Connecticut Developement Timeline By groupconnecticut May 1, 1614 Adrian Block discovers Connecticut River Jun 28, 1616 Epidemic wipes out thousands of Connecticut's Indian civilians Feb 20, 1633 Dutch traders establish The House of Hope Mar 3, 1636 Founding of the Connecticut Colony Mar 18, 1639 Fundamental orders are adopted Jul 20, 1675 King Philips War Sep 13, 1686 King James creates Dominion of New England Feb 10, 1754 French and Indian war begins Sep 21, 1756 First Connecticut census is taken Nov 24, 1764 Hartford Courant newspaper is started Jun 17, 1765 Stamp Act is passed by British Parliament May 20, 1769 Jonathan Trumbull becomes governor Dec 20, 1773 Boston Tea Party Jan 18, 1774 First Continental Congress meets in Philidelphia Mar 18, 1775 Battle of Lexington Jul 4, 1776 Declaration of Independance is signed Mar 18, 1788 Connecticut becomes the fifth state to join the union