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Jamestown Settlement (Virginia Colony)
Jamestown settlement is created and quickly abandoned. It is the first of the thirteen colonies. -
Mayflower Compact signed
On the Mayflower, Mayflower Compact was signed. It said that they are free to govern themselves and make just laws. -
Pilgrims settle in Plymouth (Massachusetts Colony)
Pilgrims landed in Plymouth after fleeing England for religious reasons. They wanted to practice their own religion. It became the Massachusetts Colony. -
Founding of Georgia
Georgia became the thirteenth and final colony in 1732. -
Start of the French & Indian War
This was a war between the French and British over the Ohio River Valley. The Native Americans fought with both sides although the war was named for the British fighting both the French and Native Americans. George Washington led a British force into the first battle when he was only 22. -
Stamp Act of 1765
Parliament passed the stamp act in 1765 to help pay for the troops to protect the new lands won in French & Indian War. The law placed a tax on paper products in the colonies such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists opposed the Tea Act which taxed all Tea sold in the colonies. The Boston Tea Party was in response to the Tea Act. Members of the Sons of Liberty who disguised themselves to look like Indians boarded ships and threw 342 chests of tea into the harbor which ruined the tea. Parliament closed the harbor and said no ships could go in or out until all tea in harbor was paid for by colonists. -
Revolutionary War begins
British heard colonists are storing weapons in Concord and patriot leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock were in Lexington. General Gage decided to destroy weapons and capture the leaders in one run or march. Paul Revere warned the minutemen along the way. The militia forced the British soldiers back to Boston and the Revolutionary War had begun. -
Signing of Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson and others wrote a document declaring independence from England and explaining why it was necessary. They wrote about people's rights and why governments should protect those rights. It was signed by many but John Hancock wrote his name the largest so the King could see it without his glasses. -
Washington crosses the Delaware
Washington crossed the Delaware at night to surprise the Hessians in Trenton, NJ. They defeated the Hessian troops with ease which increased morale and lead to several more victories for Washington.
