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| 1776, July 4 |
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| DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE adopted. | 1 |
| Following the British evacuation of Boston, Washington proceeded to New York. | 2 |
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| Aug. 27 |
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| Battle of Long Island, with defeat of General Israel Putnam and retreat to New York. | 3 |
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| Sept. 15 |
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| New York occupied by the British; Washington retreated to Harlem Heights. | 4 |
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| Oct. 11–13 |
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| Arnold defeated in two naval engagements on Lake Champlain. | 5 |
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| Nov. 28 |
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| Beginning of Washington's retreat across New Jersey into Pennsylvania. | 6 |
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| Dec. 26 |
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| Battle of Trenton. Crossing the Delaware by night, Washington surprised and captured about a thousand Hessians at Trenton. | 7 |
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| Oct. 17 |
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| Burgoyne surrendered his entire force to General Horatio Gates. | 8 |
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| Sept. 11 |
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| Battle of Brandywine. The Americans, under General Nathanael Greene, were defeated. | 9 |
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| Sept. 27 |
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| Howe occupied Philadelphia. | 10 |
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| Oct. 4 |
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| Attempting to surprise the camp at Germantown, Washington was defeated in the Battle of Germantown. With the capture of Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer on Nov. 16 and 20, British control of the Delaware was complete. | 11 |
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