1775-1783
Revolutionary War Era (1775-1783)
The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775 with fighting at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The thirteen British colonies declared independence on July 4, 1776, articulating principles of natural rights and self-governance. After eight years of conflict — fought across the Atlantic seaboard, the frontier, and at sea — the Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized the United States as an independent nation.
263
documented events
2
sovereignty transitions
The Revolution drew in France, Spain, and the Netherlands as American allies against Britain. Indigenous nations were drawn into the conflict, with most siding with the British Crown, which had issued the Proclamation of 1763 limiting westward colonial expansion. The war's end left these nations without treaty protections as the new republic pushed westward.
Events (263)
View all ›1772
Watauga-Cherokee 10-Year Land Lease
Tennessee · Treaty
1772
Formation of the Watauga Association
Tennessee · Founding
1774
Raid on Fort William and Mary
New Hampshire · Battle
1774
First Assembly of Freemen Convention in Maryland
Maryland · Other
1775
George Rogers Clark Takes Illinois Region for Virginia
Illinois · Transition Of Power
1775
Failed American Invasion of Canada
New York · Expedition
1775
New York Provincial Congress Assumes Government
New York · Transition Of Power
1775
British Parliament Declares Massachusetts in Rebellion
Massachusetts · Other
1775
Second Provincial Congress Meets in Savannah
Georgia · Other
1775
Patriots Storm Royal Magazine at Savannah
Georgia · Other
1775
First Battle of Ninety Six
South Carolina · Battle
1775
Transylvania Purchase from Cherokee
Virginia · Treaty
1775
Dunmore Proclaims Virginia in Rebellion
Virginia · Other
1775
Battle of Machias — Capture of HMS Margaretta
Maine · Battle
1775
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Massachusetts · Battle
1775
Transylvania Purchase from Cherokee
Kentucky · Treaty
1775
Wilderness Road Cut and Boonesborough Founded
Kentucky · Founding
1775
Wilderness Road Blazed Through Cumberland Gap
Kentucky · Expedition
1775
Lexington, Kentucky Founded and Named
Kentucky · Founding
1775
New Jersey Provincial Congress First Meets
New Jersey · Founding
1775
Battle of Kemp's Landing
Maryland · Battle
1775
Battle of Great Bridge on the Elizabeth River
Maryland · Battle
1775
Connecticut Troops at Battle of Bunker Hill
Connecticut · Battle
1775
Treaty of Fort Pitt with the Lenape
Ohio · Treaty
1775
Heceta Finds Mouth of Columbia River
Oregon · Expedition
1775
Dunmore Orders Gunpowder Removed from Williamsburg
Virginia · Other
1775
Battle of Great Bridge
Virginia · Battle
1775
Virginia Becomes Commonwealth
Virginia · Transition Of Power
1775
Dunmore's Proclamation Freeing Slaves
Virginia · Legislation
1775
New Hampshire Provincial Congress Raises Volunteer Force
New Hampshire · Other
1775
Washington District Committee of Safety Created
Tennessee · Founding
1775
Washington District Formed and Annexed by North Carolina
Tennessee · Transition Of Power
1775
Provincial Congress at Tondee's Tavern
Georgia · Other
1775
Battle of Bunker Hill – CT Troops
Connecticut · Battle
1775
Sons of Liberty Raid Savannah Powder Magazine
Georgia · Other
1775
Second Continental Congress Forms Continental Army
Delaware · Founding
1775
Battle of Bunker Hill
Massachusetts · Battle
1775
Falmouth Burned by Royal Navy
Maine · Battle
1775
Gunpowder Incident at Williamsburg
Virginia · Other
1776
Continental Congress Meets in Baltimore
Maryland · Other
1776
John Dickinson Writes Articles of Confederation
Pennsylvania · Legislation
1776
Fincastle County Abolished, Kentucky County Created
Kentucky · Legislation
1776
Second Continental Congress Meets in Baltimore
Maryland · Other
1776
Baltimore Serves as Temporary Colonial Capital
Maryland · Other
1776
Captain Cook Encounters Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii · Expedition
1776
Battle of Long Island and British Capture of New York City
New York · Battle
1776
New York Endorses Declaration of Independence
New York · Other
1776
British Recapture New York City
New York · Battle
1776
Battle of Long Island: Continental Army Defeat
New York · Battle
1776
Battle of Fort Washington: British Take Manhattan
New York · Battle
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About the Revolutionary Era
What was the Revolutionary Era?
The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775 with fighting at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The thirteen British colonies declared independence on July 4, 1776, articulating principles of natural rights and self-governance. After eight years of conflict — fought across the Atlantic seaboard, the frontier, and at sea — the Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized the United States as an independent nation.
When was the Revolutionary Era?
The Revolutionary Era covers 1775-1783.
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