The American Revolution was a political movement in the Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain and the United States which the colonies founded. The movement began as a rebellion demanding reform and evolved into a revolution resulting in a complete separation that entirely replaced the social and political order. These changes were the outcome of the associated American Revolutionary War and the consequential sovereign independence of the former colonies as the United States. The Second Continental Congress, as the provisional government, established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander-in-chief in 1775. The following year, the Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July.
Britain repeals the Stamp Act, which had caused outrage in colonial America and helped lead to the American Revolution
The American Revolution was a political movement in the Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain and the United States which the colonies founded.
Historical Significance
The American Revolution was a political movement in the Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain and the United States which the colonies founded.
Events Before
First direct British tax on American colonists, the Stamp Act, is passed by the British Parliament led by Prime Minister
First direct British tax on American colonists, the Stamp Act, is passed by the British Parliament led by Prime Minister George Grenville
Britain enacts Quartering Act, required colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers
Britain enacts Quartering Act, required colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers
1st North American medical college opens in Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( FIL-ə-DEL-fee-ə), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
HMS Victory launched; Admiral Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, 40 years later
HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate wooden sailing ship of the line. With 248 years of service as of 2026, she is the world's oldest naval vessel still in commission.
Fire destroys a large part of Montreal, Quebec
Fire destroys a large part of Montreal, Quebec
Events After
US Defector General Benedict Arnold (26) weds the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven Margaret Mansfield
US Defector General Benedict Arnold (26) weds the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven Margaret Mansfield
Ayutthaya Kingdom in present-day Thailand falls to Burmese invaders
The Ayutthaya Kingdom or the Empire of Ayutthaya was a Thai kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first opera "Apollo et Hyacinthus", written when he was 11 years old, premieres in Salzburg
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first opera "Apollo et Hyacinthus", written when he was 11 years old, premieres in Salzburg
Prince Willem V marries Prussian princess Wilhelmina
Prince Willem V marries Prussian princess Wilhelmina
King Taksin is crowned King of Siam and establishes Thonburi as his capital
King Taksin is crowned King of Siam and establishes Thonburi as his capital
More from the 1760s
Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat
Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat
Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defe
Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defeats the mostly Hindu Maratha Empire in northern India. An estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people are killed in the fighting, and about 40,000 Maratha prisoners are massacred afterward.
Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War, France agrees to surrender Canada to Great Britain
The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, following Great Britain and…
Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Sev
Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Seven Years' War
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on March 18, 1766?
- The American Revolution was a political movement in the Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain and the United States which the colonies founded. The movement began as a rebellion demanding reform and evolved into a revolution resulting in a complete separation that entirely replaced the social and political order. These changes were the outcome of the associated American Revolutionary War and the consequential sovereign independence of the former colonies as the United States.
- Why is Britain repeals the Stamp Act, which had caused outrage in colonial America a... significant?
- The American Revolution was a political movement in the Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain and the United States which the colonies founded.