United States Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.
politics government
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1776. This year saw 48 significant events. 1 notable figure was born.
18th Century1770s
1776 Timeline
United States Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.
"Common Sense" pamphlet by Thomas Paine is published advocating American independence
Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies.
Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations"
Adam Smith (baptised 16 June [O.S. 5 June] 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish…
Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjami
Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members
Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"
The United Colonies of North-America was the official name as used by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia for the newly formed proto-state comprising the Thirteen Colonies in 1775 and...
US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain
US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain
Formal signing of the US Declaration of Independence by 56 people (date most accepted by modern historians)
The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States.
Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)
Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)
George Washington asks for a spy, and Nathan Hale volunteers
Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was an American Patriot, soldier, and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Crown Prince Paul of Russia marries Sophie Marie Dorothea of Württemberg.
Maria Feodorovna, born Duchess Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg (Sophie Marie Dorothea Auguste Luise), became Empress of Russia as the second wife of Emperor Paul I.
Thomas Paine publishes his first "The American Crisis" essay, beginning "These are the times that try men's souls" [date
Thomas Paine publishes his first "The American Crisis" essay, beginning "These are the times that try men's souls" [date disputed]
Austria ends the use of interrogation by torture
Austria ends the use of interrogation by torture
Assembly of New Hampshire adopts its 1st state constitution
The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government.
Continental Congress approves enlistment of free blacks
Continental Congress approves enlistment of free blacks
American troops begin shelling the British in Boston
American troops begin shelling the British in Boston
American commodore Esek Hopkins occupies Nassau, Bahamas
American commodore Esek Hopkins occupies Nassau, Bahamas
American War of Independence: The Americans capture Dorchester Heights dominating the port of Boston, Massachusetts
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years...
British forces evacuate Boston to Nova Scotia during Revolutionary War
The British Army during the American Revolutionary War served for eight years of armed conflict, fought in eastern North America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere from April 19, 1775 until the treaty...
Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco
Juan Bautista de Anza Bezerra Nieto (July 6 or 7, 1736 – December 19, 1788) was a Spanish expeditionary leader, military officer, and politician primarily in California and New Mexico under the...
Friedrich von Klinger's "Sturm und Drang" premieres in Leipzig
Sturm und Drang is a play in five acts by Friedrich Maximilian Klinger, which gave its name to the artistic period known as Sturm und Drang.
Captain John Barry and the USS Lexington captures the Edward
USS Lexington was a 16-gun brigantine of the Continental Navy. Purchased by the navy in 1776, she was 86-foot (26 m) and served in the American Revolutionary War before being captured by the British...
Halifax resolution for independence adopted by North Carolina
The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States.
Duchess of Kingston is found guilty of bigamy
Duchess of Kingston is found guilty of bigamy
German philosopher Adam Weishaupt founds the secret society of the Illuminati
Johann Adam Weishaupt was a German philosopher, professor of civil law and later canon law, and founder of the Bavarian Illuminati.
France and Spain agreed to supply weapons to American rebels
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years...
Rhode Island declares independence from Great Britain
Rhode Island ( ROHD) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States.
French First Minister of State and Controller-General of Finances Anne Robert Jacques Turgot resigns after being ordered
French First Minister of State and Controller-General of Finances Anne Robert Jacques Turgot resigns after being ordered to do so
Virginia adopts Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish "inadequate" government.
Charleston, South Carolina repulses British sea attack
Charleston, South Carolina repulses British sea attack
Mission Dolores founded at San Francisco Bay by Lieutenant José Joaquin Moraga and Francisco Palóu
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.
Captain James Cook departs Plymouth, England helming HMS Resolution, beginning his 3rd and final trip to the Pacific
Captain James Cook departs Plymouth, England helming HMS Resolution, beginning his 3rd and final trip to the Pacific
The British defeat the Americans in the Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn and the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, was an action of the American Revolutionary War fought on August 27, 1776, at and near the western...
Americans withdraw from Manhattan to Westchester
Manhattan is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. Coextensive with New York County, Manhattan is the smallest county by area in the U.S.
Continental Army evacuates Long Island and falls back to Manhattan, NYC
Governors Island is a 172-acre (70 ha) island in New York Harbor, within the New York City borough of Manhattan.
David Bushnell's "Turtle" attacks British ship "Eagle" in New York Bay in the first (failed) submarine attack
Turtle (also called American Turtle) was the world's first submarine, or by modern standards submersible, with a documented record of use in combat.
British forces capture Kip's Bay, Manhattan, during Revolution
British forces capture Kip's Bay, Manhattan, during Revolution
Fortress Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain to gain a foothold in Alta California and the San Francisco B
Fortress Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain to gain a foothold in Alta California and the San Francisco Bay
5 days after British take New York, a quarter of the city burns down
The written history of New York City begins with the arrival of the first European explorer to the area, Italian Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1528 and his brief interactions with the Indigenous Lenape.
First St Leger horse race held at Doncaster
The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies.
Brigadier-General Arnold's Lake Champlain fleet defeated by British during the Battle of Valcour Island (American Revolu
Brigadier-General Arnold's Lake Champlain fleet defeated by British during the Battle of Valcour Island (American Revolutionary War)
British Brigade begins guarding Throgg Necks Road in Bronx
British Brigade begins guarding Throgg Necks Road in Bronx
Battle of Pelham: Colonel John Glover and the Marblehead Regiment meet British forces in the Bronx
Battle of Pelham: Colonel John Glover and the Marblehead Regiment meet British forces in the Bronx
Mission San Juan Capistrano founded in California
San Juan Capistrano (san hwaan cap-ih-STRAH-noh; also known colloquially as San Juan or SJC) is a city in southern Orange County, California, United States.
1st gun salute for an American warship in a foreign port - US Andrew Doria at Fort St Eustatius (Dutch Caribbean isalnd)
1st gun salute for an American warship in a foreign port - US Andrew Doria at Fort St Eustatius (Dutch Caribbean isalnd)
American Revolutionary War: US forces abandon Fort Lee, New Jersey and retreat to Pennsylvania after British and Hessian
American Revolutionary War: US forces abandon Fort Lee, New Jersey and retreat to Pennsylvania after British and Hessian troops take Fort Washington, New York
First US academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, forms at William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia
The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦΒΚ) is the oldest academic honor society in the United States.
Continental Congress negotiates a war loan of $181,500 from France
Continental Congress negotiates a war loan of $181,500 from France
Rhode Island establishes wage & price controls to curb inflation: Limit is 70 cents a day for carpenters, 42 cents for t
Rhode Island establishes wage & price controls to curb inflation: Limit is 70 cents a day for carpenters, 42 cents for tailors
Sophie Germain is born
Sophie Germain is born
Events
"Common Sense" pamphlet by Thomas Paine is published advocating American independence
Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies.
Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations"
Adam Smith (baptised 16 June [O.S. 5 June] 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish…
Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjami
Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members
Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"
The United Colonies of North-America was the official name as used by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia for the newly formed proto-state comprising the Thirteen Colonies in 1775 and...
US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain
US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain
Formal signing of the US Declaration of Independence by 56 people (date most accepted by modern historians)
The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States.
Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)
Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)
George Washington asks for a spy, and Nathan Hale volunteers
Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was an American Patriot, soldier, and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Crown Prince Paul of Russia marries Sophie Marie Dorothea of Württemberg.
Maria Feodorovna, born Duchess Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg (Sophie Marie Dorothea Auguste Luise), became Empress of Russia as the second wife of Emperor Paul I.
Thomas Paine publishes his first "The American Crisis" essay, beginning "These are the times that try men's souls" [date
Thomas Paine publishes his first "The American Crisis" essay, beginning "These are the times that try men's souls" [date disputed]
Austria ends the use of interrogation by torture
Austria ends the use of interrogation by torture
Assembly of New Hampshire adopts its 1st state constitution
The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government.
Continental Congress approves enlistment of free blacks
Continental Congress approves enlistment of free blacks
American troops begin shelling the British in Boston
American troops begin shelling the British in Boston
American commodore Esek Hopkins occupies Nassau, Bahamas
American commodore Esek Hopkins occupies Nassau, Bahamas
American War of Independence: The Americans capture Dorchester Heights dominating the port of Boston, Massachusetts
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years...
British forces evacuate Boston to Nova Scotia during Revolutionary War
The British Army during the American Revolutionary War served for eight years of armed conflict, fought in eastern North America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere from April 19, 1775 until the treaty...
Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco
Juan Bautista de Anza Bezerra Nieto (July 6 or 7, 1736 – December 19, 1788) was a Spanish expeditionary leader, military officer, and politician primarily in California and New Mexico under the...
Friedrich von Klinger's "Sturm und Drang" premieres in Leipzig
Sturm und Drang is a play in five acts by Friedrich Maximilian Klinger, which gave its name to the artistic period known as Sturm und Drang.
Captain John Barry and the USS Lexington captures the Edward
USS Lexington was a 16-gun brigantine of the Continental Navy. Purchased by the navy in 1776, she was 86-foot (26 m) and served in the American Revolutionary War before being captured by the British...
Halifax resolution for independence adopted by North Carolina
The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States.
Duchess of Kingston is found guilty of bigamy
Duchess of Kingston is found guilty of bigamy
German philosopher Adam Weishaupt founds the secret society of the Illuminati
Johann Adam Weishaupt was a German philosopher, professor of civil law and later canon law, and founder of the Bavarian Illuminati.
France and Spain agreed to supply weapons to American rebels
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years...
Rhode Island declares independence from Great Britain
Rhode Island ( ROHD) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States.
French First Minister of State and Controller-General of Finances Anne Robert Jacques Turgot resigns after being ordered
French First Minister of State and Controller-General of Finances Anne Robert Jacques Turgot resigns after being ordered to do so
Virginia adopts Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish "inadequate" government.
Charleston, South Carolina repulses British sea attack
Charleston, South Carolina repulses British sea attack
Mission Dolores founded at San Francisco Bay by Lieutenant José Joaquin Moraga and Francisco Palóu
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.
Captain James Cook departs Plymouth, England helming HMS Resolution, beginning his 3rd and final trip to the Pacific
Captain James Cook departs Plymouth, England helming HMS Resolution, beginning his 3rd and final trip to the Pacific
The British defeat the Americans in the Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn and the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, was an action of the American Revolutionary War fought on August 27, 1776, at and near the western...
Americans withdraw from Manhattan to Westchester
Manhattan is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. Coextensive with New York County, Manhattan is the smallest county by area in the U.S.
Continental Army evacuates Long Island and falls back to Manhattan, NYC
Governors Island is a 172-acre (70 ha) island in New York Harbor, within the New York City borough of Manhattan.
David Bushnell's "Turtle" attacks British ship "Eagle" in New York Bay in the first (failed) submarine attack
Turtle (also called American Turtle) was the world's first submarine, or by modern standards submersible, with a documented record of use in combat.
British forces capture Kip's Bay, Manhattan, during Revolution
British forces capture Kip's Bay, Manhattan, during Revolution
Fortress Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain to gain a foothold in Alta California and the San Francisco B
Fortress Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain to gain a foothold in Alta California and the San Francisco Bay
5 days after British take New York, a quarter of the city burns down
The written history of New York City begins with the arrival of the first European explorer to the area, Italian Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1528 and his brief interactions with the Indigenous Lenape.
First St Leger horse race held at Doncaster
The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies.
Brigadier-General Arnold's Lake Champlain fleet defeated by British during the Battle of Valcour Island (American Revolu
Brigadier-General Arnold's Lake Champlain fleet defeated by British during the Battle of Valcour Island (American Revolutionary War)
British Brigade begins guarding Throgg Necks Road in Bronx
British Brigade begins guarding Throgg Necks Road in Bronx
Battle of Pelham: Colonel John Glover and the Marblehead Regiment meet British forces in the Bronx
Battle of Pelham: Colonel John Glover and the Marblehead Regiment meet British forces in the Bronx
Mission San Juan Capistrano founded in California
San Juan Capistrano (san hwaan cap-ih-STRAH-noh; also known colloquially as San Juan or SJC) is a city in southern Orange County, California, United States.
1st gun salute for an American warship in a foreign port - US Andrew Doria at Fort St Eustatius (Dutch Caribbean isalnd)
1st gun salute for an American warship in a foreign port - US Andrew Doria at Fort St Eustatius (Dutch Caribbean isalnd)
American Revolutionary War: US forces abandon Fort Lee, New Jersey and retreat to Pennsylvania after British and Hessian
American Revolutionary War: US forces abandon Fort Lee, New Jersey and retreat to Pennsylvania after British and Hessian troops take Fort Washington, New York
First US academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, forms at William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia
The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦΒΚ) is the oldest academic honor society in the United States.
Continental Congress negotiates a war loan of $181,500 from France
Continental Congress negotiates a war loan of $181,500 from France
Rhode Island establishes wage & price controls to curb inflation: Limit is 70 cents a day for carpenters, 42 cents for t
Rhode Island establishes wage & price controls to curb inflation: Limit is 70 cents a day for carpenters, 42 cents for tailors
Famous Births
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1776?
- In 1776, there were 48 significant historical events. Notable events include United States Declaration of Independence, "Common Sense" pamphlet by Thomas Paine is published advocating American independence, Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations".
- Who was born in 1776?
- 1 notable figure was born in 1776, including Sophie Germain is born.