U.S. Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

First document forced into a king, in attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privilages.

Jamestown Settled

May 14, 1607

Jamestown was the first successful English settlement on the mainland of North America, it was founded in the colony of Virginia.

Mayflower Compact written

Nov 11, 1620

The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

Confirmed that taxes can only be levied by Parliment, and martial law may not be imposed in a time of peace.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

It lays down limits on the power of sovereign and sets out the powers of parliment and rules for freedom of speech in parliment.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

Each colonial legislature would elect delegates to an American continental assembly presided over by a royal governor

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The new tax was imposed on all American Colonies and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Situation in Boston where the British Military and Boston Civilians reached a boiling point and started fighting.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Direct action by colonists in Boston, against British Government to refuse the taxed tea.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Convention of delegates from 12 of the 13 North American colonies

Intolerable Acts

Sep 22, 1774

64 delegates met and decided on economic measures

American Revolution

Apr 19, 1775

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th Century, In which the 13 american colonies joined together to break free from the British Empire.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Convention of delegates from all 13 colonies, that met soon after warfare started in the Revolutionary War.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Stated that the 13 U.S. colonies were now independent states from Britian

Articles of Confederation

Nov 15, 1777

First Constitution of the United States and specified how the federal government was to operate.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

The rebellion produced fears that the revolution's democratic impulse had gotten out of hand.

Constitution Convection

May 25, 1787

Also known as the Philadelphia Convention, it took place to discuss the problems in governing the United States, from its independence from Great Britian.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

Also known as The Great Compromise, was an agreement reached between large and small states it defined the state legislature under the US constitution.

Philadelphia Convention

Sep 17, 1787

Created to address problems in governing the United States, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation.