1750-1790 1750 Cumberland Gap discovered, named by Thomas Walker. 1750 First American coal mine opens in Virginia. 1752 Ben Franklin "flies a kite." A shocking experience! Invents lightning rod. 1754 French and Indian War begins. Last nine years. 1754 Major Washington loses battle of Fort Necessity. 1755 General Braddock defeated at Pittsburgh; Washington promoted to Lt. Col. 1757 Franklin goes to London on mission. Returns 17 years later. 1759 George Washington weds Martha Custis, honeymoons at "The White House" on the Custis planation. 1760 Subjugation of Canada by England leads to Dominion of Canada in 1767. 1760 George III becomes King of England. Colonial population 1.6 million 1762 Benjamin Franklin re-designs the harmonica, makes it a musical instrument. 1762 Spain acquires Louisiana Territory from France. 1763 Chief Pontiac begins siege of Detroit. Incites other wars. 1763 French and Indian War ends with Treaty of Paris signed Sept 3, which establishes borders of United States. 1763 Patrick Henry delivers his famous "Parsons" speech. 1764 Saint Louis founded. 1764 Revenue Act. Taxation without representation introduced in Boston. 1765 The Stamp Act goes into effect. 1765 Quartering Act requires housing British troops in private homes. 1766 Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon draw the line at MD & PA border. 1768 British troops begin occupation of Boston. 1769 Daniel Boone crosses Appalachians, keeps heading west into Kentucky. 1770 Boston Massacre. 1773 Boston Tea Party. 342 chests of tea go into the drink December 16. 1774 Quartering Act of 1774: Colonist must open houses to British troops. 1774 British close the port of Boston in retaliation for tea party. 1774 First Continental Congress convenes, in Philadelphia, Sept 5. 1775 Patrick Henry declares "Give me liberty or give me death!" March 23. 1775 American Revolution begins. Battles at Lexington and Concord, MA. 1775 Second Continental Congress convenes, in Philadelphia, May 10. 1775 Fort Ticonderoga taken by Ethan Allen & Green Mountain militia, May 10. 1775 Washington accepts promotion to general & commander-in-chief, Jun 16. 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill (actually Breed's Hill). 1775 Declaration on Taking Up of Arms issued by Continental Congress, Jul 6. 1775 Postal system created. Benjamin Franklin first Director. 1775 Great Bridge: Virginians defeat British, December. 1776 Moore's Creek Bridge: North Carolinians defeat British: Feb. 1776 South Carolina Constitution adopted March 26. 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights on June 12; written by George Mason. 1776 Virginia Constitution adopted June 29. Becomes model for all states. 1776 New Jersey Constitution adopted July 2. 1776 Declaration of Independence adopted, Jul 4. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson. 1776 New Hampshire Constitution adopted July 5. 1776 Patrick Henry elected governor of new Commonwealth of Virginia. 1776 Washington at Trenton: Captures 916 Hessian (German) prisoners. 1777 New York Constitution adopted April 20. 1777 Battle of Bennington VT. Green Mountain Boys doing what came naturally. 1777 General Gates defeats General Burgoyne at Saratoga, NY. 1777 General Washington has close call at Brandywine. 1777 Congress adopts American flag with thirteen stars and stripes. 1777 Washington's Continental Army winters at Valley Forge. 1778 France declares war on England, becomes ally of America. 1780 Benedict Arnold attempts to sell West Point to the British. 1780 King George III publically whines about the loss of America. 1781 Articles of Confederation go into effect; were drafted in 1777. 1781 Cornwallis surrenders to General Washington. 1783 The Paris Peace Treaty ends War of Revolution; signed Sep 3. 1784 Benjamin Franklin invents bifocals. 1786 Davy Crockett born, Aug 17, by Nolichucky River in E. Tenn. 1787 Northwest Ordinance adopted July 13 by Continental Congress. 1787 Constitutional Convention opens May 25; concludes business Sept 17. 1787 U.S. Constitution framed, sent to Congress & states for approvals. 1787 Federalist Papers begin to appear in newspapers. 1787 Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, ratify Constitution. 1788 GA, CT, MA, MD, SC, ratify Constitution by May 23. 1788 U.S. becomes nation as NH is 9th state to ratify on June 21. 1788 Virginia and New York ratify Constitution by July 26. 1789 George Washington, Apr 30, becomes 1st President, John Adams 1st VP. 1789 James Madison rises in congress to reluctantly suggests changes to new constitution. Patrick Henry leads fight for Bill of Rights. 1789 French Revolution begins. Bastille falls July 14. 1789 North Carolina ratifies Constitution on Nov 21. 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation signed by President George Washington. 1789 Mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty; survivors establish Pitcairn Island colony. 1790 Benjamin Franklin dies April 17. 1790 Rhode Island ratifies Constitution on May 29. 1790 First national census finds 3,929,214 persons. 1790 John Jay is Chief Justice as Supreme Court meets for the first time. 1790 Judith Sargent Murray, writing under pen name, Constantia, publishes Equality of the Sexes.