Events Leading Up to the Writing and Signing of the Declaration
April 5, 1764- Britain begins enforcing new laws and taxes.
March 22, 1765- Stamp Act is created requiring that all paper materials have to be taxed.
October 1765- Colonists form the Stamp Act congress to protest.
March 18, 1766- Parliament repeals the Stamp Act but passes the Declaratory Act, saying that Parliament can make and pass laws.
June 29, 1767- Townshend Act is passed which taxes various items such as paper, glass, paint, lead and tea.
March 5, 1770- Boston Massacre happens when the British try to control angry colonists and open fire. The British kill 5 colonists.
May 10, 1773- Tea Act is passed declaring that the East India Company can sell tea directly to the Colonies.
December 16, 1773- Boston Tea Party takes place on the night of December 16, 1773 in Boston Harbor. Outraged colonists throw 342 chests of tea into the harbor.
March 31, 1774- Britain responds to the Boston Tea Party with a new set of laws, limiting Massachusetts' colonial charter, banning town meetings and forcing British troops to stay in colonial houses.
September 5, 1774- 1st Continental Congress meets at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. Congress writes a Declaration of Rights, expressing the Colonies' complaints. They begin training militia and renew America's boycott of British goods.
April 19, 1775- Fighting breaks out in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The fight for independence begins.
May 10, 1775- 2nd Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. They send the Olive Branch Petition to the King, asking for peace between Britain and the colonies.
March 22, 1765- Stamp Act is created requiring that all paper materials have to be taxed.
October 1765- Colonists form the Stamp Act congress to protest.
March 18, 1766- Parliament repeals the Stamp Act but passes the Declaratory Act, saying that Parliament can make and pass laws.
June 29, 1767- Townshend Act is passed which taxes various items such as paper, glass, paint, lead and tea.
March 5, 1770- Boston Massacre happens when the British try to control angry colonists and open fire. The British kill 5 colonists.
May 10, 1773- Tea Act is passed declaring that the East India Company can sell tea directly to the Colonies.
December 16, 1773- Boston Tea Party takes place on the night of December 16, 1773 in Boston Harbor. Outraged colonists throw 342 chests of tea into the harbor.
March 31, 1774- Britain responds to the Boston Tea Party with a new set of laws, limiting Massachusetts' colonial charter, banning town meetings and forcing British troops to stay in colonial houses.
September 5, 1774- 1st Continental Congress meets at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. Congress writes a Declaration of Rights, expressing the Colonies' complaints. They begin training militia and renew America's boycott of British goods.
April 19, 1775- Fighting breaks out in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The fight for independence begins.
May 10, 1775- 2nd Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. They send the Olive Branch Petition to the King, asking for peace between Britain and the colonies.