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1492
1492 Christopher Columbus
Columbus accidentally lands on an island in the Caribbean. He discovers North America, but does not find a way around to India. -
1528
1528-1536 Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Spanish explorer Vaca lands in Florida and spends eight years walking through modern day Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. -
1607 Jamestown
Jamestown Virginia settlement is founded. The first English permanent settlement founded in North America. -
1620 Mayflower
The Mayflower Pilgrims land at Plymouth. They short lived colony is important because of the fact they are escaping religious persecution of England. The colony combines with others in 1691 to form the Province of Massachusetts Bay. -
1675 Metacomet's War
The war waged on the Massachusetts colonies by natives begin. Started because Metacom did not keep the peace treaties with English settlers. The English settlers said natives had to give up their guns or peace treaties could not go on. So war began and it ended in 1678. -
1690 Slavery
Slavery exists in all English colonies in North America. The need for labor on in colonies was high and slaves was the solution. The slaves were from Atlantic Slave trade transported from Africa to Caribbean to North American Colonies. -
1692 Salem Witch Trials
Twenty people accused and executed of being witches in Salem Massachusetts. Started from a group of girls claiming to be possessed by the devil and accusing several women of witchcraft. -
1700 Booming Population
European settlers that live in the United States is 251,000. -
1721 Smallpox
The smallpox epidemic hits Boston. Out of a population of 11,000 there was 6,000 cases of smallpox with 850 dying from the disease. The disease was deadly, but was a milestone for practices of now what is modern medicine. -
1748 The Spirit of Laws
France's Montesquieu publishes this study of government, and later it is reflected in the United States Constitution. -
1752 Ben Franklin
Franklin's experiment with a kite and a key proves that lighting is a manifestation of electricity. This helps later harass electricity's power. -
1763 French and Indian War Ends
The war ends because of British gaining control of most French North American Territory. -
1765 Stamp Act
British make a unfair tax on colonists on stamps. This is the first of many unfair taxes. The colonists hold Stamp Act congress to protest the tax, and the King repels in 1766. -
1773 Boston Tea Party
occurs in Boston Harbor. The colonists protest by throwing tea over into the sea on Boston Harbor because of unfair taxes. -
1775 American Revolution
The first shots are fired at Lexington and Concord Massachusetts. The colonists are fighting for independence from great Britain with the birth of the Declaration of Independence in 1766. -
1781 End of American Revolution
The war ends with America gaining independence in Yorktown, Virginia. Now from 1781-1788 America is governed under Articles of Confederation. -
1789 George Washington
George Washington is named as first United States president under the United States Constitution. -
1792 New York
The New York Stock exchange is organized. -
1793 Cotton Gin Invention
Calls for increase in slave labor on plantations in the south. Slavery is needed for the survival of southern incomes. -
1800 Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is created. John Adams orders that a library is needed for congress and creates the library of congress. -
1800 Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is named the capital of the United States.