Alliance Benjamin Franklin and French Foreign Minister
Meets the French Foreign Minister & begins a 2 1/2 yr campaign to win French support
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1776 in United States of America
Explore 37 historical events and records for United States of America in 1776.
Historical records for United States of America in 1776
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 37 of 37 unique records.
37Unique records
1 of 1Page
20Named events on this page
9Named people on this page
6Places on this page
May
Meeting with The French Foreign Minister & begins a
Meets the French Foreign Minister & begins a 2 1/2 year campaign to win French support
June
Declaration of Independence
Congress appoints Jefferson to a committee to draft the declaration of independence
Independence of United States of America
Congress appoints Jefferson to a committee to draft the declaration of independence
Constitution of USA
Congress appoints a committee headed by John Dickinson to prepare a confederation plan
Declaration of Independence
The draft declaration of independence is presented to Congress
Independence of United States of America
The draft declaration of independence is presented to Congress
July
Congress of Continental
Declaration of Independence, equality, right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
Constitution of USA
Declares Government by consent of the people
Constitution of USA
Declaration of Independence, equality, right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration is adopted by the Continental Congress & signed by John Hancock. Signs the Declaration of Independence in large letters so King George can read it. Hancock is best-remembered for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence, so much so that "John Hancock" has become, in the United States, an informal synonym for "signature"
Declaration of Independence
Declares equality, right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. Declaration of Independence, equality, right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
Independence of United States of America
The Declaration is adopted by the Continental Congress & signed by John Hancock
Independence of United States of America
Declares equality, right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
Constitution of USA
Presents the plan for confederation of 13 Colonies to Congress
August
Seal
Suggests "E Pluribus Unum" as a motto for the Seal of the US
September
Diplomatic Commissioner
Appointed Diplomatic Commissioner to negotiate treaties with the European Nations
Diplomatic Commissioner
Appointed Diplomatic Commissioner to negotiate treaties with the European Nations
Diplomatic Negotiations
Appointed Diplomatic Commissioner to negotiate treaties with the European Nations
Diplomatic Negotiations
Appointed Diplomatic Commissioner to negotiate treaties with the European Nations
Independence of United States of America
Appointed Diplomatic Commissioner to negotiate treaties with the European Nations
October
Battle of White Plains
The British forces inflict heavy casualties on Washingtons army
December
Siege of Trenton
Crosses the Delaware River to attack the British garrison at Trenton, New Jersey
Battle of Trenton
Inflicts a major defeat on the British. Crosses the Delaware & wins a victory which turns the tide of the war
Commission
Appointed Commissioner to France
Other events (month unknown)
Battle of Long Island
Defeated at Long Island, forced to evacuate New York & retire to Pennsylvania
Battle of Trenton
Re-crosses the Delaware, New Jersey
Bill of Rights
Virginia Bill of Rights, embodies sovereignty by means of the separation of powers
Brigadier General
Appointed Brigadier General of the Continental Army
Constitution of USA
Virginia Bill of Rights, embodies sovereignty by means of the separation of powers. Legislates for the separation of Church & State. Legislates for the elective principle for officers of State
Continental Army
Appointed Brigadier General of the Continental Army
Continental Army
Appointed Major General of the Continental Army
Continental Army
Appointed Major General of the Continental Army
Major
Appointed Major General of the Continental Army
Major
Appointed Major General of the Continental Army
Reform of Government
Legislates for the separation of Church & State
Siege of Boston
The Massachusetts provincial Congress authorizes raising 13,000 militia. The British garrison in Boston is then besieged by 15,000 Colonialists
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.