Page 55 - 100 Events That Made History

Declaration of Independence
As the fighting wore on, the 13 rebel
American colonies decided to form
their own government (Congress).
Thomas Jefferson, a lawyer,
wrote the DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE for
the new nation and
By the way...
presented it to Congress.
On July 4, 1776, the
As well as being a fast
rider and an American
United States of
hero, I was also a
America (USA)
silversmith, a book
was born.
illustrator, and a
part-time dentist.
General Charles O’Hara
surrendered on behalf
of the British on October
19, 1781.

Did you know? The Declaration was
Paul Revere’s ride only
became famous 95 years signed by 56 members
after the event, when poet
of Congress.
Henry Longfellow wrote a
Victory in Yorktown
poem about it.
War raged for eight years, until
the Americans, helped by the
French navy, surrounded the
British army in the PORT OF
YORKTOWN. After a 21-day
siege, the 8,000 British
troops surrendered. Britain
realized it was losing the war
and suggested peace talks.
The rebels had won.

How it changed the world

The colonists fought the war
over their stated belief that all

and have the same natural rights.
What came after… men are created free and equal,
people all over the world thought
After the war, the commander This idea helped shape the way
of the American army, GEORGE about human rights, and democracy.
WASHINGTON, was hailed a hero—
and in 1789 he was elected the
first president of the United States.
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