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War of the Spanish Succession
Begins the last of Louis XIV's wars for domination of the continent. -
Giovanni da Verrazano
explores the coast from Carolina north to Nova Scotia, enters New York harbor. -
Benjamin Franklin; lightening rod
Franklin invented the lightening rod. The Liberty Bell was ordered from an English bell foundry to celebrate Pennsylvania's 50th anniversary. -
French and Indian War
Final conflict in the ongoing struggle between the British and French for control of eastern North America. The British win a decisive victory over the French on the PLains of Abraham outside of Quebec. -
Treaty of Paris
With the Treaty of Paris, the British formally gain control of Canada and all the French possessions east of the Mississippi -
Boston Massacre
British troops fire into a mob, killing five men and leading to intense public protest -
Boston Tea Party
Group of colonial patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians board three ships in Boston harbor and dump more than 300 crates of tea overboard as a protest against the British tea tax. -
First Continental Congress
First Continental congress meets in Philadelphia. 56 delegates represent every colony with the exception of Georgia. -
American Revolution
War of Independence fought between Great Britian and the 13 colonies on the eastern seaboard of North America. Battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, between the British army and colonial minutemen, mark the beginning of the war. -
Declaration of Independence
Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in Philidelphia. -
George Washington Elected 1st President
George Washington is elected first ever president of the United States. -
Bill of Rights
U.S. Bill of Rights ratified. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin, which greatly increases the demand for slave labor. -
John Adams Inagurated
John Adams is inaugurated as the second president in Philadelphia.
