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Apr 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Document guaranteeing basic rights to the British. -
Roanoke
Roanoke Colony founded by Walter Raleigh on Roanoke Island. Settlers dissapeared in 1590. -
Jamestown
First permanent settlement in America. -
House of Burgesses
First representative assembly in America. -
Providence, Rhode Island
Roger Williams founds Providence, Rhoce Island. It was a democratic colony that separated Church and state. -
Navigation Act
Regulated trade to suit English needs. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon, a farmer, led others to attack British governor, William Berkely and burned Jamestown. The rebellion collapsed once Bacon died, and 23 others were executed. -
Pennsylvania Founded
William Penn made payment to Delaware indians for Pennsylvania. -
Salem Witch Trials
20 alleged witches killed in Salem, MA. -
Great Awakening
The Great Awakening- A revival of religious fervour in the colonies- began. -
Poor Richard's Almanac published
Benjamin Franklin published Poor Richard's Almanac, which was continued until 1757. -
Zenger Trial
John Peter Zenger put in court after criticizing the British king. -
French and Indian War
Part of the worldwide struggle between Britain and France, taking place in America. Peace was made Feb 10, 1763. French lost Canada and the Midwest. -
Sugar Act
Placed tariffs on lmber, food, molasses, and rum to pay for British debt. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act made colonists buy stamps to send letters to increase British revenue. However, it was repealed March 17, 1766. -
Quartering Act
Required Colonists to house British troops. -
Townshend Acts
Series of laws passed that placed taxes on glass, lead, paper, and tea. All except the tax on tea were repealed. -
Boston Massacre
British troops fired at and killed 5 people in Boston, enraging colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty dumped the cargo of a British ship into the Boston harbor to protest the tax on tea. -
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts banned the colonies' self-rule, and the use of the Boston harbor.
The First Continental Congress decided on using civil disobedience against the British. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress decided on using civil disobedience against the British. -
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!"
Patrick Henry said this to the Virginia convention, and it quickly became famous. -
The Midnight Ride
Paul Revere and other messengers rode to Concord to tell them the British were attacking. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
First battle of the Revolution, the patriots killed 273 British, only taking 8 casualties. -
Common Sense published
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, convincing colonists to fight. -
Declaration of Independence signed
The Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, -
Battle of Saratoga
British General Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga, the turning point of the war. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation are adopted as the first government of the U.S. Later replaced by the Constitution. -
Defeat of the Serapis
John Paul Jones, captain of the Bonhomme Richard, defeats the British Serapis. -
Battle of Yorktown
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris signed, ending the Revolution. -
George Washington Elected President
George Washington is elected first President of the U.S. -
Bill of Rights Made
The Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution, giving everyone their "Inalienable Rights". -
Cotton Gin Invented
Eli Whitney invents the Cotton gin, changing Southern society. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington gives his farewell address, setting a precedent. This speech warned against political parties and alliances. -
Marbury v. Madison Case
This case established Judicial Review. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Lousiana Territory is bought for $15 million, doubling the size of the US. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Oliver Hazard Perry defeats the British at Lake Erie. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark explore the West. -
First Steamboat
Robert Fulton invents the steamboat. -
War of 1812
US declared war on Britain for seizing ships and sailors. -
National Anthem Written
Francis Scott Key writes "The Star Spangled Banner" at the battle of Fort McHenry. -
Missouri Compromise Made
The Missouri Compromise is made, banning slavery north of the 36 30 paralell in the Lousiana Territory. Also, Maine is admitted as a free state. -
Monroe Doctrine Made
The Monroe Doctrine is made, saying that there would be no new colonies in America, and that the US would protect Latin America. -
The Trail of Tears
Indians are forced off of their land from the Indian Removal Act. -
First Telegraph
The first telegraph made by Samuel FB Morse. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention is led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. It was over women's rights. -
The Compromise of 1850
California is admitted as a free state, and slave trade banned in DC, but the Fugitive Slave Law is passed to please Southerners. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Uncle Tom's Cabin, written by Harriett Beecher Stowe, is published, showing the evils of slavery. -
Dredd Scott v. Sanford Case
Said that slaves were property, and that slavery could not be banned. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected
Abraham Lincoln is elected President. -
Southern Secession
The South secedes, forming the Confederate States of America, with Jefferson Davis as President. -
Civil War Starts
The Civil War starts, with the battle of Ft. Sumter. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest one-day battle of the war, ending hopes of a short war. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the South. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address, uniting the nation. -
Appomattox Courthouse
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appottamox, ending the Civil War. -
Lincoln Assassination
Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, just days after the end of the war. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolishes Slavery. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment makes anyone born in the US a citizen. -
15th Amendment
Any race can vote, however women are left out. -
Red Cross Founded
Clara Barton founds the Red Cross.
