Declaration of Independence (3:04)
To many in the Continental Congress, war was unthinkable. So why did they finally create this revolutionary document?
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Videos (16)
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Declaration of Independence
Declaration of IndependenceVideo Clip (3:04)
Video Clip (3:04)
To many in the Continental Congress, war was unthinkable. So why did they finally create this revolutionary document?
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American Revolution
American RevolutionVideo Clip (3:20)
Video Clip (3:20)
Get the story of how a fledgling, largely disconnected nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.
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James Madison: Did You Know?
James Madison: Did You Know?Video Clip (1:36)
Video Clip (1:36)
At just 5'4", James Madison was hardly a commanding presence, but that didn't stop him from shaping American history.
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Colonists Protest British Policies
Colonists Protest British PoliciesVideo Clip (3:05)
Video Clip (3:05)
From the 1760's onward, colonial anger grows as the British pass a series of taxes and laws. With each one, the two groups move closer to war.
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The Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea PartyVideo Clip (1:52)
Video Clip (1:52)
In 1771, a group of colonists protest thirteen years of increasing British oppression, by attacking merchant ships in Boston Harbor. In retaliation, the British close the port, and inflict even harsher penalties.
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Boston Massacre Sparks a Revolution
Boston Massacre Sparks a RevolutionVideo Clip (1:42)
Video Clip (1:42)
The shooting of several men by British soldiers in 1770 enflames passions in the colonies.
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Jefferson and the Continental Congress
Jefferson and the Continental CongressVideo Clip (3:33)
Video Clip (3:33)
Over 17 days, Thomas Jefferson writes what will become the mission statement for a revolution and a new nation: the Declaration of Independence.
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First Revolutionary Battle at Lexington & Concord
First Revolutionary Battle at Lexington & ConcordVideo Clip (1:58)
Video Clip (1:58)
In April 1775, when British troops are sent to confiscate colonial weapons, they run into an untrained and angry militia. This ragtag army defeats 700 British soldiers and the surprise victory bolsters their confidence for the war ahead.
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Matt Damon: The Declaration of Independence
Matt Damon: The Declaration of IndependenceVideo Clip (2:02)
Video Clip (2:02)
Actor Matt Damon performs and discusses the Declaration of Independence.
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Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence
Jefferson Writes the Declaration of IndependenceVideo Clip (2:37)
Video Clip (2:37)
At 33, Thomas Jefferson wrote the original draft of America's historic Declaration of Independence, which was approved by the Continental Congress after several days of debate and revisions on July 4, 1776.
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British Victory at Bunker Hill
British Victory at Bunker HillVideo Clip (1:42)
Video Clip (1:42)
A fatal lack of ammunition dooms the colonists chances in an early American Revolutionary battle near Boston.
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Washington Escapes Brooklyn
Washington Escapes BrooklynVideo Clip (2:05)
Video Clip (2:05)
As British General William Howe anticipates surrender, General Washington fleas across the East River under cover of darkness.
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Washington's Surprise Attack on Trenton
Washington's Surprise Attack on TrentonVideo Clip (1:40)
Video Clip (1:40)
By Christmas, 1777, in desperate need of a victory, Washington defies military convention with a nighttime assault in the dead of winter.
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Battle of Saratoga Turns the Tide
Battle of Saratoga Turns the TideVideo Clip (2:22)
Video Clip (2:22)
In 1777, the colonists force the surrender of 6,000 British troops in New York State. This first major victory convinces France to enter the conflict on the Americans' side.
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American Victory at Yorktown
American Victory at YorktownVideo Clip (1:50)
Video Clip (1:50)
A two pronged attack by French & American forces defeats General Cornwallis in Virginia. Two years later, the Treaty of Paris will officially end the war
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The Founding Fathers Unite
The Founding Fathers UniteVideo Clip (2:51)
Video Clip (2:51)
Who wrote which parts of the anonymous Federalist Papers? Madison and Jefferson disagree.
Photo Galleries (7)
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American Revolution: Continental Congress
American Revolution: Continental Congress(11 Photos)
11 Photos
Discover the accomplishments of the First and Second Constitutional Congresses, and learn about the major players behind such documents as the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris.
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American Revolution: Events and Battles
American Revolution: Events and Battles(12 Photos)
12 Photos
Explore Revolutionary battle sites such as Lexington, Concord and Yorktown, and learn how the events that took place there shaped the course of the war.
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American Revolution: Key Military Figures
American Revolution: Key Military Figures(10 Photos)
10 Photos
View images of key military figures from the American Revolution, and learn what role they played in this war of independence.
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American Revolution: Flags and Fliers
American Revolution: Flags and Fliers(10 Photos)
10 Photos
Discover some of the flags and fliers that circulated amongst the colonies before and during the American Revolution.
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George Washington
George Washington(17 Photos)
17 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of George Washington.
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John Adams
John Adams(7 Photos)
7 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of John Adams.
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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson(11 Photos)
11 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Thomas Jefferson.
Interactives (1)
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Warriors GameInteractive
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From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States.
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