Major Events
- Jan 10 "Common Sense" Pamphlet by Thomas Paine published, advocating American independence
- Mar 9 Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations"
- Jun 11 Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members
- Jul 2 Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"
- Jul 4 US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain
- Aug 2 Formal signing of the US Declaration of Independence by 56 people (date most accepted by modern historians)
- Sep 9 Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)
- Sep 10 George Washington asks for a spy volunteer, Nathan Hale volunteers
- Nov 16 British troops capture Fort Washington during American Revolution
- Dec 19 Thomas Paine publishes his first "American Crisis" essay beginning "These are the times that try men's souls" (date disputed)
- More 1776 Events
Did You Know?
In a bar decorated with bird tail in Elmsford, New York, a customer requests a glassful of “those cock tails” from bartender Betsy Flanagan
Sophie Germain
Amedeo Avogadro
John Harrison
David Hume
Nathan HaleArticles About 1776
Snakes Alive! It's St Patrick's Day
Today is St Patrick’s Day – an event celebrated not just in Ireland but across the world, particularly in the United States with its large Irish communities.March 17
Yippee! It's Independence Day for the U.S.
The United States declared itself independent of Britain on this day. Ever since, celebrations marking the event have taken place every year across the country.July 4
United States Declaration of Independence
Engrossed copy of the United States Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4
First Lady Pours Scorn Upon a King
American independence from Britain was declared and on this day a future US President's wife expressed her joy.July 21
Famous Weddings in 1776
- Oct 7 Crown Prince Paul of Russia marries Sophie Marie Dorothea of Württemberg.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Frederick North
Frederick the Great
Louis XVI