Proclamation of Rebellion

Date: August 23, 1775 • Location: London, United Kingdom

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

King George III issued a proclamation that declared elements of the American colonies of Great Britain to be in a state of "open and avowed rebellion".

George III was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 25 October 1760 until his death in 1820. He was concurrently duke and prince-elector of Hanover in the Holy Roman Empire before becoming King of Hanover on 12 October 1814. He was the first monarch of the House of Hanover who was born in Great Britain, spoke English as his first language, and never visited Hanover.