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1492
Columbus lands in the Caribbean
In the 1490's Columbus starts a conquest through the Caribbean. -
1521
Cortes conquers the Aztec
Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec empire. -
The English found Jamestown Virginia
The Jamestown settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. -
First Africans arrive in Virginia via Dutch traders
The first Africans in Virginia were a group of twenty and odd captives originally from modern-day Angola who landed at Old Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia in late August 1619. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony is established
The Massachusetts Bay Colony, more formally The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of America around the Massachusetts Bay. -
British Navigation Acts regulate American colonial trade
The Navigation Acts, or more broadly the Acts of Trade and Navigation, was a long series of English laws that developed, promoted, and regulated English ships, shipping, trade, and commerce. -
William Penn receives charter for Pennsylvania
This charter was the governing document of William Penn's Pennsylvania until the American Revolution. -
Libel trial of John Peter Zenger helps establish free press
John Peter Zenger was a German printer and journalist in New York City. -
French and Indian War begins
The French and Indian War was a theater of the Seven Years' War, which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French. -
The proclamation of 1763 bans colonists from settling west of the Proclamation Line
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III on 7 October 1763. -
Sugar Act imposes new taxes on trade; James Otis argued that taxation without representation violates colonist’s liberties
The Sugar Act was passed by Parliament on April 5, 1764, and it arrived in the colonies during an economic depression. -
Parliament passed the Stamp Act, triggering protest throughout the colonies
The Stamp Act of 1765 was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain which imposed a direct tax on the British colonies in America. -
The Stamp Act Imposes taxes on printed materials’ Sons of Liberty organized protests and boycotts
The Stamp Act of 1765 was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain which imposed a direct tax on the British colonies in America. -
Stamp Act Congress issued Declaration of Rights and Grievances
In response to the Stamp and Tea Acts, the Declaration of Rights and Grievances was a document written by the Stamp Act Congress it was passed on October 14, 1765. -
Townshend Acts imposes new taxes on trade goods; violators to be tried in vice-admiralty courts
The Townshend Acts refers to a series of British acts of Parliament. -
Colonial merchants begin nonimportation campaign, refuse to import British goods; Daughters of Liberty help by spinning cloth
Nonimportant Agreements were attempts to force British recognition of political rights through application of economic pressure. -
British troops fire on colonists in Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a confrontation in Boston on March 5, 1770, in which a group of nine British soldiers killed three people of a crowd of three or four hundred who abused them verbally. -
British troops shoot colonists at Boston Massacre; most Townshend Acts are repealed
The Boston Massacre was a confrontation in Boston on March 5, 1770, in which a group of nine British soldiers killed three people of a crowd of three or four hundred who abused them verbally. -
At Boston, Tea Party’ colonists toss British tea in Boston Harbor
The Boston Tea Party was an American political and mercantile protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. -
Britain imposes Coercive Acts; First Continental Congress meets, passes the Suffolk resolves, and issues Declaration of Rights and Grievances
The First Continental Congress, which was comprised of delegates from the colonies, met in 1774 in reaction to the Coercive Acts. -
First shots of the War are fired at Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. -
British battle colonial militia at Lexington and Concord: Second Continental Congress meets, Selecting George Washington to Head the Continental Army
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence is signed
The United States Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America. -
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense, arguing for independence
Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. -
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown, making the end of the Revolutionary War
The siege of Yorktown began on September 28, 1781 and ended on October 19, 1781. -
The Articles of Confederation are ratified by the states
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was an agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first frame of government. -
Treaty of Paris is signed, officially recognized the independence of the United States
The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America. -
Treaty of Paris ends Revolutionary War
The Treaty of Paris, signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America. -
America ships being trading with China at the port of Canton
Benjamin Shreve, a young American captain, not only engaged in the bulk trade in tea and silk, but spent much of his time shopping in Canton for tortoise shell combs and much more. -
Shay’s Rebellion begins in Western Massachusetts
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in Western Massachusetts and Worcester in response to a debt crisis among the citizenry. -
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia drafts the Constitution of the United States
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. -
Constitution is ratified by 11 of the 13 states and goes into effect
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. -
George Washington is elected president of the United States (1789-1797)
American political leader, military general, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States.