American Revolutionary War

Historical eventSeptember 161776

American Revolutionary War

American Revolutionary War: American colonists defeated British troops at the Battle of Harlem Heights on the island of Manhattan.

250th anniversary in 2026

Everything on September 16Original source

In context

When
Monday, September 16 1776250 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
18th century · 1770s
Anniversary
250th in 2026
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1776.

What happened

The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence or simply the American Revolution, 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 by George Washington, defeated the British Army. The conflict was fought in North America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The war's outcome seemed uncertain for most of the war,

September 16 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1776American Revolutionary War
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  4. 2007One-Two-Go Airlines Flight 269
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  6. 2014Siege of Kobanî
  7. 20152015 Illapel earthquake
  8. 20212021 Luxian earthquake
  9. 2021Inspiration4
  10. 2022Let Yet Kone massacre
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Also in 1776

  • September 11Staten Island Peace ConferenceBritish and American leaders held a peace conference on Staten Island, New York, in the hopes of bringing an end to the nascent American…
  • September 15American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: British forces made an unopposed amphibious landing at Kips Bay on Manhattan, the American defenders having f…
  • May 4American RevolutionAmerican Revolution: The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations became the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its alle…
  • November 16American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: Fort Washington on Manhattan was captured from the Patriots by British and Hessian units.
  • July 8United States Declaration of IndependenceThe United States Declaration of Independence received its first formal public reading, in Philadelphia.
  • June 8American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: British forces defeated the Continental Army at the Battle of Trois-Rivières, the last battle of the American…
  • December 26American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War: George Washington led a Continental Army column across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against…
  • August 27William Howe, 5th Viscount HoweBritish forces led by William Howe defeated the Continental Army under George Washington at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle…

Everything we record for 1776 →

Sources

Cite this page

“American Revolutionary War”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/american-revolutionary-war-1776-september-16, accessed October 27, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did American Revolutionary War happen?

September 16 1776 — 250 years ago, on a Monday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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