George Washington biography timeline

Birth of George Washington

The Declaration of Rights & Grievances is adopted by the Continental Congress

The Declaration of Rights & Grievances is adopted by the Continental Congress

Threatens to stop all Colonial exports to Britain. Signs a measure barring the importation of slaves

Appointed Commander of the Army

Appointed Commander of the Army

Commander in Chief during the Battle of Bunker Hill

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander of the Continental forces

Begins transforming the army while maintaining the Siege of Boston

The British forces inflict heavy casualties on Washingtons army

Crosses the Delaware River to attack the British garrison at Trenton, New Jersey

Inflicts a major defeat on the British. Crosses the Delaware & wins a victory which turns the tide of the war

Defeated at Long Island, forced to evacuate New York & retire to Pennsylvania

Re-crosses the Delaware, New Jersey

This record states: After the battle, Cornwallis abandons many of his posts in New Jersey, and orders his army to retreat to New Brunswick.

This record states: Defeats the British, New Jersey.

This record states: The Battle at Princeton cost the British some 276 men killed, wounded or captured and greatly boosted the morale of the Continental troops, leading 8,000 new recruits to join the Continental Army.

This record states: Washington reforms his army, and then splits it into two parts-the smaller left wing under General Nathaniel Greene and the larger right wing under General John Sullivan.

The Battle at Princeton cost the British some 276 men killed, wounded or captured and greatly boosted the morale of the Continental troops, leading 8,000 new recruits to join the Continental Army

Howe forces George Washington back towards Philadelphia

Washington is left with dictatorial powers. British victory forcing the evacuation of Philadelphia. A British victory which forces Congress to move from Philadelphia to York

British victory forcing the evacuation of Philadelphia

General William Howe defeats Washington & occupies Philadelphia

Suppresses a possible mutiny at a winter camp near Morristown after series of defeats

The National Congress renames itself "The United States in Congress Assembled"

The National Congress renames itself "The United States in Congress Assembled"

The National Congress renames itself "The United States in Congress Assembled"

The capitulation at Yorktown ends major combat and confirms the collapse of Britain's southern campaign.

Lord Cornwallis surrenders with 7,000 men marking the end of fighting in the war

Yorktown, Virginia, surrenders to Washington & the French fleet

The Articles of Confederation give Congress minimum powers over individual states. Attempts are made to avoid over centralization after independence

The Articles of Confederation give Congress minimum powers over individual states

Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States

Congress formally proclaims end to War against Britain

Resigns as Commander in Chief

The US Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris

The US Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris

Attends a Federal Convention producing the Articles of Confederation

Attends a Federal Convention producing the Articles of Confederation

Attends a Federal Convention producing the Articles of Confederation

Attends a Federal Convention producing the Articles of Confederation

The Federal Confederation produces the Constitution of the USA. The Federal Confederation must be endorsed by at least 9 of the 13 States

Appointed President of the USA, 1st President, 1st term

New Hampshire becomes the 9th State to ratify the Constitution

1st Congress of the US is held in New York

Takes the oath of office on the balcony of Frederick Hall, New York

Elected after the Federal Convention is created for organizing the Union of States

Elected after the Federal Convention is created for organizing the Union of States

The Federal Convention is created as the best way of organizing the Union of States. Elected after the Federal Convention is created for organizing the Union of States

Elected after the Federal Convention is created for organizing the Union of States

Appointed President of the USA, 1st President, 2nd term

The Federal Convention is created as the best way of organizing the Union of States

All 13 states approve the Bill of Rights. A Bill of Rights is added to the new Constitution of the United States

All 13 states approve the Bill of Rights. A Bill of Rights is added to the new Constitution of the United States

Issues the proclamation fixing the federal district on the Potomac

Signs the act incorporating the Bank of the United States

Vermont becomes the 14th State of the Union

Vermont becomes the fourteenth state of the Union

The Bill of Rights comes into effect

President when the first ten amendments take effect as the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights comes into effect

1st USA Cabinet meeting, department heads in Washingtons House

Congress votes to forbid participation in the slave trade with foreign nations

A declaration of neutrality to keep America out of the war between Britain & France

Lays the foundation stone of the seat of US Government

first President of the USA elected for his 2nd term

Washington mobilises militia to enforce the federal excise tax on distilled spirits.