American History

Jamestown

May 4, 1607

Jamestown was the first permenant settlement in the new world, and it was colonized by Britain.

Virginia House of Burgesses

Jul 30, 1619

The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America. It was used to help establish and pursuade europeans to move to the New World.

Mayflower Compact

May 11, 1620

This was the first form of government by the colonists. This was the foundatoin of the government of the United States today.

Bacon's Rebellion

Feb 23, 1676

This was a rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley. With disorganized political structures, there was mass participitation.

Salem Witch Trials

Feb 23, 1693

The Salem Witch Trials were the prosecutions and executions of numerous women, accusing them of being a witch. This took place in Colonial Massachusetts.

Trial of John Peter Zenger

Feb 23, 1733

John Peter Zenger was accused of Libel, or opposing his government with published information. He never denied writing these things, which made a verdict clear, however the jury proved him not guilty under the means of freedom.

French and Indian War

Mar 2, 1754

This was called the Seven Years War outside of the colonies. It was where the English and French battled for colonial dominance in North America, India, and the Carribean.

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 17, 1763

This was issued by King George III after Great Britains acquisition of French territory in North America after the end of the French and Indian War. It restricted all settlers from settling along a certain line drawn along the Appalachain Mountains

Stamp Act

Mar 2, 1765

Imposed a direct tax on the colonies. Also required that most printed materials in the colonies were to be produced on stamped paper and produced in London, carrying a revenue stamp.

Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

The colonists had to house British soldiers and provide them with basic living materials.

Declatory Act

Mar 18, 1766

This was used by Britain to assert authority to make laws binding the colonists in all cases.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Five colonists were killed by British soldiers. Tensions had been getting high and this was a high point for this time.

Tea Act

May 10, 1773

Its main objective was to help the financially troubled British East India Company. This also was to undercut the price of illegal tea, smuggled into Britain's North American colonies. The Tea Act was supposed to convince colonists to purchase the Company tea

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Merchants in Boston refused to concede to Patriot pressure. The Sons of Liberty boarded three ships in the Boston harbor and threw 342 chests of tea overboard.

1st Continental Congress

Oct 26, 1774

A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They considered boycotting british trade.

2nd Continental Congress

Feb 25, 1775

Meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies. The delegates managed the colonial war effort, and moved closer towards independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This was a document that declared the thirteen colonies were no longer a part of the British empire. Announced that the thirteen American colonies were now regarded as thirteen newly independent states.