Year by year · 18th century
1777
1777 in world history: 19 events, 10 births, 3 deaths, 4 states founded and 3 that came to an end. 1,285 recorded states existed that year.
Events
Washington defeats the British at the Battle of Princeton
After a night march from Trenton, Washington's army routed a British force at Princeton, New Jersey. Coming days after Trenton, the victory revived the American cause and pushed the British out of most of New Jersey.
Vermont declares itself an independent republic
Settlers in the New Hampshire Grants declared independence as New Connecticut, renamed Vermont that summer. The republic outlawed adult slavery and joined the United States as the 14th state in 1791.
The Marquis de Lafayette lands in South Carolina
The French officer Lafayette, coming to serve in the Continental Army, landed on North Island near Georgetown, South Carolina, after a two-month voyage aboard the Victoire. He later commanded Continental Army troops at the decisive siege of Yorktown in 1781.
Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes
The Flag Resolution called for thirteen stripes, red and white, and thirteen white stars on a blue field. The anniversary is celebrated in the US as Flag Day.
American rearguard fights the British at Hubbardton
Retreating from Fort Ticonderoga, an American rearguard fought pursuing British and German troops at Hubbardton, Vermont. Though defeated, they slowed Burgoyne's advance towards eventual surrender at Saratoga.
Benedict Arnold's ruse ends the siege of Fort Stanwix
Benedict Arnold, then fighting for the Continental Army, convinced the British by a ruse that a much larger force was arriving, and Brigadier General Barry St Leger abandoned the siege of Fort Stanwix in the Mohawk River Valley.
Howe defeats Washington at Brandywine
General William Howe outflanked Washington's army at Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania. Two weeks later the British occupied Philadelphia, and Congress fled to York.
American forces defeat Burgoyne in the second Battle of Saratoga
Near Saratoga, New York, American forces under Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold decisively defeated General John Burgoyne's British army, which surrendered on 17 October. Burgoyne's surrender persuaded France to ally with the United States, a turning point of the war.
Burgoyne surrenders his army at Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne surrendered nearly 6,000 men to American forces at Saratoga, New York. The victory persuaded France to ally with the United States, a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation
The Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. Ratified in 1781, they gave the central government too little power and were replaced in 1789.
Sir William Howe withdraws to Philadelphia after White Marsh
The British commander-in-chief, Sir William Howe, withdrew his troops to Philadelphia, ending the Battle of White Marsh, a series of skirmishes around Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania. It was the last major engagement of 1777 between British and American forces.
Americans observe the first national day of thanksgiving
The Continental Congress set aside 18 December as a day of thanksgiving for the victory at Saratoga. It was the first such national observance by the new United States.
Washington's army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge
About 12,000 Continental soldiers marched into camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Some 2,000 died of disease over the winter, but drilling under Baron von Steuben made the survivors a more effective army.
Battle
Battle of Oriskany
The Battle of Oriskany was fought on 6 August 1777 near Oriskany in central New York during the American Revolutionary War.
Treaty · Peace
First Treaty of San Ildefonso
The First Treaty of San Ildefonso was signed on 1 October 1777 by Spain and Portugal at the royal palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, ending their war over the Río de la Plata.
In the profiles
Iroquois ConfederacyThe Grand Council covers its fire as the nations take sides in the American Revolution
Tuʻi Tonga EmpireJames Cook watches the ʻinasi first-fruits ceremony at Muʻa
Wars and longer events
Born in 1777 10
Died in 1777 3
States founded 4
States that came to an end 3
All years → The 18th century →
Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). 1777. In The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1777
- MLA
- “1777.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1777. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “1777.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1777.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘1777’, The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1777 (Accessed: ).