George III becomes King of England.

The French and Indian War (between England and France) ends. England gains all the lands in Canada and East of the Mississippi River.

To pay for all the troops they need in their new land, the English Parliament passes The Stamp Act. The colonists protest.

England repeals The Stamp Act. On the same day the Declaratory Act is passed saying that England has the right to make laws for the colonies.

British troops arrive in Boston to enforce the laws there.

In a skirmish with British troops, 5 colonists are killed. The colonists label this "The Boston Massacre."

England passes the Tea Act which was seen by many as an unfair law ("No taxation without representation!").

In Boston, people sneak onto English ships, smash open chests of tea, and dump the tea into the harbor. This is now known as The Boston Tea Party.

Parliament responds to the colonists with 4 more Acts, which come to be known as the Intolerable Acts.

In response to the Intolerable Acts, 56 delegates gather for the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. They draft a declaration of rights and grievances.

In Taunton, as a sign of protest, colonists stitch the words "Liberty & Union" onto a British Union Jack and raise the flag on Taunton Green.

Colonial and British troops meet at Lexington &  Concord. War begins with "the shot heard 'round the world."

The Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence.

After years of war, the Treaty of Paris is signed. The colonies are now independent.