1492 was the beginning of a new world era. Columbus would sail under the Spanish flag and discover lands not know to the Europeans. Shortly, thereafter, many European nations would send explorers seeking new opportunities in the new world. England attempted to start a colony in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia. Thirteen years later, the Pilgrims would arrive in Plymouth to begin their successful plantation. The Puritans followed and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony with the help of Plymouth. Flash forward 100 years and there are colonies thriving throughout what is now the Northeastern United States. The French had their stake in the land, as well as, the English. The Native Americans had their land too. In 1756 the Seven Years’ War would begin between the French and English over land rights. A young 22 year old George Washington would fight in that war. He had 2 horses shot out from under him and 4 musket ball holes shot through his coat. Providence protected him for America’s future. After the war, England needed money to pay for their war debt. King George III and Parliament began taxing the colonists without giving them a voice in the matter. There was the Sugar Act of 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767, and the Tea Act of 1773. Throughout all this, tension was rising between British soldiers and colonists. In 1770, the Boston Massacre occurred where 5 civilians would die. By the end of 1773, the Boston Tea Party would result in 342 chests of tea being dumped into the harbor from British ships. The First Continental Congress would meet from September 5, 1774-late October 1774. 55 representatives would be present from all of the colonies except Georgia. The meeting would be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Carpenters’ Hall discussing the repeal of the Intolerable Acts and attempting to establish peace with England. Tensions would continue to escalate, however, and the bloody battles of Lexington and Concord would ensue on April 19, 1775. In May 1775, the Second Continental Congress would gather again, but this time in the Pennsylvania State House, to draft an Olive Leaf Petition to King George III in the hopes of a peaceful resolution to the recent conflicts. A Continental Army was created with George Washington selected as the Commander-in Chief.

To be continued….