Historical Research Library

Discover the people, events, and key documents that shaped the Founding Era.

Singers and dancers focused on Chris Jackson playing George Washington

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"First Continental Congress," by Allyn Cox, 1974 (Architect of the Capitol)

First Continental Congress, 1774

A gathering of American colonial delegates in Philadelphia to address grievances against British rule and advocate for colonial rights

Event

Map showing Howe's attack on Washington's forces on Long Island, August 1776 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC04177)

New York and New Jersey Campaigns, 1776

A series of Revolutionary War military actions in which British forces gained control over New York and New Jersey

Event

James S. Baillie, Surrender of Cornwallis, 1845 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Battle of Yorktown, 1781

A decisive victory of American and French forces that led to British surrender and American independence

Event

New York African Free-School No. 2, based on a drawing by a student, from The History of the New-York African Free-School, by Charles C. Andrews, 1830 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Founding the New-York Manumission Society, 1785

Establishing an organization to advocate gradual abolition of slavery, educate free Black people, and prevent them from being sold into slavery

Event

A 19th-century engraving of the Hamilton-Burr Duel (Granger)

Hamilton-Burr Duel, 1804

A fatal confrontation between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that stemmed from political and personal animosities and shaped American political history

Event

Historical Research Library

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First Continental Congress, 1774

New York and New Jersey Campaigns, 1776

Battle of Yorktown, 1781

Founding the New-York Manumission Society, 1785

Hamilton-Burr Duel, 1804