January 2 - George Washington designs the first U.S. flag with thirteen red and white stripes and a Union Jack in the corner.
January 5 - The assembly of New Hampshire adopts the first state constitution.
January 9 - Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense" in which he states the case for American independence from England.
June 4 - American General Charles Lee takes command of the colonial forces in Charleston, South Carolina.
June 27 - Thomas Hickey is publicly hanged for conspiring to deliver George Washington to the British.
June 28 - Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence is presented to Congress for consideration.
July 9 - The Declaration of Independence is read to the colonial troops, and they tear down a statue of King George III.
July 12 - A plan for confederation of the 13 colonies is presented to the Continental Congress by John Dickinson.
August 2 - The parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence is signed in Philadelphia by most of the 55 members of the Continental Congress.
September 5 - The Marine Committee of America standardizes naval uniforms.
September 9 - The Continental Congress decides that all commissions or other documents of the Congress should now use the term United States in place of United Colonies.
September 21 - A fire sweeps through New York City, destroying nearly 300 buildings.
September 22 - Nathan Hale is executed as a spy by the British in New York City.
December 5 - Phi Betta Kappa, an honorary scholastic fraternity, is founded at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
December 8 - George Washington and the American troops cross the Delaware River.
December 19 - "The American Crisis" essays on the Revolutionary War appear in the Pennsylvania Journal.
December 24 - General Washington stages a surprise attack against the British at Trenton, New Jersey and wins.
December 26 - 1,000 Hessians are captured in Trenton, New Jersey by a victorious George Washington at The Battle of Trenton.
