When Was the Revolutionary War? Key Dates and Timeline

The American Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783, with pivotal battles and alliances that shaped a new nation.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 2, 2026

Quick take

Fighting began April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord; officially ended September 3, 1783, with the Treaty of Paris.
The war lasted roughly eight years and involved thirteen British colonies declaring independence and forming the United States.
France's entry in 1778 (after Saratoga) and the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781 were the turning points.

The American Revolutionary War was the armed conflict between Great Britain and thirteen of its North American colonies, fought from April 1775 to September 1783. It ended with the colonies' independence and the creation of the United States of America. The war lasted roughly eight years and involved not just American and British forces, but also French, Spanish, and Dutch involvement by its end.

When It Started: April 1775

The war's first shots were fired on April 19, 1775, at the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. British troops marched out to seize colonial weapons and gunpowder, but encountered armed militia. These skirmishes killed roughly 70 British soldiers and 50 colonists, and they signaled that colonial resistance had moved beyond protests and petitions. Within weeks, colonial militias were mobilizing across New England, and by June, the Continental Congress had appointed George Washington as commander of the Continental Army.

The Middle Years: 1776–1778

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence formally announced the colonies' separation from Britain. However, the war was far from over. For the next two years, British forces—better trained, better equipped, and more numerous—won most major battles, including the Battle of Long Island in 1776 and the capture of New York City. The Continental Army endured harsh winters, low pay, and chronic shortages of supplies.

The turning point came in October 1777 at the Battle of Saratoga in New York, where American forces defeated a major British invasion from Canada. This victory was crucial because it convinced France that the Americans could actually win. In February 1778, France formally allied with the United States and entered the war, bringing naval power, trained soldiers, and financial support. Spain and the Dutch soon followed, turning the conflict into a broader international war.

The Final Years: 1779–1783

With French assistance, the tide shifted. The French navy helped blockade British supply lines and prevented reinforcements from reaching British commanders. Fighting spread across the South, with major engagements in Georgia and the Carolinas. The decisive moment came in September–October 1781 at Yorktown, Virginia, where American and French forces trapped a British army under Lord Cornwallis. After a three-week siege, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781, with over 7,000 troops.

Though Yorktown largely ended major combat, peace negotiations dragged on for two more years. The Treaty of Paris was finally signed on September 3, 1783, officially recognizing American independence and establishing the new nation's borders. Britain ceded territory from the Atlantic coast west to the Mississippi River.

Why These Dates Matter

The Revolutionary War's timeline matters because it shows how a ragtag colonial militia transformed into a disciplined army capable of defeating the world's most powerful military. The eight-year span also reveals how crucial foreign alliances were—without French support, the Americans likely would have lost. Understanding when key events happened helps explain why certain dates (like July 4) are central to American identity, and why the war's length and cost made the new nation's survival feel fragile even after independence was won.

Date	Event	Significance
April 19, 1775	Battles of Lexington and Concord	First military engagement; war begins
July 4, 1776	Declaration of Independence	Colonies formally claim independence
October 1777	Battle of Saratoga	American victory convinces France to join
February 1778	France enters the war	Turns conflict into international war
October 19, 1781	British surrender at Yorktown	Effectively ends major combat
September 3, 1783	Treaty of Paris signed	Official end of war; U.S. independence recognized

Why did the war last eight years if Yorktown was the major turning point?

Yorktown was a decisive military victory, but peace negotiations between Britain, America, France, Spain, and the Dutch took nearly two more years. Diplomats had to agree on borders, trade terms, and other issues. Also, some fighting continued in other theaters (the Caribbean, India) as part of the broader international conflict.

What if France hadn't joined in 1778?

The Americans likely would have lost. The Continental Army was chronically short of money, supplies, and trained soldiers. French naval power was essential to break the British blockade and prevent reinforcements. France also provided loans, weapons, and thousands of troops. Without that support, the British could have crushed the rebellion through attrition.

Was there fighting before April 1775?

There were violent clashes—like the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773—but these were not part of an organized war. April 1775 marks the start of sustained, declared military conflict between colonial militias and British forces.

How many people died in the Revolutionary War?

Roughly 25,000 Americans died (soldiers and civilians combined), and perhaps 24,000 British and allied soldiers. Disease killed more people than combat. The war was devastating for the population at the time, especially in areas where fighting was heaviest.

Did all thirteen colonies fight equally?

No. New England colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire) were most actively engaged early on. The middle colonies (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey) saw intense fighting. The southern colonies (Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia) had less fighting until 1779–1780, when the British shifted strategy southward.

Sources

Dates and events align with standard American historical records; Saratoga (October 1777) and Yorktown (October 1781) are well-documented turning points.
Casualty figures (roughly 25,000 American deaths, 24,000 British/allied) are from scholarly estimates; exact numbers vary by source.