History 21-30

22. The American Revolution

1775-1783 War in which the United States of America won its independence from Great Britain and was no longer a British colony. Also called the Revolutionary War.

23. April 19, 1775

Beginning date of the American Revolution. Battle of Lexington and Concord occurs on this day.

24. George Washington

Commander of the rebelling colonists' army called the Continental Army and 1st president of the new United States of America.

26. July 4, 1776

Date officially recognized as the birthdate of the United States. The Declaration of Independece was adopted this day by the Second Continental Congress, which is why The Declaration is titled with the words "In Congress July 4, 1776"

21. Battle of Lexington and Concord

Lexington and Concord are 2 towns northwest of Boston, MA. At dawn on April 19, 1775 local militia met the oncoming British force at Lexington. Shots were fired. The battle continued to neighboring Concord and the British were chased back to Boston. This is the opening battle of the American Revolution. The first shot at Lexington has been nicknamed "The shot heard 'round the world."

25. Declaration of Independence

Official document announcing the 13 colonies' independence from Great Britain. The document denounces George III as a tyrant and declares that all men are equal, have rights, and can form their own governments.

30. The U. S. A.

Our nation, formed when English colonists rebelled against British tyranny, declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776 and won it by defeating the British Army in the American Revolution. The U. S. A. was officially recognized as a separate nation in the Treaty of Paris 1783.

28. Battle of Yorktown

Seige and battle at Yorktown, VA ending October 19, 1781 with the British surrender to the Continental Army under Washington. This is the last major battle of the American Revolution. The United States won the war.

29. Treaty of Paris 1783

The official Peace Treaty of the American Revolution. The United States was recognized as its own country by the British.

27. Thomas Jefferson

Virginia planter, delegate to the Second Continental Congress, and author of Declaration of Independence. 3rd President of the USA.