In short
On April 19, 1775, armed colonists clashed with British troops at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the start of open warfare between Great Britain and thirteen American colonies. The conflict, which would last until 1783, transformed a political dispute over taxation and representation into a war for independence that reshaped the North American continent and established a new nation.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence or simply the American Revolution, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which American Patriot forces organized as the Continental Army and commanded by George Washington defeated the British Army. The conflict was fought in North America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The war's outcome seemed uncertain for most of the war, but Washington and the Continental Army's decisive victory in the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 led King George III and the Kingdom of Great Britain to negotiate an end to the war. In 1783, in the Treaty of Paris, the British monarchy acknowledged the independence of the Thirteen Colonies, leading to the establishment of the United States as an independent and sovereign nation.
As it was happening
14 voices, 3059 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British regulars marching to seize colonial weapons stores encounter armed minutemen near Boston. The skirmish kills eight colonists and nine British soldiers, escalating the dispute from political confrontation to armed conflict.
Voices from this moment (2)
The Boston Gazette
Apr 20
“Bloody Skirmish at Lexington - Regulars Out!”
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Apr 19
“British regulars marching to seize colonial weapons stores…”
As it was happening
14 voices, 3059 days.
Day 0 · April 19, 1775
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British regulars marching to seize colonial weapons stores encounter armed minutemen near Boston. The skirmish kills eight colonists and nine British soldiers, escalating the dispute from political confrontation to armed conflict.
“Bloody Skirmish at Lexington - Regulars Out!”
- The Boston Gazette, Apr 20
“British regulars marching to seize colonial weapons stores…”
- Battles of Lexington and Concord, Apr 19
Day 21 · May 10, 1775
Second Continental Congress convenes
Delegates from all thirteen colonies meet in Philadelphia and establish the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as commander-in-chief.
“Congress Convenes - Colonial Representatives Unite Against…”
- The Pennsylvania Journal, May 12
“Rebels in Massachusetts Engage His Majesty's Forces - Crown…”
- The London Gazette, May 27
“Williamsburg Buzzes with Military Preparations - Governor…”
- The Virginia Gazette, Jun 2
“Delegates from all thirteen colonies meet in Philadelphia…”
- Second Continental Congress convenes, May 10
Day 59 · June 17, 1775
Battle of Bunker Hill
Colonial forces inflict heavy casualties on British troops assaulting Breed's Hill near Boston, proving the Continental Army could stand against professional soldiers.
“Colonial forces inflict heavy casualties on British troops…”
- Battle of Bunker Hill, Jun 17
Day 265 · January 9, 1776
Paine publishes Common Sense
Thomas Paine's 47-page pamphlet argues for immediate independence and becomes the most widely read publication in the colonies, shifting public opinion toward separation.
“Thomas Paine's 47-page pamphlet argues for immediate…”
- Paine publishes Common Sense, Jan 9
Day 442 · July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence adopted
The Continental Congress in Philadelphia formally declares the thirteen colonies independent, articulating Enlightenment principles of natural rights and popular sovereignty.
“The Continental Congress in Philadelphia formally declares…”
- Declaration of Independence adopted, Jul 4
Day 496 · August 27, 1776
Battle of Long Island
British forces defeat Washington's army in the largest battle of the war, nearly destroying the Continental Army but allowing its escape to Manhattan.
“British forces defeat Washington's army in the largest…”
- Battle of Long Island, Aug 27
Day 912 · October 17, 1777
Battle of Saratoga
American forces under Horatio Gates defeat British General John Burgoyne, convincing France that the colonists could win and prompting French entry into the war.
“American forces under Horatio Gates defeat British General…”
- Battle of Saratoga, Oct 17
Day 1024 · February 6, 1778
Treaty of Alliance with France
France formally commits to military support against Britain, providing naval power and resources that prove essential to the colonial cause.
“France formally commits to military support against…”
- Treaty of Alliance with France, Feb 6
Day 2010 · October 19, 1780
Battle of Yorktown
Washington and French forces under Comte de Rochambeau trap British General Cornwallis and 8,000 troops on the Virginia peninsula; the surrender effectively ends major combat operations.
“Washington and French forces under Comte de Rochambeau trap…”
- Battle of Yorktown, Oct 19
Day 3059 · September 3, 1783
Treaty of Paris signed
Britain formally recognizes American independence and cedes all territory east of the Mississippi River to the new United States, concluding the war.
“Britain formally recognizes American independence and cedes…”
- Treaty of Paris signed, Sep 3
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The Boston Gazette, The Pennsylvania Journal, The London Gazette.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
4 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The Boston Gazette
Newspaper · Massachusetts / United States · Apr 20, 1775
"Bloody Skirmish at Lexington - Regulars Out!"
A detachment of British regulars fired upon a militia company assembled on Lexington Common on the morning of the 19th instant, killing several patriotic Americans and wounding others in what witnesses describe as an unprovoked assault.
- May 12, 1775
The Pennsylvania Journal
Newspaper · Pennsylvania / United States
"Congress Convenes - Colonial Representatives Unite Against British Tyranny"
Synthesized from period reporting - The Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia this week with delegates from twelve colonies resolving to present a united front against parliamentary oppression and the stationing of troops without consent.
- May 27, 1775
The London Gazette
Newspaper · England / United Kingdom
"Rebels in Massachusetts Engage His Majesty's Forces - Crown Reaffirms Authority"
Synthesized from period reporting - Official dispatches from Boston confirm that armed colonists attacked British soldiers at Concord, prompting Crown forces to reinforce garrison positions and declare the Massachusetts charter void pending restoration of order.
- Jun 2, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Newspaper · Virginia / United States
"Williamsburg Buzzes with Military Preparations - Governor Dunmore's Actions Spark Outrage"
Synthesized from period reporting - Virginia gentry report indignation over the Royal Governor's seizure of the colony's gunpowder stores, while local militia companies drill in preparation for potential conflict with royal authority.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.American Revolutionary War
en.wikipedia.org