America 250 Anniversary Timeline

Learn about important dates events that lead up to the ratification of on the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 in Philadelphia, PA through our interactive timeline!

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Bill of Rights Institute America 250 Newsletter

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This Day in American History

May 14

Sacagawea Saves the Corps of Discovery

May 17

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education

May 20

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law

June 19

Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued an order enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation

June 20

Audie Murphy, WWII soldier and Medal of Honor recipient was born

June 23

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in South Dakota v. Dole

1774 - United States Semiquincentennial

March 25

Colonist throw ninety housand pounds of tea worth £10,000 into Boston Harbor.

July

Thomas Jefferson drafts the Summary View of the Rights of British America.

October 14

The first Continental Congress  passes the Declaration and Resolves.

1775 - United States Semiquincentennial

March 23

Patrick Henry’s gives his “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” at St. Marks's Church in Richmond, VA.

April 18

Paul Revere rides through the streets of Boston warning "The British are coming!".

April 19

The Battles of Lexington and Concord  in Massachusetts where colonist showcase the rising spirit of American resistance.

May 10

Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies convened to discuss their on-going greivences again Great Britain.

1776 - United States Semiquincentennial

June 14

The Second Continential Congress establishes the Continential Army.

June 15

The Second Continental Congress appoints George Washington Chief of the Continental Army.

June 17

The Battle of Bunker Hill

June 19

George Washington receives the commission for Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

Celebrating America 250 Mini Documentaries

Learn more about the road to independence through this mini documentary series. Additional videos will be released throughout the 2025-26 school year.

On April 19, 1775, the world changed forever. Find out how!

Discover the intensity and stakes of one of the most consequential debates in American history.

On June 17, 1775 British troops clashed with the Continenital Army just outside Boston. Learn more!

More Resources from America's Founding

Page

American Founders

Bios of 25 of the men and women who shaped the United States.

Page

Founders’ Quotes

Playlist

Path to Independence Primary Sources

A collection of the primary sources that are used in the Path to Independence lesson in Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (Chapter 3).

Activity

The Path to Independence Timeline

A sequencing activity to help students understand the order of the response of the Colonists to the British Parliament.

Activity

The Path to Independence Graphic Organizer

A graphic organizer that helps student understand the documents that proceeded the Declaration of Independence in the Colonist relationship to the British Parliament.

Lesson

The Declaration of Independence

4 Activities

What were the philosophical bases and practical purposes of the Declaration of Independence?

Bill of Rights Institute America 250 Newsletter

January 2025

February 2025

March 2025

April 2025

May 2025

This Day in American History

May 14

May 17

May 20

June 19

June 20

June 23

1774 - United States Semiquincentennial

March 25

July

October 14

1775 - United States Semiquincentennial

March 23

April 18

April 19

May 10

1776 - United States Semiquincentennial

June 14

June 15

June 17

June 19

Celebrating America 250 Mini Documentaries

More Resources from America's Founding

American Founders

Founders’ Quotes

Path to Independence Primary Sources

The Path to Independence Timeline

The Path to Independence Graphic Organizer

The Declaration of Independence