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Oct 9, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was drafted by British nobles in the early 13th century as a response injustices commited by King John I. The document is considered the first to limit the power of a ruler. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right is a major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. The Petition contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and restricts the use of martial law. -
English Bill of Rights
The rights in this document reflected the ideas of philosopher John Locke. The Bill of Rights is still in effect. -
Albany Plan of Union
A proposal made by Benjamin Franklin during the French and Indian War to unite the colonies under one government. Franklin's plan of union was one several put forth by delegates at the Albany Congress. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law that required many important printed materials be printed on official stamped paper imported from London. This tax was on of many known known as the Intolerable Acts. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers occupying Boston fired on a crowd of angry colonist. Five Americans were killed, and six were injured. -
Boston Tea Party
Protesters of the tea tax stormed the Boston Harbor and disposed of tea imported by the East India Tea Co. The protest was led by the Sons of Liberty. -
Intolerable Acts
A series of laws passed by the British Parliament relating to Britain's colonies in North America. The acts triggered outrage and resistance in the Thirteen Colonies that later became the United States, and were important developments in the growth of the American Revolution. -
American Revolution Begins
The Revolution began in Lexington with abattle between 700 British troops and 77 armed minutemen under Captain John Parker. When the brief Battle of Lexington ended, eight Americans lay dead or dying and 10 others were wounded, only one British soldier was injured. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence declared the independence of the 13 colonies, then at war with Great Britiain, to the English monarch and the world. The document also listed the offences of King George. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was an agreement drafted by the original 13 states. The document established American as a confederation of sovereign states and served as it's first constitution. -
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in central and western Massachusetts. The rebellion was a result of post war economic grievances. -
Philadelphia Convention
This convention took place to address problems in governing the U.S., which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation. The U.S. Constitution was a result of this convention. -
Connecticut Compromise
This was a major agreement reached between small and large states at the Constitutional Convention regarding the U.S. Constitution. It retained the bicameral legislature proposed by James Madison and added proportional representation in the lower house.
