Who was involved in independence?

* George Washington: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and first President of the United States

* Thomas Jefferson: Principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States

* Benjamin Franklin: Diplomat and scientist who helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris

* John Adams: Second President of the United States and a key figure in the Continental Congress

* Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of the Treasury under President Washington and a leading advocate for a strong central government

Other Notable Figures

* Samuel Adams: A prominent Bostonian who helped organize the Boston Tea Party

* Patrick Henry: A fiery orator who helped rally support for the revolution in Virginia

* Ethan Allen: Leader of the Green Mountain Boys, a militia that captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British

* Benedict Arnold: A brilliant general who turned traitor and joined the British

* Betsy Ross: A seamstress who is credited with making the first American flag

* Phillis Wheatley: A young African American poet who published a book of her work in 1773

Ordinary Citizens

Thousands of ordinary citizens fought and died for independence, including farmers, laborers, merchants, and enslaved people. Many women also played an important role in the revolution, providing food and supplies to the troops, and caring for the sick and wounded.