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1513
Ponce de Leon Begins Exploring Florida
Left Puerto Rico in search of gold and the Fountain of Youth. -
1524
Giovanni da Verrazano Explores Atlantic Coast
Sent by the King of France to explore the Atlantic Coast -
1577
Circumnavigation of the Globe
Sir Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe with intent to pass around South America through the Strait of Magellan -
Jamestown Colonists Arrive in Virginia
London Company send three ships and 144 colonists to Virginia. About 100 survive the crossing. -
Henry Hudson looks for a Passage to the Northwest
The Dutch sent the English explorer Henry Hudson to look for a passage to the northwest. -
Pilgrims Settle in Plymouth
Half of the pilgrims were on the small ship Mayflower when it set sail. -
Mayflower Compact Signed
Promises allegiance to King James. Agreed to make just and equal laws for the good of the colony. -
Bradford Elected Governor of Plymouth
Led the colony until just before his death in 1657. -
John Winthrop Takes Charge of 11 Ships to New England
Winthrop took a fleet of 11 ships and some 700 people to sail to New England. -
Anne Hutchinson's Brother in Law Leaves Massachusetts
Left Massachusetts to create a settlement. It is known today as New Hampshire. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Adopted America's first written constitution. Extended voting rights to all free men. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon formed a small army and launched a rebellion. He launched the rebellion because his slave overseer was killed by Indians. -
Salem Witch Trials
Nineteen people believed to be witches were executed and others died in jail. Witch trials were soon condemned and remaining "witches" were freed. -
Queen Anne's War Ends
England takes parts of present-day eastern Canada from France. -
Georgia
The last of the original 13 colonies, Georgia, is founded.
