Many businesses in the colonies cease trading when the Stamp Act comes into effect with most colonists refusing to use the stamps. In New York City, violence breaks out as a mob harasses British troops and starts looting houses.

1766 The Stamp Act is repealed, but the Declaratory Act is enforced, giving the British government absolute power to legislate any law governing the colonies.

1767 Britain introduces the Townshend Revenue Acts, imposing a new series of taxes on the colonists on imports such as paper, tea, glass, lead and paints.

5 March, 1770 - A mob of colonists is fired on by British soldiers, killing five and injuring several others in an incident that becomes known as the Boston Massacre.

British troops are later withdrawn from Boston and the Townshend Acts are repealed. Duties on all imports are eliminated except for tea.

1773 The Tea Act takes effect, ensuring the near bankrupt British East India Company a virtual tea monopoly by allowing it to sell directly to colonial agents, thereby underselling American merchants.

16 December, 1773 - Colonial activists disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians then board ships and dump containers of tea into Boston harbour in an act known as the Boston Tea Party.

18 April 1775 Some 800 British soldiers are dispatched to Concord to eliminate a weapons depot. About 70 armed Massachusetts militiamen meet them and a shot 'heard around the world' begins the American Revolution. George Washington leads the colonist Continental Army to fight against British rule.

1776 Thomas Jefferson produces the first draft of an American Declaration of Independence. His final version is endorsed by Congress on 4 July and the American colonies declare independence.

1781 A confederation of rebel states defeats the British at the Battle of Yorktown.

1783 Britain accepts loss of colonies by signong the Treaty of Paris.

1787 The Founding Fathers draw up the new constitution for the United States of America which is approved on 17 September.

The Legislative Branch consists of two houses with a President, to be elected every four years, heading the Executive.

1788 The Constitution of the United States comes into effect, having been ratified by the required nine states. Captain James Cook discovers Hawaii which he names the Sandwich Islands.

1789 George Washington is elected as the first president of USA

1791 The Bill of Rights guarantees individual freedom.