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A Timeline of the History of the American Revolution
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american-revolution-timeline.yaml
#
# This is an experiment for a personal project I'm working on. The below is a YAML representation of some of the historical
# events that occurred relating to the American Revolution. It is absolutely incomplete and not intended to be a history lesson
# or a political statement. I'll probably add to and tweak this as I go, expanding on my experiement in multiple ways,
# but be aware that this is just used as test data for a personal project that I hope to be able to let others use one day,
# if it turns out well.
#
# (Said project is an attempt at creating an HTML/CSS/JS interactive timeline in the browser. The idea: don't worry about
# messing with front-end code, just feed it some nice and easy YAML - like this - of historical events and data and you
# get a nice and pretty interactive, navigable timeline of events that you can use as a research aid, reference material, etc.
# Could be a good tool for students, authors, historians, teachers, college professors, whomever!)
#
# Be advised: These events may be INTENTIONALLY out of chronological order and the date format may be INTENTIONALLY
# inconsistent. That's by design: I want the end user to be able to make minor human mistakes and the software to still
# work as expected, so I test for that in my own experience by screwing up on purpose.
#
# To format and lint this document, try https://github.com/google/yamlfmt
# One of the very few times you'll see me recommend anything with the taint of Google on it, but
# as of this writing, it's a decent tool. Pay attention to the options in $PWD/.yamlfmt.
#
# $ brew install yamlfmt
# $ cd path/to/this/repo/public
# $ yamlfmt ./example.yaml
#
#
# To specify dates, use the format YYYY-MM-DD. If you need a time on that date, use
# 24-hour format WITHOUT a time zone and wrap it in double quotes. For example, 9PM
# on March 5, 1770 would be "1770-03-05 21:00:00" (the Boston Massacre).
#
# The order in which you specify the events here, so long as the time formatting is
# correct as are the dates themselves, doesn't matter. The timeline will sort them
# for you automatically. That's the reason for calling out the specific formatting
# of the date/time string.
#
timeline:
title: The American Revolution
intro: |
Spanning roughly a quarter of the planet, lasting more than thirteen years
and involving at least three major European powers, the American Revolution
was a wildly complex historical flashpoint that forever changed the
long-term trajectory of human history. The following timeline, while most
certainly **far from exhaustive**, is a sampling of some of those events
that I've personally assembled relevant to my first novel: an historical
fiction piece set in that era. Writing such a work necessarily entails
forming a detailed understanding of the context, events, issues, cultures,
and peoples who shaped the period, the conflict, and ultimately, our world.
**BE ADVISED** This example has many caveats:
- Some (much?) of the below was AI-generated as a short-cut to myself,
and may or may not have yet to be fact-checked. Proceed with caution.
- This list is **not exhaustive**. Much more happened than can be distilled
in this one list. This is merely for demonstration purposes, even though
it may be rather long anyway.
- This list may exempt some very important or otherwise noteworthy events;
remember, I made this for my own uses. I'm screening out stuff not important
to the research for my novel, here.
events:
# Originally I had these somewhat organized by years and dates, but I'm throwing that out
# the window. I want to see if I can get the software to sort it for me, so I'm going to
# intentionally mix up the dates and see what happens.
- title: "Franlkin Arrives in France"
date: "1776-12-07"
description: "Benjamin Franklin arrives in France to negotiate a treaty of alliance."
body: |
**NOTE**: AI-generated entry. Not yet fact-checked. **Caution advised.**
Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent American diplomats, arrived in France
in December 1776. His mission was to secure a formal alliance with France, which
had already been providing covert aid to the American colonies. Franklin's
diplomatic efforts were successful, and the Treaty of Alliance was signed in
February 1778.
Worth noting is the fact that Franklin's mission as a diplomatic envoy was, while
officially-sanctioned by the Continental Congress, _technically_ considered a
clandestine mission.
The French did not immediately warm to the notion until the Battle of Saratoga.
With solid proof that the Americans could win in serious combat, and against a
battle-hardened, well-equipped and well trained world power, no less, the French
finally realize that the American cause for independence is far more than aspirational,
and finally commit to an official alliance in 1778. The trans-Atlantic alliance, which
remains in effect to this day, would prove absolutely critical to American victory
in the war for independence.
references:
- title: "/AI-GENERATED/ Benjamin Franklin: An American Life"
citation: "/AI-GENERATED/ Book by Walter Isaacson, Chapter 17"
- title: "/AI-GENERATED/ Benjamin Franklin in France"
citation: "/AI-GENERATED/ https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/benjamin-franklin-in-france/"
- title: "Culper Spy Ring Established"
date: "1778-11-15"
description: "Washington appoints Benjamin Tallmadge as director of military intelligence"
body: |
At some point in November 1778, General Washington (711) appoints Benjamin Tallmadge (721), a relatively young
Continental Army officer, head of military intelligence. Tallmadge, in turn, establishes the Culper
Spy Ring, a network of spies operating in New York City and Long Island. The ring, which included
Tallmadge's childhood friend Abraham Woodhull, provided Washington with valuable information about
British troop movements and plans, and is historically regarded as an absolutely vital element in
the cause for independence; without the Ring's efforts and successes, the likelihood of American
indepdence would have been severely diminished.
**Note**: It is unknown precisely when the Ring switched from using names to the numbers derived by
Tallmadge in the Culper Code Book, but it seems to have _maybe_ been sometime around 1779. I'd like
to know for sure, but so far I can't seem to find any reasonably good sources for that information
online.
references:
- title: "The Culper Spy Ring"
citation: "https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/culper-spy-ring/"
- title: "Benjamin Tallmadge"
citation: "https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/benjamin-tallmadge/"
- title: "The Culper Code Book"
citation: "https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/spying-and-espionage/the-culper-code-book/"
- title: "John Paul Jones Captures _HMS Mellish_"
date: "1776-11-15"
description: "Vital shipment of winter clothing meant for Gen. Burgoyne's Canadian Troops Stolen by 'Pirate'"
body: |
As captain of the _USS Alfred_, John Paul Jones, often referred to by the British as a 'Pirate', and often
considered the father of the United States Navy, managed to affect the capture of the _HMS Mellish_, a
British ship carrying vital winter clothing meant for General Burgoyne's Canadian troops. The winter clothing
was, of course, diverted to the Continental Army.
_Note_: The date on this entry is approximate. The exact date appears to have been on or about 'mid-November'.
references:
- title: "John Paul Jones By Dennis M. Conrad"
citation: "Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2023-09-21. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/z-files/zb-files/zb-files-j/jones-john-paul/jones-jp-conrad.html"
- title: "John Paul Jones: Early Command"
citation: "Wikipedia. Retrieved 2023-09-21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones#Early_command"
- title: "Boston Massacre"
date: "1770-03-05"
description: "Confrontation between British soldiers and Boston civilians that resulted in five deaths."
body: |
Tensions had been escalating between British troops stationed in Boston and the
local populace. On March 5, a confrontation outside the Custom House turned violent
when British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five men. This incident, heavily
publicized by colonial activists like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, was dubbed the
"Boston Massacre". It became a significant propaganda tool, galvanizing colonial
sentiment against British authority and military presence.
references:
- title: "The Shoemaker and the Tea Party: Memory and the American Revolution"
citation: "Book by Alfred F. Young, Chapter 3"
- title: "The Boston Massacre"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre"
- title: "Repeal of the Townshend Acts"
date: "1770-04-12"
description: "British Parliament repeals most of the Townshend Acts."
body: |
In response to growing colonial unrest and economic disruptions caused by
boycotts, the British Parliament decided to repeal most of the duties imposed
by the Townshend Acts. Charles Townshend's initiative had levied taxes on various
goods imported into the colonies, including tea. With the 1770 repeal, all duties
were lifted except for the one on tea. This partial concession did little to ease
tensions, as the retained tax on tea would later lead to the famous Boston Tea
Party.
references:
- title: "The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789"
citation: "Book by Robert Middlekauff, Chapter 5"
- title: "Townshend Acts"
citation: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Townshend-Acts"
# 1772
- title: "Gaspee Affair"
date: "1772-06-09"
description: "Attack on the British customs schooner, HMS Gaspee, by American colonists."
body: |
The Gaspee Affair was a significant pre-Revolutionary incident between the British and American colonists.
HMS Gaspee, a British customs schooner, had been successful in enforcing navigation laws, but its methods
angered local merchants. When the ship ran aground in Rhode Island waters, a group of colonists led by
Abraham Whipple and John Brown boarded it and set it on fire. The incident increased tensions between
the American colonies and Britain, especially when it became clear that no one would be held accountable
for the act.
references:
- title: "An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight America"
citation: "Book by Nick Bunker, Chapter 10"
- title: "The Gaspee Affair"
citation: "https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-gaspee-affair"
- title: "Committees of Correspondence Formed in Massachusetts"
date: "1772-11-02"
description: "Samuel Adams called for a Committee of Correspondence in Boston."
body: |
The Committee of Correspondence was initially formed in Boston under the guidance of Samuel Adams.
These committees aimed to maintain communication between patriot leaders in different colonies,
sharing news about British actions and discussing possible collective responses. The model quickly
spread, and by the next year, many other colonies formed their own Committees of Correspondence.
They played a significant role in unifying the colonies and providing a foundation for the
organized resistance against Britain.
references:
- title: "Samuel Adams: A Life"
citation: "Book by Ira Stoll, Chapter 8"
- title: "Committees of Correspondence"
citation: "https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/committees-of-correspondence/"
- title: "Somerset Case"
date: "1772-06-22"
description: "British court case which ruled slavery unsupported by the common law in England."
body: |
The Somerset case was a landmark judgment in England. James Somerset, an enslaved African taken to
England by his American owner, had escaped but was recaptured and slated for deportation and sale in
the colonies. Advocates for Somerset's freedom brought the case before the courts. Lord Chief Justice
Mansfield ruled that while colonial laws might permit slavery, no law in England explicitly did. As a
result, Somerset was freed. The case didn't abolish slavery in the British Empire but was a significant
step toward that end and had profound effects on both sides of the Atlantic.
references:
- title: "Slavery, Atlantic Trade and the British Economy, 1660-1800"
citation: "Book by Kenneth Morgan, Chapter 6"
- title: "The Somerset Case"
citation: "https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/somerset-case-1772/"
# 1773
- title: "Boston Tea Party"
date: "1773-12-16"
description: "Political protest where American colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor."
body: |
The Boston Tea Party was a direct response to the Tea Act imposed by the
British government. Colonists, frustrated with the lack of
representation in Parliament and the continued taxation, chose to
protest by boarding British ships and dumping an entire shipment of tea
into the harbor. This act of defiance further escalated tensions between
the colonies and the British government, leading to a series of punitive
measures known as the Intolerable Acts.
references:
- title: "The Shoemaker and the Tea Party: Memory and the American Revolution"
citation: "Book by Alfred F. Young, Chapter 5"
- title: "Boston Tea Party"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party"
- title: "Tea Act"
date: "1773-05-10"
description: "British Act granting the East India Company the right to directly ship its tea to North America."
body: |
The Tea Act of 1773 was a regulatory motion by the British government
intended not only to save the struggling East India Company from
bankruptcy but also to establish a precedent for the right to tax the
colonies. The act allowed the company to ship tea directly to the
colonies, bypassing colonial merchants and undercutting their prices.
While it effectively reduced the price of tea, it was seen by many
colonists as a cunning tactic to get them to accept the principle of
Parliamentary taxation.
references:
- title: "The Boston Tea Party: The Foundations of Revolution"
citation: "Book by Dennis Brindell Fradin, Chapter 2"
- title: "The Tea Act of 1773"
citation: "https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/the-tea-act"
# 1774
- title: "Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)"
date: "1774-03-31"
description: "Series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party."
body: |
The Intolerable Acts, known as the Coercive Acts in Britain, were a set of laws designed to punish
the Massachusetts colonists for their defiance in the Boston Tea Party protest. The series of laws
closed the Boston Harbor until the dumped tea was paid for, revoked the Massachusetts Charter,
allowed royal officers to be tried in other colonies or England if accused of crimes, and expanded
the Quartering Act to allow British troops to lodge in private homes. These acts galvanized colonial
opposition and were instrumental in the convening of the First Continental Congress later that year.
references:
- title: "American Insurgents, American Patriots: The Revolution of the People"
citation: "Book by T.H. Breen, Chapter 6"
- title: "Intolerable Acts"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/intolerable-acts"
- title: "First Continental Congress"
# date: "1774-09-05 to 1774-10-26"
date: "1774-09-05"
description: "Meeting of delegates from 12 of the Thirteen Colonies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."
body: |
In response to the Intolerable Acts, 56 delegates from all colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia
for the First Continental Congress. The congress aimed to outline colonial grievances, develop a response,
and establish a unified American position. By the end of their deliberations, they had adopted the
Declaration and Resolves which opposed the Coercive Acts and called for their repeal, set up a boycott
of British goods, and endorsed the concept of colonial self-governance.
references:
- title: "The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89"
citation: "Book by Edmund S. Morgan, Chapter 5"
- title: "First Continental Congress"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/first-continental-congress"
# - title: "Quebec Act"
# date: "1774-06-22"
# description: "British act that set procedures of governance in the Province of Quebec."
# body: |
# The Quebec Act was part of a series of efforts by the British Parliament to deal with the aftermath
# of the French and Indian War. It extended the boundaries of Quebec and granted religious freedom
# to Catholics in the province. While the act was not punitive in nature, American colonists interpreted
# it as a threat. They feared the establishment of Catholicism in Quebec, and the extension of its
# territory southward was seen as encroaching upon the colonies. Many colonists grouped this act
# with the Coercive Acts as another example of British tyranny.
# references:
# - title: "The American Revolution: A History"
# citation: "Book by Gordon S. Wood, Chapter 3"
# - title: "Quebec Act of 1774"
# citation: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Quebec-Act"
- title: "Powder Alarm"
date: "1774-09-01"
description: "A major popular reaction to the British seizure of gunpowder from colonial arsenals."
body: |
Tensions were high after the passage of the Coercive Acts. When the British military, fearing an
uprising, moved to seize gunpowder from a magazine in Somerville, Massachusetts, it prompted
widespread alarm. Although no battle occurred, this event further inflamed anti-British sentiments.
The massive colonial response, with thousands rallying and preparing for conflict, made it clear
that the American colonies were on the brink of revolution.
references:
- title: "The Minutemen and Their World"
citation: "Book by Robert A. Gross, Chapter 7"
- title: "The Powder Alarm of 1774"
citation: "https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/the-powder-alarm.html"
# 1775
- title: "Lexington and Concord"
date: "1775-04-18"
description: "Now the war truly begins..."
body: |
The war truly began on April 18, 1775, when General Thomas Gage, the British military governor of
Massachusetts, ordered British troops to march from Boston to Concord to seize the colonists' military
supplies. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others took to horseback to warn the local population - quietly -
that "the regulars were coming out".
Colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the British troops, meeting them at Lexington,
where the first shots of the war were fired. British troops continued to Concord, where, thanks to warnings
from Revere and Dawes, additional local militia had already assembled, forcing the British to retreat all the way
back into the city.
references:
- title: "Paul Revere's Ride"
citation: "Book by David Hackett Fischer, Chapter 1"
- title: "The Battles of Lexington and Concord"
citation: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Battles-of-Lexington-and-Concord"
actions:
- date: "1775-04-18"
description: "An overnight search for munitions and rebel leaders leads to the first shots of the war."
body: |
In the very late night hours of April 18, 1775, British troops were ordered to march from Boston to
Concord to seize munitions (gunpowder, artilery pieces, shot, etc.) that they considered stolen property
belonging to their military (where else do civilians under a military occupation get such things?). Their
orders also included the arrest of rebel leaders, including Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Thanks to a very
well-organized network of spies and informants, the colonists were well aware of the British plans in advance,
allowing both Adams and Hancock to escape capture, as well as giving rebel forces time to both hide their
stockpiled munitions and establish procedures for the mobilization of local militia should it become needed.
references:
- title: "The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789"
citation: "Book by Robert Middlekauff, Chapter 6"
- date: "1775-04-19"
description: "The Battles of Lexington and Concord"
body: |
Thanks to the warnings of Paul Revere and William Dawes, local militia rapidly assembled at Lexington in the very
early morning hours of April 19, 1775. The British troops, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith,
were ordered to seize the colonial militia's military supplies and arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. The British
arrived at Lexington around 5AM, where they were met by a small group of militiamen, who were ordered immediately
to disperse. Naturally, they refused to comply.
To this day no one knows who fired the first shot; it's generally thought the first, unknown shot was an accident,
a misfire due to the exceptionally high stress of the moment. Whatever the cause and whomever pulled the trigger,
what happened next _is_ a matter of known, historical fact: British troops, obviously thinking they were under attack,
understandably **returned fire**, killing 8 colonial militia and wounding 10 others, affecting a fairly quick colonial
retreat at Lexington. The British were then free to move on to Concord.
At Concord, the British were met by a large group of militiamen and forced to retreat all the way back to
Boston, suffering 273 casualties along the way. Colonial militia, by contrast, lost only 95 in total.
references:
- title: "The Battles of Lexington and Concord"
citation: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Battles-of-Lexington-and-Concord"
- title: "Bunker Hill"
date: "1775-06-17"
description: "Colonial forces beat Redcoats to the punch, forcing the British to pay dearly for an early victory"
body: |
Though the battle of "Bunker Hill" mostly took place on Breed's Hill, this pyrrhic victory for
the British was a costly one.
Having intercepted intelligence that the British intended to occupy and fortify the area around
Bunker, Breed's, and Moulton's hills on June 18, Colonial forces moved the evening of June 16
to beat them to the punch, and dug in overnight to erect defenses in the area, forcing their
enemy to either abandon their plans, or attack a fortified position - which is exactly what
the British chose to do. And they paid dearly for it, with 226 dead and 828 wounded.
Colonial forces lost 140 lives that day as well, including Dr. Joseph Warren, a prominent Boston
physician and local leader, active in the Sons of Liberty movement who had a critical role in the
early days of the revolution.
actions:
- title: "Fortification of Breed's Hill"
date: "1775-06-16"
description: "Colonial Forces Pre-Emptively Occupy Breed's Hill"
body: |
In the early evening hours of June 16, 1775, colonial forces numbering some 2000-odd strong,
commanded by Colonel William Prescott, assembled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a march to
Bunker Hill. They were acting on intelligence they had received that on June 18 - a mere two
days later - British forces were ordered to take Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill, as well as all
of the surrounding area, and fortify it for long-term occupation. Having this intelligence
ahead of time, the strategic move was intended to "beat them to the punch", so to speak, and
occupy the area first, thereby forcing the British to either attack a fortified position, or
to abandon their plans.
Colonial forces marched out about 9PM, being met along the way by Gen. Israel Putnam (aka "Old Put"),
who augmented their supplies with additional tools and materials for building and enhancing
fortifications.
Their orders were to reach **Bunker Hill**, but having arrived at Breed's Hill, they stopped
there and dug in. Their reasons for doing so are not entirely clear or a matter of historical
record, but it's generally thought that they stopped there because it was closer to Charlestown,
and therefore easier to defend and resupply. It's also thought that they stopped there because
it was a better position from which to attack the British ships in the harbor.
Additional reasons could include the fact of timing: it was midnight when the Army Engineer had
started drawing the outline for the fortifications to be dug, thus giving the men only around 4
hours before daybreak, when they would be visible to the British Navy occupying the water, who
would undoubtedly hit them with artillery (cannons, etc.). If they'd gone on to Bunker Hill
instead, they would have lost valuable time in preparing fortifications. Additionally, Breed's is
in the center of that small peninsula, which would make for more ground for a land assault team
to cover, and possibly create a ranging challenge for the British Navy and limit what kind of
attack and support options it may have; Bunker, however, was right by the water, on the total
opposite side of the peninsula from Charlestown, making resupply harder, a land assualt easier,
and exposing them to every option the Navy would have for attack and support of their assualt
forces.
Whatever their reasons, Prescott's forces dug in and fortified Breed's Hill overnight. By sunrise,
indeed the British Navy had taken notice and began to attack with artillery.
references:
- title: "The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlekauf"
citation: "Half a War: Pages 289-298"
- title: "Battle of Bunker Hill"
date: "1775-06-17"
description: "Gen. Howe joins troops in combat; British dead lie 'thick as sheep in a fold'"
body: |
Fighting literally from dawn to after sunset, the British assault on Bunker and Breed's Hills was a
costly one. With forces of over 2200 men and additional artillery support, the British
attacked in three assault waves. The first two were repelled successfully, and at significant
cost to the British in terms of both casualties and morale, but also very high cost to
colonial forces in terms of ammunition.
When the third assault wave charged, rifles ready and bayonets flashing, colonial forces
could hear them determined despite the literal _fields of dead_ they had to step over:
> Push on, push on!
Having run out of shot to fire at the oncoming enemy, colonial defenders were eventually
overrun and forced to retreat, surrender, or die. The British had won a pyrrhic victory:
yes, they'd taken Breed's Hill, but at a staggering cost of 226 dead and 828 wounded,
meaning nearly a thousand soldiers who would be unable to participate in combat either
permanently or for some period of time into the future. Colonial defenders lost 140 lives,
and sustained 271 wounded. Among the dead at Breed's was Dr. Joseph Warren of Boston, a
prominent local physician, local leader, and activist in the Sons of Liberty movement.
references:
- title: "The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlekauf"
citation: "Half a War: Pages 289-298"
- title: "Dr. Joseph Warren is KIA at Bunker Hill"
date: "1775-06-17"
description: "Dr. Joseph Warren killed in action defending Breed's Hill."
body: |
TODO
# - title: "Battle of Bunker Hill"
# date: "1775-06-17"
# description: "Major conflict during the Siege of Boston."
# body: |
# While technically a British victory, the Battle of Bunker Hill proved
# costly for the British in terms of casualties. The colonial militias,
# despite being outnumbered and eventually driven from their positions,
# inflicted significant losses on the British, proving their resolve and
# demonstrating that they could stand up to one of the world's most
# formidable armies.
# notes: |
# * Check on that date; didn't Bunker/Breed's last a few days?
# Construction of defenses, siege actions, all that?
# * Note / fact check the role of Dr. Joseph Warren, then include under
# 'actions' sub-array
# references:
# - title: "The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789"
# citation: "Book by Robert Middlekauff, Chapter 10"
# - title: "Battle of Bunker Hill"
# citation: "https://www.historynet.com/battle-of-bunker-hill"
- title: "Invasion of Canada"
# date: "1775-09-25 to 1776-06-18" # The 'to' piece should be dynamically generated w/ actions subarray when done
date: "1775-09-25"
description: "A failed attempt by the Continental Army to capture Quebec."
body: |
The Continental Army, seeing an opportunity to bring Canada into the
revolutionary fold, undertook an ambitious campaign to capture Quebec.
The force, under the command of Generals Richard Montgomery and
Benedict Arnold, faced hardships from the outset, battling rough
terrain, cold weather, and disease. Though they did achieve early
successes, capturing Montreal, the final assault on Quebec City on
December 31, 1775, ended in failure and the eventual retreat of the
American forces.
references:
- title: "The Invasion of Canada: 1775"
citation: "Book by Brendan Morrissey, Chapter 4-6"
- title: "The Revolutionary Invasion of Quebec"
citation: "https://www.thoughtco.com/revolutionary-war-invasion-of-quebec-2361396"
- title: "Burning of Falmouth"
date: "1775-10-18"
description: "British naval bombardment and subsequent sacking of Falmouth, present-day Portland, Maine."
body: |
The British Royal Navy, under the command of Captain Henry Mowat,
targeted Falmouth (Now Portland, Maine) as part of a punitive expedition
against ports that were perceived to be supporting revolutionary
efforts. The bombardment and subsequent burning of much of the town was
a brutal show of force intended to intimidate colonial resistors.
Instead, it served to further inflame American sentiments against
British rule.
references:
- title: "Naval Battles of the American Revolution"
citation: "Book by Ted Ballard, Chapter 2"
- title: "The Burning of Falmouth"
citation: "https://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/945/page/1391/display?use_mmn="
# 1776
- title: "Declaration of Independence"
date: "1776-07-04"
description: "Continental Congress declares the American colonies' independence from Britain."
body: |
Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and deliberated upon by the Continental
Congress, the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4th. This
foundational document declared the thirteen American colonies independent from
British rule. The Declaration enumerated the colonies' grievances against King
George III and asserted their natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. This act was revolutionary, setting the stage for the full-scale war
that would ensue and marking the birth of the United States of America.
references:
- title: "American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence"
citation: "Book by Pauline Maier, Chapter 6"
- title: "Declaration of Independence"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence"
- title: "Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn)"
date: "1776-08-27"
description: "First major battle following the Declaration of Independence."
body: |
After the British evacuation of Boston, their sights turned to capturing New York
City. The Battle of Long Island saw British forces under General William Howe
engage the Continental Army led by George Washington. Outflanked and outnumbered,
Washington's forces suffered a defeat. However, a strategic nighttime withdrawal
saved the bulk of the Continental Army from capture, allowing them to fight another
day.
references:
- title: "Washington's Crossing"
citation: "Book by David Hackett Fischer, Chapter 5"
- title: "Battle of Long Island"
citation: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Long-Island"
- title: "Washington's Crossing of the Delaware"
date: "1776-12-25 to 1776-12-26"
description: "Surprise attack on Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey."
body: |
In a daring move, George Washington and his troops crossed the icy Delaware River
on Christmas night. By morning, they surprised the Hessian troops stationed in
Trenton, resulting in a significant victory for the Continental Army. This bold
action boosted the morale of the American forces and was a turning point that
showcased Washington's leadership and the resolve of the American revolutionaries.
references:
- title: "1776"
citation: "Book by David McCullough, Chapter 7"
- title: "Washington Crosses the Delaware, 1776"
citation: "https://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/washingtondelaware.htm"
# 1777
- title: "Battle of Saratoga"
date: "1777-10-17"
description: "Decisive American victory that became a turning point in the Revolutionary War."
body: |
The Battle of Saratoga, comprising two significant battles during September and
October, marked a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. British General John
Burgoyne aimed to sever New England from the rest of the colonies but found
himself surrounded by American forces. On October 17, he surrendered to American
General Horatio Gates. This victory convinced France to enter the war as an ally
to the Americans, fundamentally shifting the strategic balance.
references:
- title: "Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War"
citation: "Book by Richard M. Ketchum, Chapter 12"
- title: "Battle of Saratoga"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga"
- title: "Brandywine and Germantown"
date: "1777-09 (Various Dates)"
description: "Two significant battles during the British campaign to capture Philadelphia."
body: |
As part of a strategy to capture Philadelphia, British forces under General
William Howe faced off against George Washington's troops. The Battle of
Brandywine on September 11 was a British victory, allowing Howe to take
Philadelphia by month's end. In response, Washington attempted a surprise attack
in October at Germantown, but it ultimately failed. Despite these setbacks, the
American resolve remained unbroken.
references:
- title: "The Philadelphia Campaign: Brandywine and the Fall of Philadelphia"
citation: "Book by Thomas J. McGuire, Chapter 6"
- title: "Battles of Brandywine and Germantown"
citation: "https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/battles-brandywine-and-germantown"
- title: "Winter at Valley Forge"
date: "1777-12 to 1778-06"
description: "Continental Army's winter encampment marked by hardship and transformation."
body: |
After the British capture of Philadelphia, Washington's troops wintered at Valley
Forge. During these challenging six months, the Continental Army faced extreme
cold, hunger, and disease. However, under the training of Baron von Steuben, a
Prussian military officer, the army emerged from the winter as a more cohesive
and disciplined force, better prepared for the challenges of the upcoming
campaigns.
references:
- title: "Valley Forge: Martyrdom and Deliverance"
citation: "Book by Wayne K. Bodle, Chapter 4"
- title: "Valley Forge"
citation: "https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/index.htm"
# 1778
- title: "France Enters the War"
date: "1778-02-06"
description: "Formal alliances established between France and the American colonies."
body: |
Following the American victory at Saratoga in 1777, France recognized the
independence of the United States and entered the war as an American ally. The
Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce were signed on February 6,
1778. This was a significant turning point, as French military and financial
support greatly boosted the American war effort against Britain.
references:
- title: "A Diplomatic History of the American Revolution"
citation: "Book by Jonathan R. Dull, Chapter 5"
- title: "Franco-American Alliance"
citation: "https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/franco-american-alliance/"
- title: "Battle of Monmouth"
date: "1778-06-28"
description: "Major battle in New Jersey, marking the end of the Northern theater of the war."
body: |
As the British evacuated Philadelphia to reinforce New York City, the Continental
Army, under George Washington, pursued and attacked the British rear guard near
Monmouth Courthouse in New Jersey. The battle was hard-fought, with the Americans
holding the field by the end of the day. The Continental Army demonstrated improved
discipline and tactics, a result of their training at Valley Forge.
references:
- title: "Washington's Crossing"
citation: "Book by David Hackett Fischer, Chapter 16"
- title: "Battle of Monmouth"
citation: "https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/monmouth"
- title: "British Southern Strategy"
date: "Begun in 1778"
description: "British shift in focus to the Southern colonies."
body: |
By 1778, the British shifted their strategic focus to the American South, believing
that a strong Loyalist presence there would aid their cause. This Southern Strategy
aimed to leverage Loyalist support to reclaim the rebellious colonies one by one.
The campaign began with the capture of Savannah, Georgia, late in the year, laying
the groundwork for further operations in the South over the subsequent years.
references:
- title: "The Southern Strategy: Britain's Conquest of South Carolina and Georgia, 1775–1780"
citation: "Book by David K. Wilson, Chapter 3"
- title: "The Revolutionary War in the South"
citation: "https://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/southern_theater.html"
# 1779
- title: "Elizabeth Burgin Flees New York"
date: 1779-07-17
description: The British Commandant of New York offers a 200-pound reward for the capture of the person 'suspected of helping the American prisoners make their escape'.
body: |
Elizabeth Burgin, an otherwise-minor, unknown figure in American History, is credited with cooperative action with otherwise unknown individuals
(lost to the ravages of time and bad documentation of the period) with assisting in the escape of over 200 American POWs during the Revolutionary
War.
references:
- title: "Elizabeth Burgin Helps the Prisoners...Somehow"
citation: "Elizabeth Burgin Helps the Prisoners...Somehow. Don N. Hagist. September 11, 2014. Journal of the American Revolution. https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/09/elizabeth-burgin-helps-the-prisoners-somehow/"
- title: "To Rev. James Calville, 19 November 1779"
citation: "Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives, Washington, DC. https://legacy.catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/5916026/content/arcmedia/social-media/gallery/22194.pdf"
actions:
- date: 1779-07-17
description: British Commandant Orders Observation of Burgin's Home, offers 200-Pound Reward
body: |
The Commandant of New York, rightly suspecing that Burgin was involved in the escape of many prisoners of war, offered
a 200-Pound reward for the capture of the individual responsible, and on the same day, British forces began watching her
home in New York. Knowing this (how? We don't know...) to be the case, Burgin went into hiding alone (without her three children),
assisted by friends in the area in escaping to Long Island, where she hid for another five weeks. After an unnamed man took her by
whale boat (William Scudder) to Connecticut, she made her way to Philadelphia, then to Elizabeth,
New Jersey where she waited while her children arrived, having been sent to her (somehow) from New York.
- date: 1780-03-16
description: Burgin Writes to General Washington
body: |
In a letter dated March 16, 1780, Ms. Burgin writes to George Washington, on the advice of individuals named in the
very same letter, asking for any provisions he is able to himself authorize for her very survival, or on her behalf,
get Congress to authorize. She states that "Helping our poor prisoners brought me to want, which I don't repent." In the
letter she recounts her story of fleeing New York, her desire (at the time) to remain in Philadelphia, and provides the names
of several people with whom Washington could corroborate her story, all of whom could, and would, presumably, vouch for her.
references:
- title: "To George Washington from Elizabeth Burgin, 16 March 1780"
citation: "Founders Online, National Archives (http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-01137) https://web.archive.org/web/20160510165516/http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-01137"
- title: "Capture of Stony Point"
date: "1779-07-16"
description: "American surprise attack on a British-held fortification in New York."
body: |
In a daring nighttime assault, American Light Infantry forces under Brigadier
General Anthony Wayne stormed the British fortifications at Stony Point along the
Hudson River. Using bayonets and combat tactics, they captured the garrison in
just 25 minutes. This victory boosted American morale and demonstrated the
effectiveness of the Continental Army's elite forces.
references:
- title: "The Battle of Stony Point"
citation: "Book by Richard J. Koke, Chapter 3"
- title: "Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site"
citation: "https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/8/details.aspx"
- title: "Siege of Savannah"
date: "1779-09-23 to 1779-10-18"
description: "Joint Franco-American attempt to recapture Savannah, Georgia."
body: |
Hoping to expel the British from the South, American forces, joined by their
French allies under Admiral d'Estaing, laid siege to Savannah. Despite initial
optimism, the joint attack on the fortified city on October 9 was repulsed with
significant losses. Unable to breach the defenses, the Franco-American forces
withdrew, leaving the British in control of Savannah.
references:
- title: "The Siege of Savannah in December, 1778"
citation: "Book by Charles C. Jones Jr., Chapter 10"
- title: "Siege of Savannah"
citation: "https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/siege-savannah"
- title: "John Paul Jones and the Battle of Flamborough Head"
date: "1779-09-23"
description: "Naval battle off the coast of England between American and British ships."
body: |
In one of the Revolutionary War's most famous naval encounters, the American
captain John Paul Jones, commanding the Bonhomme Richard, faced off against the
British ship HMS Serapis. After a fierce engagement and his own ship heavily
damaged, Jones issued his legendary reply to a surrender demand: "I have not yet
begun to fight!" Ultimately, the British captain struck his colors, marking a
symbolic American victory on the doorstep of Britain.
references:
- title: "John Paul Jones: A Sailor's Biography"
citation: "Book by Samuel Eliot Morison, Chapter 8"
- title: "The Battle of Flamborough Head"
citation: "https://www.history.com/news/revolutionary-war-battle-flamborough-head-john-paul-jones"
# 1780
- title: "Siege of Charleston"
date: "1780-04-02 to 1780-05-12"
description: "A major British victory resulting in the capture of Charleston, South Carolina."
body: |
The Siege of Charleston was one of the worst American defeats of the
Revolutionary War. British forces, under General Sir Henry Clinton, laid
siege to the city and its American defenders led by General Benjamin Lincoln.
After six weeks of siege operations, and facing heavy artillery fire and
a tightening blockade, Lincoln was compelled to surrender. The loss of
Charleston and its significant garrison was a severe blow to the American
Southern strategy.
references:
- title: "The Siege of Charleston, 1780"
citation: "Book by Carl P. Borick, Chapter 6"
- title: "Siege of Charleston"
citation: "https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/charleston-1780"
- title: "Battle of Camden"
date: "1780-08-16"
description: "Decisive British victory in South Carolina, deepening American troubles in the South."
body: |
The Battle of Camden occurred when the Continental Army under General
Horatio Gates, attempting to challenge British control in the South, faced
off against British forces led by General Charles Cornwallis. Due to
strategic blunders and wavering militia support, the Americans suffered a
crushing defeat. The setback at Camden led to a reevaluation of American
leadership and strategy in the Southern theater.
references:
- title: "The Battle of Camden: A Documentary History"
citation: "Book by Jim Piecuch, Chapter 4"
- title: "Battle of Camden"
citation: "https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/camden"
- title: "Benedict Arnold's Treason"
date: "1780-09"
description: "Benedict Arnold's plot to betray West Point to the British."
body: |
Benedict Arnold, once a celebrated American general, conspired to surrender
the key fortress of West Point to the British in exchange for money and a
commission in the British Army. The plot was discovered when British Major
John André, acting as a go-between, was captured with incriminating documents.
Arnold fled to the British lines, forever branding his name synonymous with
treason in American history.
references:
- title: "The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold: An American Life"
citation: "Book by Joyce Lee Malcolm, Chapter 9"
- title: "Benedict Arnold: Revolutionary Hero (An American Warrior Reconsidered)"
citation: "https://www.jstor.org/stable/4249690"
# 1781
- title: "Battle of Cowpens"
date: "1781-01-17"
description: "Decisive American victory in South Carolina against British forces."
body: |
The Battle of Cowpens saw a brilliant tactical victory for the Continental
forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan against the British Army led by
Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Utilizing a feigned retreat, Morgan
lured Tarleton's forces into a trap, resulting in a comprehensive American
victory. Cowpens was a turning point in the reconquest of South Carolina from
the British.
references:
- title: "The Road to Guilford Courthouse"
citation: "Book by John Buchanan, Chapter 9"
- title: "Battle of Cowpens"
citation: "https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/cowpens"
- title: "Battle of Guilford Courthouse"
date: "1781-03-15"
description: "Significant battle in North Carolina with heavy British casualties."
body: |
Although technically a British victory, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse
inflicted significant casualties on General Cornwallis's forces. Continental
forces, led by General Nathanael Greene, utilized a defense-in-depth strategy
which exhausted the British. While Greene withdrew from the field, the
battle's high cost led Cornwallis to abandon his Carolina campaign and move
into Virginia, setting the stage for the Yorktown campaign.
references:
- title: "The Road to Guilford Courthouse"
citation: "Book by John Buchanan, Chapter 14"
- title: "Battle of Guilford Courthouse"
citation: "https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/guilford-courthouse"
- title: "Siege of Yorktown"
date: "1781-09-28 to 1781-10-19"
description: "Decisive Franco-American victory leading to the end of major hostilities."
body: |
The Siege of Yorktown marked the effective end of the Revolutionary War.
American forces under General George Washington and French forces under
General Rochambeau, with naval support from Admiral de Grasse, surrounded
and besieged Cornwallis's army at Yorktown. After weeks of bombardment and
realizing no relief was coming, Cornwallis surrendered. The victory
convinced the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict.
references:
- title: "The World Turned Upside Down: The American Victory in the War of Independence"
citation: "Book by John E. Ferling, Chapter 12"
- title: "Siege of Yorktown"
citation: "https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/siege-of-yorktown"
# 1782
- title: "Capture of Fort Watson"
date: "1782-04-15 to 1782-04-23"
description: "American forces recapture a strategic British post in South Carolina."
body: |
As part of the larger campaign to reclaim the South, American forces laid
siege to Fort Watson, a British outpost in South Carolina. Employing
innovative tactics, including the construction of a siege tower known as
the "Maham Tower," the Americans managed to overrun the fort's defenses
and secure a crucial victory. The fall of Fort Watson was one of several
actions that saw the British lose their grip on the Carolinas.
references:
- title: "With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783"
citation: "Book by Matthew H. Spring, Chapter 8"
- title: "The South Carolina Encyclopedia"
citation: "https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/fort-watson/"
- title: "The Naval Battle of the Saintes"
date: "1782-04-12"
description: "Decisive naval engagement between British and French fleets in the Caribbean."
body: |
The Battle of the Saintes saw the British Navy under Admiral Sir George
Rodney defeat a French fleet led by Comte de Grasse, near Dominica in the
West Indies. Using innovative tactics to break the French line, Rodney
achieved a major victory. Though the battle took place in the Caribbean,
its ramifications were felt in North America, strengthening the British
position during peace negotiations.
references:
- title: "Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain 1649–1815"
citation: "Book by N.A.M. Rodger, Chapter 16"
- title: "Battle of the Saintes"
citation: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Saintes"
- title: "Recognition of U.S. Independence by Britain"
date: "1782-04-17"
description: "British House of Commons votes to end the war and recognize American independence."
body: |
After the defeat at Yorktown in 1781, the political will in Britain to
continue the war waned. On April 17, 1782, the House of Commons in
Parliament voted in favor of ending hostilities with the American colonies
and for the recognition of American independence. This paved the way for
the peace negotiations that would culminate in the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
references:
- title: "Empire and Nation: The American Revolution in the Atlantic World"
citation: "Book by Eliga H. Gould, Chapter 12"
- title: "American Independence Recognized"
citation: "https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-independence-recognized-by-great-britain"
# 1783
- title: "Treaty of Paris"
date: "1783-09-03"
description: "Formal end of the American Revolutionary War and recognition of U.S. independence."
body: |
The Treaty of Paris was signed by representatives of the United States and
Great Britain, formally ending the American Revolutionary War. This treaty
recognized the independence of the United States and established boundaries
between the new nation and British North America. Additionally, Britain
granted the U.S. fishing rights in the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. It
marked a momentous occasion, securing America's position as an independent
nation on the global stage.
references:
- title: "The Treaty of Paris"
citation: "Book by Jonathan R. Dull, Chapter 4"
- title: "Treaty of Paris, 1783"
citation: "https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=6"
- title: "Evacuation Day"
date: "1783-11-25"
description: "British troops leave New York City, marking the end of British occupation."
body: |
Evacuation Day is the name given to the day when the last of the British
troops departed from New York City, symbolizing the end of British
occupation in the former thirteen colonies. The departure was peaceful,
and many loyalists also left the city and the new nation for other parts
of the British Empire. For New Yorkers, the day became an annual
celebration, marking the restoration of American control over the city.
references:
- title: "1783: The Departure of the British"
citation: "Book by Barnet Schecter, Chapter 8"
- title: "Evacuation Day"
citation: "https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/british-evacuate-new-york"
- title: "Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line"
date: "1783-06"
description: "Disgruntled Continental Army soldiers protest in Philadelphia."
body: |
In June of 1783, about 500 soldiers from the Pennsylvania Line marched to
Philadelphia to present their demands for immediate payment and an
honorable discharge. The Congress, meeting in Philadelphia at the time,
felt threatened and requested that the Pennsylvania state government
intervene. When the state took no action, Congress relocated to Princeton,
New Jersey. This incident highlighted the post-war tensions and the need
for a stronger central government.
references:
- title: "The Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 and the Founding Fathers"
citation: "Book by Stephen Howard Browne, Chapter 5"
- title: "Pennsylvania Mutiny"
citation: "https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/pennsylvania-mutiny/"
################################################################################
#
# Original (incomplete) version from GH gist is here below - commented out -
# for future reference.
#
# TODO: Go over the below and bring what's better written, missing, or otherwise
# useful up top.
#
################################################################################
# timeline:
# title: The American Revolution
# intro: |
# Spanning roughly a quarter of the planet, lasting more than thirteen years and involving at least
# three major European powers, the American Revolution was a wildly complex historical flashpoint that forever changed
# the long-term trajectory of human history. The following timeline, while most certainly **far from exhaustive**,
# is a sampling of some of those events that I've personally assembled relevant to my first novel: an historical fiction
# piece set in that era. Writing such a work necessarily entails forming a detailed understanding of the context, events,
# issues, cultures, and peoples who shaped the period, the conflict, and ultimately, our world.
# events:
# - title: "Elizabeth Burgin Flees New York"
# date: 1779-07-17
# description: The British Commandant of New York offers a 200-pound reward for the capture of the person 'suspected of helping the American prisoners make their escape'.
# body: |
# Elizabeth Burgin, an otherwise-minor, unknown figure in American History, is credited with cooperative action with otherwise unknown individuals
# (lost to the ravages of time and bad documentation of the period) with assisting in the escape of over 200 American POWs during the Revolutionary
# War.
# actions:
# - date: 1779-07-17
# description: British Commandant Orders Observation of Burgin's Home, offers 200-Pound Reward
# body: |
# The Commandant of New York, rightly suspecing that Burgin was involved in the escape of many prisoners of war, offered
# a 200-Pound reward for the capture of the individual responsible, and on the same day, British forces began watching her
# home in New York. Knowing this (how? We don't know...) to be the case, Burgin went into hiding alone (without her three children),
# assisted by friends in the area in escaping to Long Island, where she hid for another five weeks. After an unnamed man took her by
# whale boat (William Scudder) to Connecticut, she made her way to Philadelphia, then to Elizabeth,
# New Jersey where she waited while her children arrived, having been sent to her (somehow) from New York.
# - date: 1779-11-19
# description: Burgin Writes to General Washington
# body: |
# In a letter dated November 19, 1779, Ms. Burgin writes to George Washington, on the advice of individuals named in the
# very same letter, asking for any provisions he is able to himself authorize for her very survival, or on her behalf,
# get Congress to authorize. She states that "Helping our poor prisoners brought me to want, which I don't repent." In the
# letter she recounts her story of fleeing New York, her desire (at the time) to remain in Philadelphia, and provides the names
# of several people with whom Washington could corroborate her story, all of whom could, and would, presumably, vouch for her.
# - title: "The Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill)"
# date: 1775-06-17
# description: Colonial forces, occupying hills surrounding the city, sought to countrol Boston harbor. In response, the British attacked to dislodge them from their defensible positions.
# body: |
# Colonial leaders had become aware of a British plan to occupy hills surrounding Boston to further solidify their control
# over the harbor and the overall region. To beat them to the punch, they pre-emptively did the same, sending troops to occupy
# and fortify those same hills before the British were able to do so. In response, the British launched a massive attack on those
# same hills in several waves that only succeeded because colonial forces literally ran out of ammunition. The British won a tactical
# victory, but at a very high loss: they had incurred massive casualties, far more than the American forces had, making their
# success, arguably, a phyrric victory.
# actions:
# - date: 1775-06-13
# description: Colonial forces learn of a British plan to occupy hills surrounding Boston
# body: |
# On June 13, 1775, Colonial forces learned of a British plan to occupy and entrench defensible positions on
# elevated hills (high ground) surrounding Boston that would ultimately reinforce their dominance over Boston and
# its harbor, a vital supply port for their ongoing occupation of the colonies.
# references:
# - title: "Fortification of Breed's Hill (Wikipedia)"
# citation:
# - link: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bunker_Hill#Fortification_of_Breed's_Hill"
# title: "Battle of Bunkder Hill (Fortification of Breed's Hill)"
# - date: 1775-06-17
# description: The British Launch their Attack
# body: |
# Four days later, the British launched their attack on those fortified positions in an attempt to re-take them by
# any means necessary. After several waves of attackers assaulted American fortifications and failed, finally the
# American forces had literally run out of ammunition to fire. One story claims that Dr. Joseph Warren stood his
# ground at the scene to give militia a chance to escape, knowing himself to be what we'd today call an "HVT" or
# "high value target" to the British, and remained with nothing more than his spent rifle (likely with a bayonet
# attached) to engage in combat with the British should they get close enough. Whether true or not, a fact not
# in dispute is that Joseph Warren was killed in action on this day by a British officer who recognized him (or,
# potentially, an officer's aide who knew his face and alerted others to his status as an HVT on scene). It's said
# that he was so reviled that several individuals repeatedly stabbed and mutilated his corpse to the point of being
# unrecognizable, and one account claims they went so far as to literally decapitate his lifeless body after the
# fact. His remains were identified by Paul Revere - a known friend - due to a false tooth he was known to have.
# Warren's death served as a form of martyrdom for the American cause, galvanizing people far and wide for the
# long and challenging conflict to come.
# references:
#
# - title: "The True Story of the Battle of Bunker Hill (Smithsonian)"
# url: "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-true-story-of-the-battle-of-bunker-hill-36721984/"
# - title: "Joseph Warren - Death (Wikipedia)"
# url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Warren#Death"
# - date: 1774-06-02
# title: The New Quartering Act is Passed
# description: A new form of the previously-expired Quatering Act is passed by Parliament
# body: |
# Part of what was considered "The Intolerable Acts" of 1774, this new version of the Quartering Act, which previously expired
# in 1770, allowed British governors to requisition unoccupied buildings to house British troops. This inflamed tensions further, which were
# already at a fever pitch.
# links:
# - title: "Encylopedia Brittanica: The Intolerable Acts"
# url: "https://www.britannica.com/event/Intolerable-Acts"
# - date: 1783-09-03
# title: Treaty of Paris
# description: The Treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the war
# body: |
# The Treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the war. The treaty
# establishes the United States as a sovereign nation, and establishes
# the boundaries of the new nation.
# links:
# - title: "Wikipedia: The Treaty of Paris"
# url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1783)
# - title: "Library of Congress: The Treaty of Paris"
# url: https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/paris.html
# - date: "1770-03-05 21:00:00"
# title: The Boston Massacre (Incident on King Street)
# description: British Soldiers Fire on an unarmed crowd in Boston
# body: An accidental weapons discharge in a moment of furious political intensity
# leads to the unintended deaths of five civilians at the hands of British
# soldiers. The event is later used as propaganda by the Sons of Liberty to
# incite anti-British sentiment in the colonies.
# links:
# - title: "Wikipedia: Boston Massacre"
# url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre
# - title: "Library of Congress: Boston Massacre"
# url: https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/massacre.html
# - date: 1775-04-18
# title: The Regulars are Coming Out (The British Are Coming)
# description: British Soldiers Begin Overnight Search for Munitions
# body: British soldiers from the 5th Regiment of Foot begin an overnight search
# for munitions and Whig sympathizers in the cities of Lexington and Concord,
# Massachusetts, west of Boston. Looking for John Hancock and Samuel Adams,
# who had already fled, acting on intelligence received in advance of the
# British search, Paul Revere and William Dawes take to the countryside on
# horseback to quietly warn local militia of the incoming British advance.
# links:
# - title: "Wikipedia: Battles of Lexington and Concord"
# url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord
# - title: "Library of Congress: Lexington and Concord"
# url: https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/lexi.html
# - date: 1775-04-19
# title: Battles of Lexington and Concord
# description: The first military engagements of the American Revolution
# body: After an overnight search for munitions and Whig sympathizers in Concord,
# Massachusetts, British soldiers from the 5th Regiment of Foot engage with
# colonial militia at Lexington and Concord. The British retreat to Boston,
# suffering staggering casualties along the way.
# links:
# - title: "Wikipedia: Battles of Lexington and Concord"
# url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord
# - title: "Library of Congress: Lexington and Concord"
# url: https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/lexi.html
# - date: 1776-07-04
# title: Declaration of Independence
# description: The United States issues its Declaration of Independence
# body: "TODO: Body text here"
# links:
# - title: Wikipedia
# url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
# - title: National Archives
# url: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
# - title: Library of Congress
# url: https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/DeclarInd.html
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