five men which led to heavy street protests. -
Boston Tea Party
On the Boston harbor, a party of colonial patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians board three ships and throw over 300 tea crates overboard to protest the British tea levy. -
First Continental Congress
In Philadelphia, the First Continental Congress met, with 56 delegates from every colony, except Georgia. -
American Revolution
The War of Independence was undertaken on the eastern seaboard of North America between Great Britain and the 13 British colonies. The fighting began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Mass., between the British Army and colonial minutemen. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was ratified in Philadelphia by the Continental Congress. -
The First United States Flag
The first official flag of the United States was authorized by the Continental Congress. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution, was ratified by the Continental Congress. -
Continental Army in Valley Forge
The battle-weary and destitute Continental Army survives a bitterly cold winter and Spring at Valley Forge, Pa. -
British General Charles Cornwallis Surrenders
At Yorktown, Va., British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. George Washington. -
American Gains its Independence
In the Treaty of Paris, which finally puts the war to a close, Great Britain formally accepts American independence. -
Shays' Rebellion
The uprising of Shays Rebellion erupts; farmers take up arms from New Hampshire to South Carolina to oppose heavy state taxes and strict fines for failing to pay. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention meets in Philadelphia to draft the U.S. Constitution, made up of delegates from 12 of the original 13 colonies. -
First President is Elected
In a poll of state electors, George Washington was overwhelmingly voted president of the United States. -
U.S. Constitution goes into Effect
The U.S. Constitution goes into effect after nine states have ratified it. -
George Washington is Inaugurated
At Federal Hall in New York City, Washington was inaugurated as president. -
First Census
The first census of the country reveals that the population has climbed to almost 4 million. -
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, have been ratified. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney dramatically expanded the need for slave labor. -
John Adams Inaugurated as President
John Adams is inaugurated in Philadelphia as the second president.
