American Revolutionary War Timeline of Major Events

Notable Pre-War Events (1763 - 1769)

End of the Seven Years War

• February 10, 1763: Treaty of Paris concludes the Seven Years War.
  • France cedes North American territories east of the Mississippi to Britain.
  • Leads to new British taxes on colonies.

Passage of the Sugar Act

• April 5, 1763: British Parliament passes the Sugar Act to raise revenue.
  • Replaces the ineffective Molasses Act.
  • Increases tensions leading to the American Revolution.

Pontiac's Rebellion

• May 7, 1763: Pontiac leads attack on Detroit, beginning his rebellion.

Passage of the Currency Act

• September 1, 1763: Prohibits colonial paper money.

Proclamation of 1763

• October 7, 1763: British limit settlement west of the Appalachians.

Sons of Liberty

• 1765: Formation of the Sons of Liberty to protest British policies.

Passage of the Stamp Act

• March 22, 1765: Imposes taxes on paper goods, leading to colonial unrest.

Passage of the Quartering Acts

• March 24, 1765: Requires colonists to house British soldiers.

Virginia Resolves

• May 29, 1765: Asserts that only Virginia's assembly can tax Virginians.

Stamp Act Congress

• October 7, 1765: Declares Stamp Act unconstitutional.

Passage of the Declaratory Act

• March 18, 1766: Affirms Parliament’s authority over the colonies.

Pontiac's Rebellion Ends

• July 25, 1766: Pontiac signs treaty with British.

Passage of Townshend Revenue Act

• June 29, 1767: Series of acts imposing duties on colonies.

British Troops Occupy Boston

• October 1768: Troops sent to enforce Townshend duties.

Notable Pre-War Events (1770 - 1774)

Boston Massacre

• March 5, 1770: Soldiers kill five civilians, escalating tensions.

Townshend Revenue Act Repealed

• April 12, 1770: Repeal of the Townshend Act.

Committees of Correspondence

• 1772: Established to coordinate colonial response.

Burning of the Gaspee

• June 10, 1772: Colonists burn British schooner in protest.

Passage of the Tea Act

• May 10, 1773: Aims to support East India Company, leading to protests.

Boston Tea Party

• December 16, 1773: Colonists dump tea into Boston Harbor.

Passage of the Coercive Acts

• March - June 1774: Punitive laws following the Boston Tea Party.

Continental Congress Meets

• September 1774: Organizes opposition to the Intolerable Acts.

Notable Events of 1775

Patrick Henry's Speech

• March 23, 1775: "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" speech.

War Breaks Out

• April 19, 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Second Continental Congress

• May 10, 1775: Establishes Continental Army, George Washington appointed Commander.

Battle of Bunker Hill

• June 17, 1775: First major battle, heavy British casualties.

Olive Branch Petition

• July 5, 1775: Colonists seek reconciliation with Britain.

American Navy and Marine Corps Established

• October - November 1775: Creation of U.S. naval forces.

Notable Events of 1776

Common Sense Published

• January 9, 1776: Thomas Paine's pamphlet advocates independence.

British Evacuate Boston

• March 17, 1776

Declaration of Independence

• July 4, 1776: Formal declaration of the colonies as independent.

Great Fire of New York

• September 21, 1776: Destruction of 493 homes.

Notable Events of 1777

American Flag Adopted

• June 14, 1777

Valley Forge

• December 19, 1777: Continental Army's winter quarters.

Notable Events of 1778

Alliance with France

• February 6, 1778: France enters the war on the American side.

Notable Events of 1779

Spain Declares War

• June 21, 1779: Joins France against Britain.

Notable Events of 1780

Benedict Arnold's Treason

• September 21, 1780: Plot to surrender West Point discovered.

Notable Events of 1781

Articles of Confederation Ratified

• March 1, 1781: First governing document of the United States.

Notable Events of 1782

Treaty of Paris Signed

• November 30, 1782: Ends the Revolutionary War.

Notable Events of 1783

Official End of War

• September 3, 1783: Treaty of Paris ratifies American independence.

Notable Post-War Events (1784 - 1791)

Treaty of Paris Ratified

• January 14, 1784: Official ratification by Congress.

Constitution Ratified

• 1787 - 1790: All 13 states ratify the U.S. Constitution.

Bill of Rights

• 1791: Ratification of the first ten amendments to the Constitution.