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Settling of Jamestown
In 1607, 104 English men and boys arrived in North America to start a settlement. On May 13 they picked Jamestown, Virginia for their settlement, which was named after their King, James I. -
Virginia House of Brugesses
With its origin in the first meeting of the Virginia General Assembly at Jamestown in July 1619, the House of Burgesses was the first democratically-elected legislative body in the British American colonies. -
Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock
The Mayflower arrived in Plymouth Harbor in 1620, after first stopping near today's Provincetown. -
Mayflower Compact
Document signed on the English ship Mayflower on November 21, 1620, prior to its landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts. -
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Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Inspired by Thomas Hooker’s sermon of May 31, 1638, provided the framework for the government of Connecticut colony from 1639 to 1662. -
Bacon's Rebellion
An armed rebellion in 1676 by Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. -
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Glorious Revolution
Revolution of 1688 or Bloodless Revolution, in English history, the events of 1688–89 that resulted in the deposition of James II and the accession of his daughter Mary II and her husband, William III, prince of Orange and stadtholder of the Netherlands. -
English (British) Bill of Rights
A British Law, passed by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1689 that declared the rights and liberties of the people. -
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Salem Witch Trials
A series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. -
Iroquois Confederation (constitution)
Indian tribes across upper New York state that played a strategic role in the struggle between the French and British for mastery of North America. -
John Peter Zenger
For a year the paper continued its scathing attacks on Cosby until, on Nov. 17, 1734, Zenger was arrested for libel.