American History Central

An Independent Digital Encyclopedia of United States History

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Marquis de Lafayette, Portrait, Illustration

Marquis de Lafayette

Marquis de Lafayette was a French aristocrat and soldier who is most well-known in America for his support of the Patriot Cause and service in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

General John Sullivan, Portrait, Illustration

Battle of Rhode Island

The Battle of Rhode Island took place on August 29, 1778, between the United States of America and Great Britain. The outcome of the battle was inconclusive, however, it is most well-known for being the first battle of the war in which American forces fought together with allied French forces.

Richard Howe, Admiral, British Royal Navy

Admiral Richard Howe

Richard Howe was an Admiral in the British Royal Navy and commanded forces during the Revolutionary War from 1776 to 1778. He is often criticized for failing to take advantage of situations that may have ended the war as early as 1776.

Daniel Boone, First View of Kentucky, Painting, Ranney

The Wilderness Road

The Wilderness Road, which was blazed by Daniel Boone and a group of men under his command, was a vital route for American pioneers who emigrated west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is believed as many as 300,000 people took the Wilderness Road into Kentucky.

First Anglo Dutch War, Battle of Scheveningen

The First Anglo-Dutch War

The First Anglo-Dutch War was fought from 1652 to 1654 between the Commonwealth of England and the Dutch Republic. England won the war, allowing it tighten control over the American Colonies.

Colonial America and the French and Indian War

Salem Witch Trials, Howard Pyle

Salem Witch Trials (1692–1693)

The famous Witchcraft Crisis took place in Salem Village in 1692–1693.

William Brewster, Painting

Separatists (Pilgrims)

Puritan Separatists — the Pilgrims — left Europe and sailed to America for Religious Freedom.

Battle of Lake George, Johnson Saving Dieskau

Battle of Lake George (1755)

Learn about the intense battle from the French and Indian war that included the Bloody Morning Scout, the Bloody Pond, and the death of King Hendrick.

AmericaN Revolution and the Revolutionary war

Samuel Adams, Painting

Boston Massacre (1770)

When British troops fired into a crowd and killed colonists, Samuel Adams called it “The Boston Massacre.”

General Nathanael Greene, Portrait, Illustration

Nathanael Greene

Greene was a master strategist and a hero who helped lead American forces to a stunning victory in the Southern Theater.

Abraham Whipple, Painting

Gaspee Incident and Affair

The Sons of Liberty nearly started the war with Britain in 1772 when they attacked a British ship, shot a British officer, and burned the ship.

Secession, Civil War, and Reconstruction

Philip Sheridan, General

Battle of Fisher’s Hill

The Union victory at the Battle of Fisher’s Hill opened up the Shenandoah Valley and led to “The Burning,” Philip Sheridan’s scorched earth campaign.

John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln Assassin, Portrait

Lincoln Assassination

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes struck a blow for the Confederacy when he shot Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater

Abraham Lincoln, Portrait, Gardner

Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln’s proclamation freed enslaved people in areas that were in rebellion against the United States.