Did you know that the American Revolution wasn't just fought on land? The first naval battle of the war took place on April 24, 1778 off the coast of France, where the USS Ranger, under the command of John Paul Jones, engaged and captured the British ship HMS Drake. Another interesting fact is that the American colonies weren't the only ones seeking independence during this time. In fact, the American Revolution inspired several other revolutions around the world, including the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution. Speaking of inspiration, did you know that the famous phrase no taxation without representation actually originated in the American colonies before the Revolution? The phrase was first used by James Otis in 1761 in protest of the British government's efforts to tax the colonies without their consent. Lastly, while it's widely known that George Washington led the Continental Army to victory against the British, not many people know that he wasn't the only founding father with military experience. Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, also served as the governor of Virginia during the War. The American Revolution was a pivotal moment in history that shaped the world as we know it today, and these lesser-known facts help us appreciate the complexities and motivations behind this significant event.