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1492
Colombian Exchange
In 1492, when Columbus “sailed the ocean blue,” he thought he was sailing to “the East.” Instead of reaching Asia, however, he arrived at an island in the Bahamas. While historians still debate whether Columbus was the first to discover America, there is little doubt he was the first to initiate what is known today as “The Colombian Exchange.” . -
Roanoke Mystery
Roanoke was settled in 1587. John White, the governor of Roanoke returned to England to get more supplies. When he returned in August 1590 there was no sign of anyone including his own family. Croatan was found carved into the trees. This is what began hundreds of years of mystery still researched today. -
1st baby born in North America
The first baby in the new worlds name is Virginia Dare. Born on August 18 1587. Road named after Virginia Dare in the Outer Banks. -
John Smith Arrested
Smith reported he was imprisoned on the voyage to Virginia about February 21, 1606/07, just after the fleet stopped for water, wood, and food, because he was "suspected for a supposed Mutiny, though never so much matter. " Barbour believed there may have been a dispute there over how to go about the gathering. -
Jamestown uses Slaves
In late August 1619, the White Lion, an English privateer commanded by John Jope, sailed into Point Comfort and dropped anchor in the James River. Virginia colonist John Rolfe documented the arrival of the ship and “20 and odd” Africans on board. His journal entry is immortalized in textbooks, with 1619 often used as a reference point for teaching the origins of slavery in America. -
First Thanksgiving
Colonists were likely outnumbered more than two to one by their Native guests it was recorded that “many of the Indians coming and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men.” The preceding winter had been a harsh one. Seventy-eight percent of the women who had traveled on the Mayflower had perished that winter, leaving only around 50 colonists to attend. According to eyewitness accounts there were 22 men, just four women and over 25 children and teenagers. -
Massachusetts bay colony
This colony was settled by puritans to avoid religious persecution. -
New England colony
Establishing the New England Colonies. A group of Puritans known as the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower from England and the Netherlands to establish Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, the second successful English colony in North America following Jamestown, Virginia. -
Middle colony
Establishing the New England Colonies. A group of Puritans known as the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower from England and the Netherlands to establish Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, the second successful English colony in North America following Jamestown, Virginia. -
Triangular trade route
Triangular trade is a term that describes the Atlantic trade routes between three different destinations, or countries, in Colonial Times. The Triangular Trade routes, covered England, Europe, Africa, the Americas and the West Indies. The West Indies supplied slaves, sugar, molasses and fruits to the American colonies.