<human>:  Tell me the major historical events that happened in the year 1776?
<bot>: In 1776, the United States Declaration of Independence was signed, officially separating the 13 colonies from Britain and establishing the United States of America. Also in that year, General George Washington won the Battle of Long Island, the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Additionally, the British were defeated by the Americans at the Battle of Trenton.