Timeline

April 19, 1775

American Revolution starts.

September 17, 1787

Thirty nine delegates vote to approve and then sign the final draft of the new Constitution.

July 14, 1789

In France, the French Revolution begins.

September 29, 1789

The US army is established by Congress.

April 17, 1790

Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84.

July 10, 1790

The House of Representatives votes to locate the national capital on a 10 square-mile site along the Potomac, with President George Washington choosing the exact location.

November 16, 1793

Cotton Gin invented.

December 7, 1796

John Adams is elected second president of the US.

July, 1798

Congress passes what are known as the Alien and Sedition Acts.

June, 1800

The US capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.