George Washington's Siege of Boston Cemented His Role in the American Revolution

The successful campaign helped establish Washington as the face of the revolutionary movement.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than a decade before becoming the country's first president, George Washington led a critical campaign in the early days of the American Revolution. The Siege of Boston, which lasted nearly a year, was Washington's first campaign as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and set the stage for his military and political successes that were later celebrated on Presidents Day.

Why it matters

The Siege of Boston was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, as it forced the British to abandon the city and denied them access to an important port. The success of the siege gave new life and momentum to the revolution, and cemented Washington's role as the face of the patriot cause.

The details

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, militias had pinned down the British in Boston in April 1775. Washington, a surveyor and farmer who had been out of the military for nearly 20 years, was selected by the Continental Congress to lead the newly formed Continental Army. A critical decision made by Washington was sending Henry Knox to retrieve dozens of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, which were then used to fire on British positions. This contributed to the British decision to abandon the city by boat on March 17, 1776.

  • The Siege of Boston lasted nearly a year, from April 1775 to March 1776.
  • On February 16, 1776, Washington would have been nearing the end of the siege.

The players

George Washington

The commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, who later became the first President of the United States.

Henry Knox

A young bookseller who was tasked by Washington to retrieve dozens of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, which were then used to fire on British positions during the Siege of Boston.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The success of the Siege of Boston gave new life and momentum to the Revolution. Had it failed, royal control of New England would have continued, and the Continental Army likely would have dissolved.”

— Chris Beagan, Site manager at Longfellow House in Cambridge, a National Historic Site that served as Washington's headquarters during the American Revolution

“He comes to embody the cause in a time before you have a nation, before you have a Declaration of Independence, before you're really sure what is the goal of this struggle. He becomes the face of the revolutionary movement.”

— Doug Bradburn, President of George Washington's Mount Vernon

What’s next

Historians and experts will continue to analyze the significance of the Siege of Boston and its impact on George Washington's rise to prominence as a military and political leader in the American Revolution.

The takeaway

The successful Siege of Boston under Washington's leadership was a critical turning point in the American Revolution, helping to establish him as the face of the patriot cause and paving the way for his future role as the first President of the United States.