Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ is Published
It was first published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolution. Common Sense was signed “Written by an Englishman”, and the pamphlet became …
America’s Founding
Benjamin Franklin Article on the Rattlesnake as a Symbol for America
The following letter from “An American Guesser” was published in the Pennsylvania Journal on December 27, 1775. Its author has been identified as Benjamin Franklin. …
King George Establishes ‘The American Prohibitory Act’, Forbidding the Americans from All Trade and Commerce
American Prohibitory Act “It throws thirteen colonies out of the royal protection, levels all distinctions, and makes us independent in spite of our supplications and …
The Olive Branch Petition: A letter from the 2nd Continental Congress to King George to Repeal his Tyrannous Laws
The Olive Branch Petition was issued (shipped by boat) from the American colonies to King George III in England. It proposed a final peace deal with England …
Thomas Jefferson: “We are Reduced to the Alternative of Choosing an Unconditional Submission to Tyranny, or Resistance by Force. The Latter is our Choice!”
The Continental Congress issued A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, Now Met in Congress at Philadelphia, Setting Forth the Causes and …
General Gage gives Ultimatum to Bostonians: Surrender Your Firearms
General Gage finally gave an ultimatum to the Bostonians that they were to surrender their firearms. Anyone that was found in possession of arms would …
Congress Approves General George Washington as the new Commander in Chief
Congress approved the choice of Washington as the new commander in chief, who then read a letter of acceptance. ‘Mr. President, tho’ I am truly …
Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys Capture Fort Ticonderoga in New York from the British
The Green Mountain Boys invaded Fort Ticonderoga in New York and under the leadership of Ethan Allen captured the fort from the British. They demanded the surrender …
The Start of the Revolutionary War: The Battle of Lexington & Concord begins with the Shot Heard ‘Round the World
At Lexington Green, MA, the British were met by approximately seventy American Minute Men led by John Parker in a British attempt to confiscate American …
Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride Warning the Patriots that the British were Coming
Riding through present-day Somerville, Medford, and Arlington, Revere warned patriots along his route, many of whom set out on horseback to deliver warnings of their own. By the …