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The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16th, 1773. A group of colonists disguised as Indians who were fed up with the tax on tea boarded an English trade ship and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This was one of the first rebellious acts colonists carried out, leading to the formation of their own identity as an independent country.
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America's First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 5th to October 26th 1774. This congress consisted of revolutionary heroes such as Sam Adams, George Washington, and Patrick Henry. This was the first organized meeting between well-respected delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies. The meeting created The Association, who boycott all British products, resulting in England to acknowledge America's cries.
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This is an image of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. These battles were the first acts of war by the colonists against the British Army who started the occupation of Boston 7 years earlier. Although the British lost very few lives, the blow from the unexpected battles put fear into the hearts of the English troops and was a warning that the colonies were ready to fight for their freedom with the price of their own blood.
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This is the now-famous portrait of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on his way to leading the Continental Army in a heroic ambush at the Battle of Trenton on December 24th, 1776. After a humiliating defeat in New York just months earlier, legendary U.S General Washington rallied his men in one last push to gain a foot hole in the war. This successful ambush lead to future victories, and was a major turning point for the Continental Army in the war.
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The French gave the colonists their military support in 1778. French General Marquis de Lafayette and Colonial General George Washington are pictured here at Washington's home at Mount Vernon. The allegiance of these countries shows that by 1778, the colonial war effort was momentous enough to gain support by other countries. This shows America's progress as an emerging independent country.