Early Modern
Articles of Confederation (1777): America's First Constitution
The United States' first written framework of government, in force from 1781 until it was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789.
Era · c. 1500 – 1800
Early Modern
Voyages of exploration, the Reformation and the age of revolutions that reshaped Europe and the wider world.
Early Modern
Valley Forge (1777–1778): The Continental Army's Hard Winter
The army survived severe shortages and disease, losing around 1,700–2,000 men, and emerged better trained and organised in June 1778.
Early Modern
Battles of Saratoga (1777): Turning Point of the Revolution
American victory: Burgoyne surrendered some 5,800 men on 17 October 1777, and France entered the war as an ally of the United States.
Early Modern
Franco-American Alliance (1778): France Joins the Revolution
France recognised American independence and became a military ally, entering the war against Britain in 1778.
Early Modern
Battle of Monmouth (1778): Molly Pitcher and the Hot Summer Fight
Inconclusive: the Americans held the field after a day of fighting, while the British continued their march to New York.
Early Modern
Death of Captain Cook (1779) at Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii
Cook, four marines and around 17 or more Hawaiians were killed; Cook's remains were partly returned and buried at sea, and the expedition sailed on under Clerke.
Early Modern
The Iron Bridge (1779): Coalbrookdale and the Age of Iron
The world's first major bridge built of cast iron opened to traffic on 1 January 1781 and became a symbol of the Industrial Revolution.
Early Modern
Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779–1783): Britain Holds the Rock
The British garrison held out for three years and seven months, and Gibraltar remained British under the peace of 1783.
Early Modern
First Cape Frontier War (1779–1781): Xhosa and Colonists Clash
A colonial commando drove Xhosa groups east of the Great Fish River in 1781, but the frontier remained unsettled and war resumed in 1789.
Early Modern
Siege of Charleston (1780): America's Worst Defeat of the War
British victory; Lincoln surrendered the city and some 5,000 soldiers and militia, the largest American surrender of the Revolutionary War.
Early Modern
Battle of Kings Mountain (1780): Patriot Militia Turn the South
Patriot victory; Ferguson was killed and almost his entire Loyalist force was killed, wounded or captured, halting Cornwallis's first invasion of North Carolina.
Early Modern
Benedict Arnold's Treason (1780): Plot to Surrender West Point
The plot was discovered before West Point could be surrendered; Arnold escaped to the British and André was hanged as a spy.