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Jamestown Established
Three English ships landed in Jamestown, VA, establishing the first English settlement in the United States. There were 103 settlers upon arrival and Captain John Smith was made in charge of the settlement. -
France Enters the Scene
Samuel Champlain led a French exploration to the New World and discovered Lake Champlain. Him and his party battled the Iroquois people and claimed Vermont to belong to France. Champlain is known as "The Father of New France". -
First Slaves in America
The first African American slaves were brought to Jamestown in 1619 by the Dutch. -
The House of Burgesses
The first representative assembly held in America was called the House of Burgesses. This meeting was held in Jamestown. -
Plymouth Rock
The Puritans who sailed to the New World on the Mayflower established the Plymouth colony. A landing party was sent off the boat in search of a place to build the colony. Plymouth Rock was identified as the first solid land the Pilgrims set foot on and Plymouth Harbor was where they settled. -
The First Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving was held in September/October of 1621 in celebration of the Wampanoag tribe helping the settlers survive their first winter. The celebration lasted 3 days. -
Providence, Rhode Island
Roger Williams founded the Providence colony in June 1636, 2 years after being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
General Assembly of Rhode Island
The constitution of the General Assembly of Rhode Island was drafted to separate the church and the state and to give the public more advantages. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against Governor Berkeley which caused the burning of Jamestown. Bacon was killed as well as 23 other rebels. -
France Claims Louisiana
Robert Cavelier explored the lower Mississippi River valley (The Louisiana Territory) and France claimed the land. -
Plymouth Joins Massachusetts
The Plymouth colony, which had remained independent since its founding, joined the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691.
