Outbreak of the American Revolution

Date: September 1, 1774 • Location: London, United Kingdom

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1775–1783.

Under orders from Governor Thomas Gage, British soldiers removed gunpowder from a magazine in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which caused Patriots to prepare for war.

General Thomas Gage was a British Army officer and colonial administrator best known for his many years of service in North America, including serving as Commander-in-Chief, North America during the early days of the American Revolution.