A committee was appointed to draft a declaration of independence, and Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write it. On July 2, Congress voted in favor of independence, and on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was approved. Copies were sent throughout the colonies to be read publicly. Battle of Long Island. The Declaration of Independence Lesson Plan Timeline Timeline of Events Leading to the Revolution — From the First Settlements to the Declaration of Independence Colonies & Settlements 1585: First English colony founded by Sir Walter Raleigh — Roanoke Island (North Carolina) 1587: Roanoke colony mysteriously disappears A timeline of the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence, with links to detailed information about these events, and the people, places and things surrounding the Declaration and the Revolutionary War The Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, arose from growing tensions between residents June 11, 1776: Thomas Jefferson (VA), John Adams (MA), Benjamin Franklin (PA), Roger Sherman (CT), and Robert Livingston (NY) are appointed to the committee to draft a declaration of independence. June 28, 1776: Draft of the Declaration of Independence is presented to Congress for deliberation. Explore an American history timeline tracing key events leading up to the Revolutionary War, Independence and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped The Independence Day timeline explains the context that led up to the Declaration on Independence being adopted on 4th of July 1776. July 1–4: Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence. See Chronology of the Declaration July 4: Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence; it's sent to the printer July 8: The Declaration of Independence is read publicly July 15: Lyndley's Fort, SC, Patriots fend off attack by Indians and Tories dressed as Indians The story of the Declaration of Independence spans centuries, from its colonial origins through its transformation into a living symbol of human rights. This comprehensive timeline traces every significant date in the document’s history, revealing how thirteen colonies’ revolt became humanity’s universal claim to equality. These American Revolution timelines list important events, from the birth of the American colonies to the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. A chronology of events that lead to the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. July 8, 1776 Colonel John Nixon reads the Declaration of Independence to a crowd on the State House Yard (now known as Independence Square). This is the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. July 19, 1776 Congress orders the Declaration engrossed for signatures. 1776, June 7 Independence resolution first introduced in Congress 1776, June 20 Spain matches France's one million livres to American rebels 1776, July 4 Congress ratifies the Declaration of Independence 1776, August 14 Hessian troops begin to disembarked on Staten Island 1776, October 26 Benjamin Franklin sets sail for France from Philadelphia Timeline of significant events related to the Declaration of Independence. The document proclaimed that the 13 original colonies of America were “free and independent states.” It was the last of a series of steps that led the colonies to final separation from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence is a foundational document in American history, marking the formal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain. Its creation and adoption in 1776 were pivotal events in the American Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States. During this period the "Committee of Five" (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson) drafted the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted it, Adams and Franklin made changes to it. Congress reconvened on July 1, 1776. Jefferson drafts A Summary View of the Rights of British America, intended as guidance to Virginia's delegates to the first Continental Congress and advancing the principles of equality and self-government more fully realized in the Declaration of Independence. Timeline of the American Revolution — timeline of the political upheaval culminating in the 18th century in which Thirteen Colonies in North America joined together for independence from the British Empire, and after victory in the Revolutionary War combined to form the United States of America. The American Revolution —also called the U.S. War of Independence—was the insurrection fought between 1775 and 1783 through which 13 of Great Britain ’s North American colonies threw off British rule to establish the sovereign United States of America, founded with the Declaration of Independence in 1776. British attempts to assert greater control over colonial affairs after a long This free American Revolution timeline for kids will help your students understand the events that led to the Declaration of Independence.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |