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America 250
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Alabama During the Revolution Founding Fathers & Political Figures Government, Law & the Nation Iconic American Images & Symbols Ideas, Causes & Consequences Key Moments of the Revolution Revolutionary Figures & Voices

Alabama During the Revolution

December 2, 1738 – December 31, 1775
Richard Montgomery
Did you know that Alabama's state capitol owes its name to an American Revolutionary War general?
Lafayette’s Visit To Alabama
1825
Lafayette’s Visit To Alabama
For the nation’s 50th anniversary, George Washington’s former aide and “America's most prominent for
Alabama Tribes During The Revolution
1775 - 1781
Alabama Tribes During The Revolution
Which side did Alabama's indigenous groups support during the American Revolution?
Battle Of Mobile 1780
March 2 - 14, 1780
Battle Of Mobile 1780
What crucial role did Mobile, Alabama play during the American Revolution?
Alabama Veterans
 
Alabama Veterans
Did you know that over 700 revolutionary soldiers are buried in Alabama?
Proclamation of 1763
1763
Proclamation of 1763
How did a British “royal decree” make most of modern day Alabama off limits to colonial Americans?
James Willing
1750 – 1801
James Willing
Why did James Willing organize a river expedition into the Spanish West?
Alabama Land During The Revolution
1775 - 1783
Alabama Land During The Revolution
What did Alabama look like during the American Revolution?

Founding Fathers & Political Figures

September 19, 1737 - November 14, 1832
Charles Carroll
What made Founding Father Charles Carroll of Maryland so unique?
Benjamin Franklin
January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790
Benjamin Franklin
Did you know Benjamin Franklin tried to end the U.S. slave trade?
Abigail Adams
November 22, 1744 - October 28, 1818
Abigail Adams
First Lady Abigail Adams was Second President John Adams' most trusted political advisor.
Button Gwinnett
March 3, 1735 - May 19, 1777
Button Gwinnett
This signer of the Declaration of Independence was not born in America.
John Jay
December 12, 1745 - May 17, 1829
John Jay
Which Founding Father saved George Washington’s life?
Alexander Hamilton
January 11, 1755 - July 12, 1804
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers, encouraging the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
John Hancock
January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793
John Hancock
Why is a signature called a “John Hancock?”
Robert Livingston
November 27, 1746 – February 26, 1813
Robert Livingston
Did you know that Founding Father Robert R. Livingston was a river boat innovator?
Richard Henry Lee
January 20, 1732 – June 19, 1794
Richard Henry Lee
There’s a chance that the Declaration of Independence wouldn’t exist without this guy.
Thomas Jefferson
April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826
Thomas Jefferson
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson advocated for state-funded education?
John Adams
October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826
John Adams
Why did John Adams clash with Benjamin Franklin?
Edward Rutledge
November 23, 1749 - January 23, 1800
Edward Rutledge
Why did the youngest Founding Father oppose independence?
Roger Sherman
April 19, 1721 - July 23, 1793
Roger Sherman
How did Roger Sherman prevent a deadlock during the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
Samuel Adams
September 27, 1722 - October 2, 1803
Samuel Adams
Why was Founding Father Samuel Adams such a bad tax collector?
George Washington
February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799
George Washington
How did George Washington’s farewell address reshape America?
James Monroe
April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831
James Monroe
Washington was the only founding father to run unopposed for re-election…until James Monroe.
John Singleton Copley
July 3, 1738 – September 9, 1815
John Singleton Copley
This famous American Revolution painter actually married into a British Loyalist family.

Government, Law & the Nation

1787
Connecticut Compromise
Before there was a “President of the United States" or a “U.S. Congress,” how did America wage war.
Life In The 13 Colonies
1607 - 1776
Life In The 13 Colonies
Even under British rule, each of the 13 Colonies had its own distinct culture.
U.S. Constitution
1787 - 1789
U.S. Constitution
What other governments inspired the U.S. Constitution?
Continental Congresses
1774 - 1789
Continental Congresses
Before there was a “President of the United States" or a “U.S. Congress,” how did America wage war against Britain?
Treaty of Paris 1783
September 3, 1783
Treaty of Paris 1783
Why is the agreement that ended the American Revolution called the Treaty of Paris?
Bill of Rights / James Madison
December 15, 1791
Bill of Rights / James Madison
Why did the “Father of the Bill of Rights” initially oppose writing them?
Articles of Confederation
November 15, 1777
Articles of Confederation
Why didn’t the Articles of Confederation, the first draft of the Constitution, work?
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence
Where should the government get its power?

Iconic American Images & Symbols

c. 1755
Yankee Doodle
Was ‘Yankee Doodle’ America’s first diss track?
The Bald Eagle
2024
The Bald Eagle
For 242 years, we’ve assumed the Bald Eagle was our national bird. But we were wrong.
The Surrender Of Cornwallis
October 19, 1781 | 1787 - 1820
The Surrender Of Cornwallis
This Revolutionary painting is missing an essential figure.
Gadsden Flag
1775
Gadsden Flag
How did this become one of the most famous symbols of the revolution?
Albany Plan Of Union
1754
Albany Plan Of Union
This is one of the most well-known political cartoons in American history.
Stars and Stripes
1777 - 1959
Stars and Stripes
America doesn’t stay the same and neither does its flag.
James Gillray’s Rattlesnake Cartoon
1782
James Gillray’s Rattlesnake Cartoon
Before the stars and stripes, the symbol of America was a rattlesnake.
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
1786 - 1818
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
This is not the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Liberty Bell
1751
Liberty Bell
How did the Liberty Bell get its crack?
Washington Crossing the Delaware
December 25–26, 1776
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Is this the real painting of "Washington Crossing the Delaware” or not?
Painter Benjamin West
October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820
Painter Benjamin West
Did you know there's an unfinished painting depicting the moment that ended the American Revolution?
National Anthem
March 3, 1931
National Anthem
Learn the story behind the first official U.S. national anthem.

Ideas, Causes & Consequences

April 19, 1775 - September 3, 1783
Human Cost Of The Revolution
Though Patriot forces were victorious in their fight for independence, what did it cost them?
Seven Years’ War
1754 – 1763
Seven Years’ War
How did the Seven Years’ War lead directly to the American Revolution?
“Observations on the New Constitution” by Mercy Otis Warren
February 1788
“Observations on the New Constitution” by Mercy Otis Warren
This pamphlet may be one reason why we have a Bill of Rights today.
Charles Cornwallis
December 31, 1738 - October 5, 1805
Charles Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis served the crown and was often George Washington’s battlefield counterpart.
Taxation Without Representation
 
Taxation Without Representation
Was the American Revolution really a war over taxes?
King George III
June 4, 1738 - January 29, 1820
King George III
A complicated symbol of tyranny for the American Colonies.
The Intolerable Acts
March 31 - June 22, 1774
The Intolerable Acts
Did Britain punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party?
Grievances Against the King
July 4, 1776
Grievances Against the King
How did colonists employ language to paint King George III as a tyrant?
The Stamp Act
March 22, 1765
The Stamp Act
How did a tax spark a revolution?
Common Sense
January 10, 1776
Common Sense
How did a 47-page pamphlet kickstart a revolution?
Westward Expansion
1801-1861
Westward Expansion
How did the end of the Revolution increase tensions between the U.S. and Native Americans?

Key Moments of the Revolution

June 17, 1775
Battle of Bunker Hill
How did American soldiers prove they could challenge the British army, despite taking a loss?
Siege of Yorktown
September 28 – October 19, 1781
Siege of Yorktown
This three-week battle was the defining victory for the Patriots, ending British rule.
Winter At Valley Forge
1777–1778
Winter At Valley Forge
Winter at Valley Forge was not the Continental Army’s lowest moment. Here's why.
The Boston Massacre
March 5, 1770
The Boston Massacre
How did Paul Revere use the Boston Massacre to gain support for the revolution?
The Boston Tea Party
December 16, 1773
The Boston Tea Party
American colonists forced several tea ships back to Great Britain in an act of defiance.
Battles of Lexington and Concord
April 19, 1775
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Who fired the “shot heard ‘round the world”?

Revolutionary Figures & Voices

c. 1752 – c. 1813 or 1831
Sophia Durant
Like Paul Revere, Sophia Durant rode miles to stop an attack on her home in Wetumpka, Alabama.
Alexander McGillivray
December 15, 1750 – February 17, 1793
Alexander McGillivray
How did Alexander McGillivray’s multi-cultural background help him navigate the American Revolution?
Sons of Liberty
1765 – 1783
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty are most famous for staging the Boston Tea Party.
Polly Cooper
 
Polly Cooper
Many Patriot soldiers owe their lives to one woman from the Oneida Nation.
Crispus Attucks
c. 1723 – March 5, 1770
Crispus Attucks
Who was the first casualty of the American Revolution?
Daughters of Liberty
1765 - 1780
Daughters of Liberty
Who were the Daughters of Liberty?
Deborah Sampson
December 17, 1760 - April 29, 1827
Deborah Sampson
Disguised as a man, Sampson joined the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment during the Revolution.
Betsy Ross
January 1, 1752 - January 30, 1836
Betsy Ross
There’s no definitive proof that Betsy Ross designed the first American flag.
Phillis Wheatley
c. 1753 – December 5, 1784
Phillis Wheatley
How did a poet from Africa land a meeting with George Washington?
Mery Otis Warren
September 14, 1728 – October 19, 1814
Mery Otis Warren
This New England woman with Puritan roots became one of the fiercest critics of the British Empire.
John Locke
August 29, 1632 - October 28, 1704
John Locke
How did the Founders come up with the famous line “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"?
Martha Washington
June 2, 1731 – May 22, 1802
Martha Washington
Martha Washington created the blueprint for all the First Ladies after her.
A Woman seeing a Jungle appear from her Phone

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