The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord (Massachusetts) and ended on October 19, 1781 with the British surrender at Yorktown (Virginia). The preliminary Treaty of Paris was signed on November 30, 1782. On December 2, 1782, King George III of Great Britain announced the recognition of the 13 United States, formerly the 13 British colonies.

David Hartley, one of two British representatives, and American representatives John Adams (Massachusetts), John Jay (New York) and Benjamin Franklin (Pennsyhlvania) signed the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. France and Spain, allies of the United States of America, signed peace documents at Versailles, France on the same day. The Netherlands, another U. S. ally, also signed peace statements that day.

Specifics of the Treaty of Paris

Since the Treaty of Paris stated that at least nine of the 13 former colonies had to ratify it within six months of its signing to be official, the full recognition process was not complete until January 14, 1874, when it was ratified. The provisions of the Treaty of Paris were: