March, 1770
In Boston, a small squad of British soldiers, panicked by a mob of angry citizens, fires into the crowd, killing five. The event is given a name, "The Boston Massacre", and strengthens the resolve of Colonial protesters who oppose the policies of King George III.

October, 1770
A relatively obscure Boston lawyer, John Adams, accepts the unpopular role as defense council for the British officer charged with murdering the private citizens. While politically unwise, Adams understands that justice, not politics is the priority. After a somewhat rowdy trial, the British officer is acquitted, and Adams' reputation as a champion of the rule of law elevates his name to prominence.

June, 1772
In Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, the British gunship Gaspee is burned by angry citizens, after the ship captain had abused his authority by raiding local merchants. The event triggers retaliation by King George, who responds by removing the right of the colonies to exercise their own independent courts. The move infuriates John Adams, who begins to grow closer to the angry protest movement led by his cousin, Sam.

December, 1772
In London, Ben Franklin secures a packet of indiscreet private letters written by Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson, and ships the letters to Boston. Revealed by his private comments to be a man who supports the most heavy-handed policies of the king, Hutchinson is now made a symbol for all that is wrong with the king's policies.

December, 1773
Three merchant ships anchored in Boston Harbor are boarded by an angry mob of colonial activists weakly disguised as Mohawk Indians. The "Mohawks" throw 342 chests of tea into the harbor, the most visible and blatant protest yet of the king's policies. The event is known everywhere as "The Boston Tea Party".

January, 1774
In response to the destruction of the tea, Ben Franklin, the most visible colonial representative in London, is publicly humiliated in a hearing of the king's ministers. While carrying no legal weight, the hearing convinces Franklin that his days in London are numbered, and that the escalating conflict between the king and his colonies is growing dangerously explosive.

April, 1774
General Thomas Gage, vacationing in England, is sent by King George back to Boston, to replace the ineffectual Hutchinson as Governor, and to command an increasing presence of English troops, with orders to put down any rebellion by force, but by no means, start a war. Gage accepts the duty with the grim realization that it may be an impossible task.

September, 1774
As other colonies begin to awaken to the controversy in Boston, Virginia leads a call for a Congress, at which representatives can gather to discuss their grievances and possible responses to the king's growing oppression. The representatives meet in Philadelphia, are known as The First Continental Congress, which concludes by sending the king a petition, requesting attention be given to their grievances. In London, the petition is ignored.

April, 1775
General Gage orders British troops to march into the countryside west of Boston, to retrieve a cache of colonial weapons believed to be housed at a farm. Warned of their approach by Paul Revere, the British are confronted by a small line of colonial militia at the village green in Lexington. The British troops fire into the militia, killing eight men. Marching then to the small town of Concord, they are met by a considerably larger number of militia. The confrontation is one-sided, the British decimated by the brief fight. Despite Gage's best efforts, the war has begun.

June, 1775
John Adams suggests that the one member of the Congress most qualified be appointed to command the new colonial army confronting Gage in Boston. The Congress approves the selection of George Washington to be the commander-in-chief.

June, 1775
When the colonial troops occupy Charlestown Peninsula, north of Boston, Gage responds by launching an all-out assault to crush the colonial militia. The result is the Battle of Breed's Hill (Bunker Hill), which though technically is a British victory, the price in loss of men is staggering, and appalling to Gage's superiors in London.

July, 1775
Washington arrives to take command of the troops at Boston, a transition that is uncomfortable to both the Virginia commander and his army of New Englanders.

July, 1775
The Second Continental Congress approves an Olive Branch Petition, a last-gasp effort to prevent a total break with England. King George responds by proclaiming the colonies in a state of rebellion.

January, 1776
The cause of the colonies is brought further into focus with the publication of a pamphlet, entitled "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. United by Paine's words, a vast majority of people in all thirteen colonies begin to identify themselves as Americans, and not as subjects of the king.

April, 1776
Washington devises a grand strategy to drive the British out of Boston and break the siege. General Howe obliges him by evacuating the city, the British fleet vacating the harbor, and thus avoiding the fight.

July, 1776
After lengthy debate, a document primarily written by Virginian Thomas Jefferson is approved by the Continental Congress, calling for complete and total separation from England. It is titled, "The Declaration of Independence".