1776 (2024)

Plan Your Visit

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Plan Your Visit
Discover the Home of George and Martha Washington

Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC.

The Estate

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The Estate
There's So Much to See

From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. Spend the day with us!

George Washington

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George Washington
Farmer, Soldier, Statesman, and Husband

Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".

Preservation

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Preservation
Did You Know?

The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858.

Education

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Teachers
Ace Your American History Class

Need help with homework? Our Digital Encyclopedia has all of the answers students and teachers need.

In 1776, Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence while George Washington led his Continental Army to defend New York City from a British attack.

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Siege of Boston

April 19, 1775 - March 17, 1776

General Washington launched a successful attack in Boston which resulted in over 11,000 redcoats and hundreds of Loyalists fleeing the city.

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New York Campaign

August 1776 - November 1776

Because of New York City’s strategic location and status as an important port, the military campaign for New York had been in the minds of both the British and the Americans even prior to the Siege of Boston.

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Crossing the Delaware River

December 25, 1776

With the Continental Army threatening to dissolve around him, General George Washington led the remnants of his army across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night 1776.

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The Trenton-Princeton Campaign

December 1776 - January 1777

General George Washington led the remnants of his army to victory at the Battles of Second Trenton and Princeton, securing Washington's place as one of the greatest generals in world history.

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The Revolutionary War

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Washington's Revolutionary War Battles

While there were over 230 skirmishes and battles fought during the American Revolution, these are the battles where General Washington personally secured his legacy as "First in War."

The Declaration of Independence

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The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later on July 4, a declaration explaining the reasons for independence, largely written byThomas Jefferson, had also been adopted.

General Washington received official notification when a letter dated July 6 arrived fromJohn Hanco*ck, the president of the Continental Congress, along with a copy of the declaration to be read to theContinental Armyon July 9.

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Did George Washington Sign the Declaration of Independence?

The answer is no... but why not? Find out in this short video.

1776 (2024)

FAQs

What exactly happened in 1776? ›

On July 2, 1776, the Congress voted to declare independence from England. After two days of debate and some changes to the document, the Congress voted to accept the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This action represented a formal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain.

Why is 1776 popular? ›

1776 is celebrated in the United States as the official beginning of the nation, with the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies from the British Empire issued on July 4.

Was the United States established in 1776? ›

On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, voted unanimously to declare independence as the "United States of America". Two days later, on July 4, Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. The Second Continental Congress was not initially formed to declare independence.

How factual is 1776? ›

Yes, the play is a work of fiction, written by Peter Stone and composed by Sherman Edwards, but it's accurate in feel if not outright fact. 1776 gets right the different factions within the Continental Congress and that individual colonies even viewed themselves more as separate countries.

What happened in 1776 in black history? ›

During the American Revolution of 1776–1783, enslaved African Americans in the South escaped to British lines as they were promised freedom to fight with the British; additionally, many free blacks in the North fight with the colonists for the rebellion, and the Vermont Republic (a sovereign nation at the time) becomes ...

What was the United States called before 1776? ›

On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a new name for what had been called the "United Colonies.” The moniker United States of America has remained since then as a symbol of freedom and independence.

What war was in 1776? ›

The Revolutionary War was a war unlike any other—one of ideas and ideals, that shaped “the course of human events.” With 165 principal engagements from 1775-1783, the Revolutionary War was the catalyst for American independence.

What actually happened on July 4th 1776? ›

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States.

What was America like in 1776? ›

But unlike most other countries, America in 1776 had a thriving middle class. Well-to-do farmers shipped tons of corn and wheat and rice to the West Indies and Europe, using the profits to send their children to private schools and buy their wives expensive gowns and carriages.

What does 1776 have to do with guns? ›

Pennsylvania, September 28, 1776

This is the first instance in relationship to U.S. Constitutional Law of the phrase "right to bear arms".

What are the 3 original states? ›

New York is an original state. The area that is now New York used to be called New Amsterdam. It became the British colony of New York in 1664. Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York are three of the 13 original states.

How many years did British rule America? ›

British America comprised the colonial territories of the English Empire, and the successor British Empire, in the Americas from 1607 to 1783.

What is a fun fact about 1776? ›

The Declaration of Independence was not actually signed on July 4, 1776. The Second Continental Congress adopted it that day, but the 56 representatives did not take up the quill pen until Aug. 2 – nearly a month later.

Is 1776 historically accurate? ›

Overall, the film does use quite a lot of historically accurate elements to showcase the events leading up to July 4th. However, the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence is not depicted accurately.

What is the difference between what happened on July 2 1776 and July 4 1776? ›

The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. They'd been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2nd and finally agreed on all of the edits and changes.

Who ran the US from 1776 to 1789? ›

The Continental Congress that consisted of delegates from the thirteen American colonies formed the governing body during the Revolutionary War and continued until the Constitution was ratified in 1789.

Why did America want independence from Britain? ›

When the American colonies formed, they were part of Britain. Britain increased taxes for colonists on things they bought and used every day, like tea. Many colonists were angry because no one represented their needs in the British government. Colonists believed they did not have self-government.

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