George III (r. 1760 – 1776, in the colonies; died 1820) refuses the read the “Olive Branch Petition,” instead declaring the colonies to be in rebellion and the colonists to be traitors.
[restored 7/3/2021]
Subsequent Events:
References:
“Chronology of Events, 1774-1804,” from The Debate on the Constitution, two volumes, Bernard Bailyn, ed., (New York: Library of America, 1992), 2:1028.
Current U.s. National Debt:
