(Monday, September 9, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The second Continental Congress officially named its new union of sovereign states the “United States” today, replacing “United Colonies.”

Video: 'Liberty - Battle of Long Island PBS' (Aug. 27, 1776, at 13:47)

(Tuesday, August 27, 1776, 1:00 a.m. local time; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Battle of Long Island, the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War to take place after the United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, began today as British troops attacked American forces to gain control of the strategically important city of New York. Continue reading Battle of Long Island begins 240 years ago at this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 27 1776) →

Video: 'Sons of liberty - George Washington Reads The Declaration Of Independence HD'

(Friday, August 2, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — Delegates to the Second Continental Congress meeting today in Philadelphia began attaching their signatures to the Declaration of Independence, which had been approved July 4, 1776. Continue reading Delegates begin signing U.S. Declaration of Independence 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1776) →

Video: 'The Revolution: Declaring Independence' (July 4, 1776, at 26:00)

(Thursday, July 4, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia today ratified the Declaration of Independence, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer under British rule. Continue reading Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1776) →

Video: 'The Revolution: Declaring Independence' (July 2, 1776, at 25:11)

(Tuesday, July 2, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Second Continental Congress voted today to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule. Continue reading Second Continental Congress approves American independence 240 years ago #OTD (July 2 1776) →

Video: 'History Brief: The Committee of Five'

(Tuesday, June 11, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Continental Congress formed the Committee of Five today to draft a Declaration of Independence calling for freedom from Britain.

Video: 'Washington Before Boston Medal'

(Monday, March 25, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — Only eight days after the British evacuation of Boston, the Continental Congress today authorized a medal, Washington Before Boston Medal, to commemorate the event.

Video: 'The Revolution: Rebelling To Revolution' (Mar. 17, 1776, at 43:30)

(Sunday, March 17, 1776, 9:00 a.m. local time; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — Threatened by Patriot cannons on Dorchester Heights, the British evacuated Boston today, ending the 11-month Siege of Boston.

Video: 'battle of quebec'

(Sunday, December 31, 1775, New Year’s Eve; during the Battle of Quebec (1775), part of American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The British repulsed an attack by Continental Army generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold this morning at the Battle of Quebec (1775) in Quebec City, present-day Canada; Montgomery, 37, was killed.