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Settlers Land in Jamestown
In 1607, English settlers landed in Virginia and founded Jamestown, the first English colony that was settled in the new land, America.
This event is significant because it marked the first of many English establishments in America. It was the foundation of the United States.
(A History of Jamestown) -
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was a series of conflict in Europe that took place mostly in Germany from 1618-1648 and began with a revolt against the Holy Roman Empire.
This event is significant because it marked a tumultuous period in European history, and resulted in a shift of power in Europe.
(Thirty Years' War) -
Date of Birth
On Christmas day in in 1642, Hannah Newton gave birth to a petite son at Woolsthorpe Manor, in Lincolnshire, England. The boy was so small that upon his birth, his death was presumed. He wore a special collar that supported the big head on his small frame, and "for a long time remained very much below the size of children his own age."
This event is significant because although it was presumed he would die after birth, Isaac Newton lived to age 84 and died a noted scientist.
(Christianson 10) -
Cromwellian Tyranny
Oliver Cromwell was sent to pacify Ireland. He landed in Dublin on August 15. From this point onwards, Cromwell assaulted Irish cities for revenge. He led Ireland in a tyranny; thousands of Irish were killed.
This event is significant because Oliver Cromwell ruled during the time that the English monarchy was abolished, and also during Newton's early lifetime.
(Walsh) -
Return of the English Monarchy
In May of 1660, Charles II regained his position as monarch in England, and ended the Commonwealth of England along with 11 years of militaty rule. This was known as the English Restoration.
This event was significant because Newton went on to later work for the Mint, a political office in the Monarchy.
(The English Restoration) -
Bachelor's Degree
In the year 1665, Isaac Newton earned his Bachelor's degree from Trinity College in Cambridge after studying physics and mathematics.
This event is significant because Newton used his degrees to become a professor at the very college he studied at, and used his knowledge of the subjects to discover many principles.
(Byers 369) -
Experimental Stages
During an epidemic of plague, Newton was sent home while Trinity College was closed. In this time, he made important discoveries after conducting his own experiments. He created a basis for calculus, made a breakthrough in optics, and discovered the idea of universal gravitation, when he observed an apple fall from a tree.
This event proves significant because it was the foundation for the natural laws that Newton is best known for having discovered.
(Byers 369) -
Optical Advancements and Planetary Orbits
Isaac Newton conducted a famous experiment in which he used the refractive principle to make advancements in the science of light.This lead to the improvement of the effectiveness of the telescope. In this year, Newton also invented a special mathematical system so that could calculate the paths of planetary orbits.
This event is significant because without these discoveries, Newton may never have been admitted into the Royal Society or may never have famously written his book Opticks.
(Hatch) -
Master's Degree
Isaac Newton recieved his Master's degree from Trinity College in Cambridge.
This event is significant because Newton used his degrees to become a professor at the very college he studied at, and used his knowledge of the subjects to discover many principles.
(Hatch) -
Lucasian Professor of Mathmatics
In this year, Isaac Newton replaced his own Mathematics professor, Barrow, at Trinity College. Here, Newton would work as a mathematics professor for the next 27 years.
This event is significant because Isaac Newton spent 27 years of his life teaching in the field of mathematics. He gained many prestigious honors for his work in the field. He even invented calculus!
(Byers 369) -
Royal Society
Isaac Newton was admitted into the Royal Society for the Promotion of Natural Knowledge for his invention of the the reflector telescope.
This event is significant because later, the Royal Society would encourage Newton to share and publish his research on universal gravitation. He would later become the group's president.
(Hatch) -
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy
On July 5, 1687 Isaac Newton published "Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematiqua." It was completed in 18 months. Many books were added to the original. The main ideas of these books were the idea that celestial bodies follow laws of dynamics, mathematical solutions to motion laws, and the motion of these bodies based upon his laws, or Newtonian Philosophy.
This is significant because Newton is known best for his ideals on universal gravitation and motion, shared in his book.
(Beck 549) -
Glorious Revolution
From 1688-1689, the Glorious Revolution was fought to replace the reigning king, James II, with his daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange.
This event is significant because it established the power of British Parliament in England and rid of an awful monarch by replacing him with a new one.
(Vallance) -
Salem Witch Trials
From June to September of 1692, men and women throughout Salem were being convicted of and facing accusations of Witchcraft.
This event is significant because in a British colony, citizens were being killed and sentenced for no solid reason. It eventually ended, but showed how misjudgement and lies could hurt the colony and its citizens. Trials were no longer based upon superstitial evidence.
(Linder) -
Bank of England Founded
The Bank of England was established to act as the Government's banker and debt-manager and has since developed into the center of the United Kingdom's financial system.
The Bank of England is significant because it still today ensures that the economy and money in England remains stable and that all of the economic policies of England are upheld.
(History) -
Warden
Politics began to strike Newton as interesting, and he became Warden of the Mint in 1696.
This event is significant because Newton left his job at Trinity College to focus on his high position in the Royal Mint. This event lead to him becoming Master of the Mint in 1700.
(Byers 370) -
Master of the Mint
Newton became the Master of the Mint in 1700. This was an important office. The Master held the highest title and position in the Royal Mint.
This event is significant because as Master, he successfully reduced variation in the weight of coins during the minting process. He also reduced the size of admissible error.
(History: Sir Isaac Newton) -
War of Spanish Succession
From 1701-1714, a war was fought to determine the succession of the throne of Spain after King Charles II dies without children. The Treaty of Utrecht decided upon the inheritance of the Spanish throne.
This event is significant because French ambitions of a wider European hegemony were demolished, and a balance of power retained in Europe.
(War of the Spanish Succession) -
President of the Royal Society
Isaac Newton became president of the Royal Society in 1705, and remained so until 1727.
This event is significant because as president of the Royal Society, Newton served as the government's advisor for scientific matters, led the Fellows,or members, and entertained distinguished foreign guests and scientists.
(History: Sir Isaac Newton) -
Opticks
Newton published the first edition of his book, "Opticks," in February of 1704. The book described the nature of light, based on Newton's experiments with prisms, refraction, defraction, behavior of color with spectral lights, etc.
The writing of Opticks was significant, because Newton was able to thwart the suggestions of Aristotle that pure light was white or colorless, and proves instead that it was made of different spectral hues.
(Byers 370) (Hatch) -
Kinghted by the Queen
Newton was knighted by Queen Anne for his services to science. Hereafter, he became known as Sir Isaac Newton.
This event is significant because Isaac Newton was awarded for his hard work in the field of science, and officially became known as Sir Isaac Newton for the rest of his life.
(Hatch) -
Death of Sir Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton died on March 20 1727 after health failures earlier that month. He died at Kensington, and was buried at Westminster Abbey on April 4.
This event is significant because only those who had a great effect on the world during their lifetime could be buried at Westminster Abbey. Henceforth, Newton's burial marked his official postion as an important historical figure.
(Hatch) (History: Sir Isaac Newton)
