English what map

The Germanic Family of Languages

By Daniel Briggs
  • 450

    Earliest known Old English inscriptions

    Earliest known Old English inscriptions
    450-480 Earliest known Old English inscriptions.
    Old English
  • Jan 1, 1150

    Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English

    Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English
    Middle English
  • Jan 1, 1348

    English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools

    English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools
    Middle English
  • Jan 1, 1400

    The Great Vowel Shift begins

    The Great Vowel Shift begins
    Middle English
  • Jan 1, 1476

    William Caxton establishes the first English printing press

    William Caxton establishes the first English printing press
    Early Modern English

  • The first permanent English settlement

    The first permanent English settlement
    The first permanent English settlement in the New World (Jamestown) is established

  • Samuel Johnson publishes his English dictionary

    Samuel Johnson publishes his English dictionary

  • The American Declaration of Independence

    The American Declaration of Independence
    Thomas Jefferson writes the American Declaration of Independence

  • Webster publishes his American English dictionary

    Webster publishes his American English dictionary

  • The Oxford English Dictionary is published

    The Oxford English Dictionary is published

  • Settlement of Britain by Germanic invaders begins

    Settlement of Britain by Germanic invaders begins
    Local inhabitants speak Celtish