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Founding of Jamestown◀︎
The first permanent English colony in North America is founded at Jamestown, Virginia -
Tobacco industry launched
Settlers in Jamestown start growing tobacco, which becomes the main cash crop for Virginia and Maryland -
Slavery Starts
The first Africans arrive in Jamestown, marking the beginning of North American slavery. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The Virginia House of Burgesses, the first colonial legislature, is founded at Jamestown, the beginning of
representative government in America. -
Pilgrims land
The Pilgrims land at Cape Cod, the beginning of Massachusetts. -
Mayflower Compact
The Pilgrims sign the Mayflower Compact, agreeing to govern themselves in the New World. -
City Upon a Hill
Puritan leader John Winthrop says Massachusetts should be a "city upon a hill," raising the idea that America is a
special place. -
Charleston founded
Planters from the Caribbean Island of Barbados found Charles Town (Charleston) in South Carolina. -
Rice industry begins
Settlers in Charles Town began growing rice, which becomes the main cash crop for South Carolina -
Georgia founded
Georgia is founded, the last of the 13 colonies -
First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening, a religious revival, begins at Jonathan Edwards' church in Northampton, Massachusetts,
and then sweeps the 13 colonies. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stone Rebellion erupts near Charles Town, the largest slave revolt in colonial America. -
Albany Plan of Union
With the French and Indian War about to start, Benjamin Franklin proposes the Albany Plan of Union, the first plan to
unite the colonies. -
Start of French and Indian War
France and Britain began a war that eventually will drive France from most of North America. -
End of French and Indian War
France and Britain close a war that drove France from most of North America. -
Proclamation Line of 1763
In order to keep peace with Indians, King George III of England forbids English colonists to settle west of the
Appalachian Mountains.