1750-1789

William Alexander was captured during the 1776 Battle of Long Island and was exchanged for Montfort Browne not long after, and served with distinction in many battles in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

George Washington was the first President of the United States (1789–1797), the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

James Clinton was active in his native New York, and was a leading figure of the 1779 Sullivan Expedition to destroy Iroquois settlements in that state. He also served in Quebec and at Yorktown, and commanded American troops at Fort Clinton when they were defeated in 1777.

Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. He was known for his successful command in the Southern Campaign and for forcing British general Charles Cornwallis to abandon the Carolinas and head for Virginia.

During the American Revolution, he served as commander-in-chief of the French Expeditionary Force which embarked from France in order to help the American Continental Army fight against British forces.

Gálvez aided the American Thirteen Colonies in their quest for independence and led Spanish forces against Britain in the Revolutionary War, defeating the British at the Siege of Pensacola (1781) and reconquering Florida for Spain.

Lafayette was a general in the American Revolutionary War and a leader of the Garde nationale during the French Revolution.

This act requiring the Colonies to provide housing, food, and other provisions to British troops.

The British Parliament repeals the unpopular Stamp Act.

The Townshend Acts are passed by Parliament, placing taxes on many items imported into America.

The First Continental Congress meets; twelve colonies send delegates

United States Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia

The Second Continental Congress enacts (July 2) a resolution declaring independence from the British Empire, and then approves (July 4) the written Declaration of Independence

Nathan Hale captured and executed for espionage.

Two Battles of Saratoga conclude with the surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne.

Two Battles of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7) conclude with the surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne.

Articles of Confederation adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

British Army troops under General Henry Clinton and naval forces under Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot besiege Charleston, South Carolina. British ships sail past Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island to occupy Charleston Harbor. The city falls on May 12.

The British House of Commons votes against further war, informally recognizing American independence.

The Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolutionary War.

The British evacuate New York, marking the end of British rule, and General George Washington triumphantly returns with the Continental Army.