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Jamestown Settlement
The Virginia Co. founded Jamestown in what we now know as Virginia. It was the first permanent settlement. -
The House of Burgesses
Because the Jamestown settlement was did not do well, the House of Burgesses was formed to create a more stable government . It was the first legislature in America. -
Mayflower Arrives in America
On this day the Pilgrims- who had sailed to America for religious freedom- arrived at Cape Cod. They wrote the Mayflower Compact, that was their plan for government. -
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Pilgrims were being persecuted in Massachusetts for their beliefs, so they left and settled in Connecticut. They wrote The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut; the first written constitution in America. -
Massachusetts Body of Liberties
This document protected individual rights of the colonial people. By 1733, when all of the 13 colonies had been stablished, this document became a part of colonial law. -
Navagation Acts
These laws passed by the British restricted Americans and enforced mercantilism. -
King Phillip's War
This war was fought between King Phillip and Native Americans over the issue of expanding New England. -
French and Indian War
The war was between the French and the British over French territory in North America. -
The Social Contract
The Social Contract was written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It states that "man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains." Rosseau believed that the people should decide the way that they wanted to be governed. -
Stamp Act 1765
This law required Americans attach expensive tax stamps to newspapers and legal documents. -
Boston Massacre
British Soldiers in Boston fired at the crowd of colonist and killed five people. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonist dressed up as Native Americans and dumped 342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor. This act was a sign of rebellion against the Tea Act which raised taxes on tea. -
First Continental Congress
Colonist met in Philadelphia and sent a document to King George III demanding to have their rights restored. -
Second Continental Congress
The colonial leaders debate whether to be faithful to Britain or not. -
Lexington and Concord
These were the first battles in the Revolutionary War. -
Common Sense
This book was written by Thomas Paine, and it convinced many colonists to rebell against Britain -
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the Declaration of Independence. On this date, America was truly idependent, She was her own country. -
Treaty of Paris
Britain surrenders to America, and they sign the Treaty of Paris which formally ended the War -
Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote the star spangled banner while watching the battle of Baltimore on an enemy boat. This poem went on to be our national anthem.