You’re going to read a play about Rip Van Winkle, a man who falls asleep in 1769 and magically wakes up 20 years later. Here are five facts you should know first.
1. In 1769, the United States was not yet a country.
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Dutch ships arrive in what is now New York City in 1667.
Native Americans lived across North America for thousands of years. People from Europe began claiming land in the 1500s. One of the first groups to come over were the Dutch. They were from a country called the Netherlands. The British also came over. They were from Great Britain.
2. By 1769, Great Britain had taken over.
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Great Britain, the 13 Colonies, and the Netherlands
The land along the east coast was divided into 13 areas called colonies. These were ruled by Great Britain and its king, George III. People living in the colonies were called colonists.
3. Many colonists were not happy with Great Britain.
Colonists Illustration by Randy Pollak
Colonists could get punished for criticizing King George III. In the 1760s, the king also forced colonists to pay taxes, or extra fees, on items such as sugar, paper, and tea. That made many colonists angry. They wanted to break away from Great Britain and form a new country.
4. In 1775, war started.
Courtesy of The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
George Washington and his army in 1776
In April 1775, shots were fired between colonists and British soldiers. It was the beginning of the American Revolution. Soon the colonists formed an army to fight against the British. It was led by a man named George Washington.
5. In 1783, the colonists won the war.
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An early U.S. flag
After the war ended, the United States of America officially became a country. In 1789, George Washington was elected the first U.S. president.
Are you ready to read a play about this time period?
Read the play “Rip Van Winkle.”
This article was originally published in the March/April 2026 issue.
