People & Groups
He led the Continental Army as commander-in-chief after the Second Continental Congress chose him.
George Washington
He is seen as the Declaration of Independence's main author.
Thomas Jefferson
This 1775 battle (outside Boston) forced the British to retreat to the city and showed colonial marksmanship.
Concord
On what date did Congress adopt the final version of the Declaration of Independence?
July 4, 1776
He warned colonial towns that the British were coming and made a famous midnight ride.
Paul Revere
The first shots of the American Revolution between British troops and Massachusetts Minutemen were fired here.
Lexington
This 1775 battle was costly for the Americans but showed the British would pay dearly to take ground.
Bunker Hill
This pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in 1776 persuaded many colonists to support independence.
"Common Sense"
This group met in Philadelphia in 1774 to respond to the Intolerable Acts.
First Continental Congress
It was here that the Continental Army endure extreme hardships but also received the much needed training for the battlefield.
Valley Forge
The 1781 siege at Yorktown forced this British general to surrender and ended the war.
Cornwallis
It was the petition the Second Continental Congress sent to King George III as a last attempt to avoid full war.
Olive Branch Petition
This Virginian gave the speech that included "give me liberty or give me death."
Patrick Henry
About one week after the battle of Trenton, the Continental Army struck back at the British again at this battle.
Princeton
This 1777 American victory convinced France to ally with the United States.
Saratoga
In the Declaration of Independence, these are given to us at birth and cannot be taken away.
natural rights
This wealthy, young French officer came to America to offer his money and leadership to the cause. Later, he helped trap Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Marquis de Lafayette
After the Americans captured heavy artillery at Fort Ticonderoga, he transported the guns to Boston where they were used to drive the British out of the city.
Henry Knox
Washington crossed this river on Christmas night 1776 to surprise the Hessians at Trenton.
Delaware River
The "HE" in the Declaration of Independence refers to this man.
King George III