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The British East India Company is Established
Elizabeth I grants a charter to merchants who had been trading to the East Indies, establishing the British East India Company. -
Jamestown
The colonists establish the first lasting British settlement in the New World and name it Jamestown. -
Henry Hudson sails future Hudson River
Henry Hudson anchored off the Manhattan Island and traveled up what would be called the Hudson River in order to find a way to the Far East. -
House of Burgesses is Founded
The first meeting was held between elected representatives from Virginia, establishing the House of Burgesses. -
Plymouth
The Pilgrims establish their first colony after landing in the New World and name it Plymouth -
Boston Established
John Winthrop selects the site for Boston, the first settlement in Massachusetts. -
Charles I Execution
Charles I is beheaded on a scaffold in London's Whitehall. -
Abolition of the Monarchy
Parliament votes to abolish the monarchy in England, calling it "unnecessary, burdensome, and dangerous" on February 7, 1649. The act was officially passed on March 17. -
New Amsterdam Renamed
The English Regime renames New Amsterdam to New York. -
Louisiana is claimed for France
Robert de la Salle sails the Mississippi River to its mouth claiming the region for France and calling it Louisiana.