Category Archives: American Revolutionary War

Continental Congress gives new nation the name ‘United States’ 250 years ago today (Sep 9 1776)


Video: '9th September 1776: The name ‘United States’ of America adopted by the Second Continental Congress'

(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.”

Continental Army forced into retreat as Battle of Long Island leaves Washington in peril 250 years ago at this hour (Aug 27 1776)


Video: 'The Battle of Long Island: The Largest Clash of The Revolutionary War | The American Revolution'

(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 Continental Army forced into retreat as Battle of Long Island leaves Washington in peril 250 years ago at this hour (Aug 27 1776)

Delegates begin signing U.S. Declaration of Independence 250 years ago today (Aug 2 1776)


Video: 'August 2, 1776 - The Day America signed Independence'

(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 250 years ago today (Aug 2 1776)

Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress 250 years ago today (July 4 1776)


Video: 'The Declaration of Independence & Birth of the United States | The American Revolution | PBS'

(Thursday, July 4, 1776, afternoon; 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 250 years ago today (July 4 1776)

Second Continental Congress approves American independence 250 years ago #OTD (Jul 2 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 250 years ago #OTD (Jul 2 1776)

Continental Congress forms committee to draft Declaration of Independence 250 years ago today (Jun 11 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. Continue reading Continental Congress forms committee to draft Declaration of Independence 250 years ago today (Jun 11 1776)

General Washington awarded first Congressional Gold Medal 250 years ago today (Mar 25 1776)


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.

British forces evacuate Boston, ending 11-month siege 250 years ago this hour (Mar 17 1776)


Video: 'Siege of Boston (1775-1776): The First Major Conflict of the American Revolution'

(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. Continue reading British forces evacuate Boston, ending 11-month siege 250 years ago this hour (Mar 17 1776)

Continental Army General Richard Montgomery killed as British win Battle of Quebec 250 years ago today (Dec 31 1775)


Video: 'Battle of Quebec 1775 - America’s First Major Defeat?'

(New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31, 1775, approximately 5:00 a.m. local time; 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.

Continental Congress orders construction of America’s first naval fleet 250 years ago today (Oct 13 1775)


Video: 'The Navy is founded on October 13th, 1775.'

(Friday, October 13, 1775; during the American Revolutionary War, part of the American Revolution) — The United States Navy had its origins today as the Continental Congress ordered the construction of a naval fleet. Continue reading Continental Congress orders construction of America’s first naval fleet 250 years ago today (Oct 13 1775)