The American Revolutionary War began with the “shot heard ’round the world.” At the battles of Lexington and Concord, seventy-three British troops were killed and 200 were wounded or missing in action. The patriot losses were forty-nine dead and forty-six wounded or missing.
George Washington assumed command of the 17,000-strong Continental Army.
British forces led by General Thomas Gage attacked patriots on Breed’s Hill overlooking the sea approach to Boston Harbor.
King George III declared the American colonies in “open rebellion.”
In March of 1776, American forces captured Dorchester Heights, which overlooked Boston harbor. They proceeded to enhance their position with artillery captured from Fort Ticonderoga. Outflanked, the British were forced to evacuate Boston and set sail for Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Washington’s army was nearly trapped at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights (or the Battle of Long Island). Though the British won the battle, Washington’s men narrowly escaped.
On October 28, 1776, the Continental Army suffered heavy casualties in their battle against Howe’s forces at White Plains, New York.
Washington crossed the Delaware River to attack British forces at Trenton, New Jersey. The surprise raid was a major success.
Washington defeated the British at Princeton, then established winter quarters at Morristown.
Washington’s forces were defeated at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania.