1. The Fog That Saved America and other crazy stories

2. The Declaration of Independence was officially signed on August 8.

3. Over the next several weeks, England sent the largest force ever used to deal with a “distant foe”:

4. More than 400 warships…

5. …32,000 soldiers (bigger than any city in America)

6. George Washington had… 20,000 men no fighting ships volunteers few supplies no tents no bayonetes

7. August 27, 1776 The Battle of Long Island

8. The British crushed the Americans, and used their bayonets frequently on the Americans… including many who had surrendered.

9. The American army was trapped, and the British were sending more ships to surround them.

10. After this meteorological miracle, the US army was saved, but England was a little miffed.

11. The British destroyed Manhattan.

12. On your map…

13. August 27, 1776 The British won, but the 9,000 Americans escaped thanks to mega-thick fog.

14. The Battles of Trenton and Princeton

15. George Washington was worried that the Americans were about to lose the war. “ I think the game is pretty near up…” From a letter to his brother, December 18, 1776

16. His last gasp… 2,400 men 18 cannons 9 miles

17. Oh, yeah, it involved 9 miles of marching… through a blizzard… at 4 AM.

19. Then Gdub pulled another fast one on the way to Princeton…

21. December 25, 1776 and January 3, 1777 The US surprised Hessians (German soldiers hired by the British) on Christmas night. Then, days later, they left the fires burning and took over Princeton.

22. Next Up: The British plan to divide the colonies by capturing New York with a three part plan.

23. Part 1: The British forces from Fort Oswego would head to Albany to meet… Part 2: General John Burgoyne’s troops arriving from Canada who would also be met there by… Part 3: General Howe’s troops sailing up the Hudson River from New York City. It would look like this:

24. Burgoyne Howe

25. Sounds good, but it folded faster than Superman on laundry day. Here’s why:

26. Burgoyne Howe Huh?? Biff Pow

27. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the war. After the second battle at Saratoga, France decided to offer help against the British. Why?

28. George Washington and his men spent the winter of 1777- 1778 in Valley Forge, PA.

29. The Americans were joined by European volunteers and trained Marquis de Lafayette of France and Prussian Baron von Steuben.