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Oct 12, 1492
Leading The columbus
Columbus and his crew make landfall on the island of Guanahani, probably San Salvador Island, also called Watlings Island, one of the Bahamas islands. -
Apr 4, 1513
Juan Ponce de León
He goes ashore on an island, or so he thinks, and names it Florida. -
Jul 10, 1534
Jacques Cartier
explores the St. Lawrence River for France. -
Jun 9, 1541
Hernando de Soto
He was a Spanish conquistador and explores the Mississippi River. -
May 4, 1565
Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine (today's northeastern Florida, about 40 miles or 65 km southeast of Jacksonville), the oldest permanent settlement in the US, is founded by the Spanish. -
Jamestown
Jamestown, Virginia, the first English permanent settlement in North America, is founded. The Virginia Company of London decides this site is the perfect location because no Indians live here. Turns out, the property was vacant for a reason. You couldn't get anything to grow on this swampy land. -
Mayflower
Pilgrims from the ship Mayflower set up a settlement at Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, near Cape Cod. -
Act Concerning Religion
The Act Concerning Religion passed by the General Assembly, aka Maryland's legislature, is the first law of religious toleration in the English colonies. -
Sieur de La Salle
French explorer Sieur de La Salle investigates the lower Mississippi valley and claims the entire region for France. He calls it Louisiana. -
Georgia,
The 13th and last of the English colonies in America, is founded. -
French and Indian War
In the upper Ohio River valley colonial rivalry between France and England came to a head. It was the only time Washington ever surrendered in battle. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War. The French leave, the British take over. See also the Seven Years' War. -
Quartering Act and the Stap Act
The Quartering Act and the Stamp Act anger Americans. Nine colonies are represented at the Stamp Act Congress. -
Boston Massacre
British troops fire on a crowd, killing five people in the so-called Boston Massacre. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, the first action in a chain leading to war with Britain, takes place. -
Intolerable Acts
First Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia and protests the five Intolerable Acts, also called the Coercive Acts. Meanwhile, Britain closes down Boston harbor and deploys troops in Massachusetts. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill
The battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill occur. George Washington on the roll. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is adopted by Congress. Thomas Jefferson is pleased and the colonies declare independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is adopted by Congress. Thomas Jefferson is pleased and the colonies declare independence. -
George Rogers Clark
General George Rogers Clark leads a victorious expedition into the Northwest Territory. -
George Washington
George Washington accepts the surrender of Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown VA after the defeat of the British at the Battle of Yorktown. The Articles of Confederation become the government of the US. -
The bald eagle
The bald eagle becomes officially the national emblem of the United States, so declare the founding fathers at the Second Continental Congress. -
Peace of Paris
The 1783 Peace of Paris formally ends the Revolutionary War. Britain accepts the loss of the colonies. -
Shays's Rebellion
Shays's Rebellion in Massachusetts shows weaknesses of the Confederation government. -
US Constitution
The US Constitution is ratified by the necessary nine states to ensure adoption. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution and guarantees individual freedom.
