Liberty Timeline

July 4, 1776 – Signing of the Declaration of Independence  

Congress unanimously votes to separate the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain and its Empire. This document is reputed to have inspired subsequent quests for liberty, most famously the French Revolution 

March 17, 1776 – British Evacuate Boston 

General William Howe evacuates Boston by ship after General George Washington assumes command of the American forces and seizes Dorchester Heights. The Siege of Boston ends.  

June 14, 1777 – The Flag Resolution 

The First Flag Resolution confirms the “Stars and Stripes” design as the official flag of the United States. The design is supposed to have originated via Elizabeth Griscom (Betsy Ross), but this claim cannot be verified. It is more likely to have come from Congressman Francis Hopkinson.  

February 5, 1778 – France and the US become Allies  

France and the US form the Franco-American Alliance which supplies the Colonists with much needed troops and supplies. In return, France is able to destabilize the British Empire and retaliate against their losses in the Seven Years’ War.  

September 28 – October 19, 1781 – Siege of Yorktown 

British troops are overstretched and demoralized, and parliament is worn thin between continental wars with France and Spain, and the American Revolution. General Charles Lord Cornwallis surrenders after French and American troops outnumber British forces in a three week siege at Yorktown. This battle is the last of the American Revolution.