events
American War of Independence: British general Thomas Gage declares martial law in Massachusetts. The British offer a pardon to all colonists who lay down their arms. There would be only two exceptions to the amnesty: Samuel Adams and John Hancock, if captured, were to be hanged.
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American Revolutionary War
1775–1783 American war of independence from Great Britain
The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which American Patriot forces organized as the Continental Army and commanded…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
British Army
Land warfare force of the United Kingdom
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom. As of 1 January 2025, the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Gurkhas, 25,742 volunteer reserve personnel and 4,697 "other personnel", for a total of 108,413.Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Thomas Gage
British Army officer and colonial administrator (1718/19–1787)
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.Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Martial law
Imposition of direct military control or suspension of civil law by a government
Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties may be suspended for as long as…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Province of Massachusetts Bay
British colony in North America from 1691 to 1776
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in New England which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States. It was chartered on October 7, 1691, by William III and Mary II, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and was…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Samuel Adams
Founding Father of the United States (1722–1803)
Samuel Adams was an American statesman, political philosopher, and a Founding Father of the United States. He was a politician in colonial Massachusetts, a leader of the movement that became the American Revolution, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and other…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
John Hancock
American Founding Father (1737–1793)
John Hancock was an American Founding Father, merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He was the longest-serving president of the Continental Congress, having served as the second president of the Second Continental Congress and the seventh…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)