Jan. 3: Washington’s defeat of the British at Princeton. Jan. 19: Publication of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis. June 14: Congress passes a bill creating the first flag of the “United States”, thirteen white stars in a blue field, with thirteen alternating red and white stripes. July 27: The Marquis de Lefeyette arrives in Philadelphia, volunteering to serve without pay in the American cause. Sep. 25-Dec. 23: The “Conway Cabal”-a plot by army officers to remove Washington from command. Oct. 17: British General Burgoyne surrenders his entire army at Saratoga, an enormous boost to the American cause at home and abroad. Nov. 15: Congress passes Articles of Confederation. Dec. 17: France recognizes independence of the United States.
