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1492
Christopher Columbus Sails to the New World
Columbus's voyage led to European colonization of the Americas, fundamentally reshaping the world. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus/The-first-voyage -
1513
Juan Ponce de León explores Florida
His expedition marked the first European exploration of what is now the southeastern U.S. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Juan-Ponce-de-Leon -
1521
Hernán Cortés and his forces conquer the Aztec Empire
This event established Spanish dominance in Mexico and the Americas. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Tenochtitlan -
1539
Hernando de Soto explores the southeastern region of North America
His expedition provided valuable information about Native American societies. https://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/desoto.htm -
1565
St. Augustine, the first permanent European settlement in what is now the U.S., is founded by Spain
The first permanent European settlement in what would become the U.S. https://dos.fl.gov/florida-facts/florida-history/a-brief-history/european-exploration-and-colonization/#:~:text=Pedro%20Men%C3%A9ndez%20de%20Avil%C3%A9s%20hastened,is%20now%20the%20United%20States. -
Jamestown, the first permanent English colony, is established in Virginia
The first permanent English colony, marking the beginning of British America. https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-short-history-of-jamestown.htm -
Henry Hudson explores the river that will bear his name, leading to Dutch claims in North America
His journey led to Dutch claims in North America, including New Amsterdam (New York). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hudson#:~:text=Looking%20for%20a%20Northwest%20Passage,World%20were%20significant%20and%20lasting. -
The first Anglo-Powhatan War ends with the marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe
Their marriage temporarily eased tensions between English settlers and Native Americans. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/first-anglo-powhatan-war-1609-1614/ -
First African slaves arrive in Virginia
Marked the beginning of institutionalized slavery in British North America. https://www.hampton.gov/3580/The-1619-Landing-Report-FAQs#:~:text=In%20late%20August%2C%201619%2C%2020,traded%20in%20exchange%20for%20supplies. -
Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock and sign the Mayflower Compact
The Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock - Their settlement laid the foundation for self-governance in the colonies. https://plimoth.org/for-students/homework-help/mayflower-and-mayflower-compact -
Maryland is founded as a haven for Catholics by Lord Baltimore
Established as a refuge for Catholics facing persecution in England. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/the-founding-of-maryland -
Harvard University is founded
The first institution of higher education in the American colonies. https://www.harvard.edu/about/history/ -
The English seize New Amsterdam from the Dutch and rename it New York
Expanded British influence in North America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Amsterdam#:~:text=In%201664%2C%20the%20English%20took,later%20James%20II%20%26%20VII). -
Bacon’s Rebellion occurs in Virginia
Exposed tensions between settlers and colonial leadership over Native American policies. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/bacons-rebellion-1676-1677/#:~:text=Bacon's%20Rebellion%2C%20fought%20from%201676,began%20raiding%20the%20Virginia%20frontier. -
William Penn establishes Pennsylvania as a Quaker colony
William Penn founded Pennsylvania in 1681 as a Quaker colony promoting religious freedom and tolerance. https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/pennsylvania-founding/#:~:text=English%20Quaker%20William%20Penn%20founded,to%20expand%20his%20Quaker%20colony. -
The first newspaper in America, Public Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestic is published in Boston
Demonstrated early colonial engagement in political discourse. https://www.masshist.org/database/186#:~:text=The%20Boston%20News%2DLetter%20was%20not%2C%20however%2C%20the%20first,issue%20on%2025%20September%201690. -
Salem Witch Trials take place in Massachusetts
Showed the dangers of mass hysteria and theocratic rule. https://www.britannica.com/event/Salem-witch-trials -
The French establish Detroit as a key fur trade center
Became a key center for the fur trade in North America. https://apps.detroithistorical.org/buildingdetroit/curriculum_french.php -
New Orleans is founded by the French
Became a major port city and cultural hub in the future U.S. https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/cultures/french/#:~:text=New%20Orleans%20has%20always%20been,to%2C%20other%20New%20World%20settlements. -
Georgia, the last of the 13 colonies, is founded
The last of the original 13 colonies, created as a buffer against Spanish Florida. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/georgia-history-overview/#:~:text=Established%20in%201732%2C%20with%20settlement,Carolina's%20founding%20(in%201663). -
The Stono Rebellion, a major slave uprising, takes place in South Carolina
One of the first major slave revolts in the colonies, leading to harsher laws. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stono_Rebellion#:~:text=The%20Stono%20Rebellion%20(also%20known,to%2050%20African%20slaves%20killed. -
The first American hospital is founded in Pennsylvania
The first American hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, was founded in Philadelphia in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. https://www.uphs.upenn.edu/paharc/timeline/#:~:text=Pennsylvania%20Hospital%20%2D%2D%20the%20nation's,teaching%20and%20clinical%20research%20institution. -
French and Indian War occurs
Britain’s victory secured control of North America but led to heavy debts and colonial taxation. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/french-indian-war -
The Proclamation of 1763 restricts colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains
Limited colonial expansion westward, angering settlers and escalating tensions with Britain. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/proclamation-line-of-1763#:~:text=K5%20The%20Proclamation%20Line%20of,the%20French%20and%20Indian%20War. -
The Stamp Act is passed, sparking colonial protest
Sparked widespread colonial protest against British taxation. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-seeds-of-revolution-stamp-act-protests-in-boston#:~:text=On%20March%2022%2C%201765%2C%20British,colonies%20was%20immediate%20and%20intense. -
The British station troops in Boston, escalating tensions with colonists
Heightened tensions that would contribute to the Revolution. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/adams-boston-massacre/#:~:text=By%20October%201768%20Boston%20was,quarter%20of%20the%20city's%20population.&text=Hostility%20toward%20the%20soldiers%20escalated,taking%20jobs%20from%20Boston's%20workers. -
The Boston Massacre occurs
British soldiers kill five colonists, fueling anti-British sentiment. https://revolutionaryspaces.org/explore/exhibits/reflecting-attucks/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ6spj6maZ-p62OoDuDaRGJ0t5WSMMlQIB9-H9JgVvlOEzOYslRs7-4aAniEEALw_wcB -
Boston Tea Party protests British taxation
A direct protest against British taxation, leading to punitive laws. https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/boston-tea-party-cause -
The First Continental Congress meets in response to the Coercive Acts
Organized colonial resistance to British policies. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/road-to-revolution/the-american-revolution/a/the-intolerable-acts-and-the-first-continental-congress -
The American Revolution begins at Lexington and Concord
Marked the start of the American Revolution. https://spiritof76livinghistoryassociation.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ6zw49yVME7EXfEBxtIPNqSzddbES6w8cdddn838IMcWTaMUIzHWI0aAhiyEALw_wcB -
Declaration of Independence is signed
Officially declared the American colonies’ break from Britain. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence#:~:text=The%20Continental%20Congress%20adopted%20the,1776%2C%20delegates%20began%20signing%20it. -
The Battle of Saratoga marks a turning point in the American Revolution
A major American victory that secured French military support. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/saratoga#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Saratoga%20was,needed%20to%20win%20the%20war. -
The British surrender at Yorktown, ending major fighting in the Revolution
Effectively ended the American Revolution. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown#:~:text=The%20siege%20of%20Yorktown%20was,an%20end%20to%20the%20conflict. -
The Treaty of Paris officially ends the American Revolutionary War
Officially recognized American independence. https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/ar/14313.htm#:~:text=The%20Treaty%20of%20Paris%20was,War%20of%20the%20American%20Revolution. -
The U.S. Constitution is drafted
Created the framework for the American government. https://www.acslaw.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ4OEB7brSf1BINmQB8jk7P_OQX87r3Q-jUvpEHe3lio9IUhgyv9tKcaAsYcEALw_wcB -
George Washington is inaugurated as the first U.S. president
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The Cotton Gin is invented by Eli Whitney, revolutionizing the Southern economy
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin revolutionized the Southern economy by making cotton processing faster and more profitable. https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/cotton-gin-and-eli-whitney -
The Bill of Rights is ratified
Established fundamental liberties for American citizens. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript#:~:text=Amendments%2011%2D27-,The%20U.S.%20Bill%20of%20Rights,the%20%22Bill%20of%20Rights.%22 -
The U.S. capital is moved to Washington, D.C.
Strengthened the federal government’s presence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.#:~:text=The%20Residence%20Act%2C%20adopted%20on,the%20capital%20moved%20from%20Philadelphia. -
The 12th Amendment is ratified, changing the presidential election process
Refined the electoral process for selecting presidents. https://archive.fairvote.org/essex/index.php?page=981&mode=showallbig&offset=135&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ5-mZeVwr_tkKS0xDpDKx1BIBTP895smPdOD67jTwrwVnWOukyC61UaAskCEALw_wcB -
The Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the U.S.
Allowed westward expansion and economic growth. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/loupurch.html#:~:text=Thirteen%20states%20were%20carved%20from,preserved%20at%20the%20National%20Archives. -
The Battle of Tippecanoe is fought between U.S. forces and Native American resistance
Weakened Native American resistance to U.S. expansion. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/tippecanoe -
War of 1812 is fought between the U.S. and Britain
Confirmed U.S. sovereignty against Britain and inspired national pride. https://princetonhistory.org/collections/overview/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ6jaMNVb5bIGQPFn9oOYSWeBxYhsKoxjdVTEpKi4vH4ZCd26J__TFYaArHCEALw_wcB -
The Missouri Compromise is enacted
Temporarily eased tensions over slavery’s expansion. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/missouri-compromise -
The "Corrupt Bargain" election occurs, with John Quincy Adams becoming president over Andrew Jackson
Led to political tensions between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. https://millercenter.org/contested-presidential-elections/corrupt-bargain -
The Monroe Doctrine is announced
Asserted U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/monroe-doctrine#:~:text=The%20Monroe%20Doctrine%20is%20the,further%20colonization%20or%20puppet%20monarchs. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion, a slave revolt, takes place in Virginia
One of the most significant slave revolts, increasing fear and repression. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/turners-revolt-nat-1831/ -
The Indian Removal Act is signed into law
Forced Native Americans from their lands, leading to the Trail of Tears. https://guides.loc.gov/indian-removal-act -
The Trail of Tears forces the relocation of Cherokee and other Native American tribes
Forced removal of Native Americans resulted in thousands of deaths. https://www.oregonhumanities.org/rll/beyond-the-margins/indian-enough/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ66jTIdE9YVmm6VQrHzk1zY3ODD4jZQysIL2BjoNXifpsO0KSV8A3AaApedEALw_wcB -
The Battle of the Alamo occurs
Became a symbol of Texan resistance against Mexico. https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battle-and-revolution -
The telegraph is invented by Samuel Morse, revolutionizing communication
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Texas is annexed by the U.S.
Sparked tensions leading to the Mexican-American War. https://www.thealamo.org/remember/military-occupation/independence-and-annexation#:~:text=On%20December%2027%2C%201845%2C%20U.S.,28th%20state%20of%20the%20Union. -
The Mexican-American War takes place
Gained vast western territories for the U.S. https://www.nps.gov/places/the-mexican-american-war.htm -
The Seneca Falls Convention is held for women’s rights
Was the first women's rights convention in the U.S., advocating for gender equality and suffrage. https://www.usaforunfpa.org/unfpas-work/ending-violence-against-women/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ6DwNnuqmMp6688nlUaNziJzJvstTZHIiEbFBOIsQKg0khoajLCAnYaAlh4EALw_wcB -
The Compromise of 1850 is passed
Temporarily resolved sectional conflicts over slavery. https://guides.loc.gov/compromise-1850#:~:text=The%20Compromise%20of%201850%20consists,states%20in%20the%20U.S.%20Senate. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is published
Increased Northern opposition to slavery. https://www.vassar.edu/specialcollections/exhibit-highlights/2001-2005/stowe/essay2.html#:~:text=Begun%20as%20a%20serial%20in,Tom's%20Cabin%20was%20officially%20published. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act is passed
Led to violent conflict over slavery in the territories. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Kansas_Nebraska_Act.htm#:~:text=It%20became%20law%20on%20May,territories%20to%20sway%20the%20vote. -
The caning of Charles Sumner occurs in the U.S. Senate over slavery tensions
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The Dred Scott decision is issued
Ruled that Black Americans had no citizenship rights. https://www.britannica.com/event/Dred-Scott-decision -
South Carolina secedes from the Union, the first state to do so
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union, setting the stage for the Civil War. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/south-carolina-secession.htm#:~:text=South%20Carolina%20became%20the%20first,disunion%20across%20the%20slaveholding%20South. -
John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry
Intensified sectional tensions before the Civil War. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/topics/john-browns-harpers-ferry-raid -
Abraham Lincoln is elected President
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The Civil War begins with the attack on Fort Sumter
Marked the start of the deadliest conflict in U.S. history. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Civil_War_Begins.htm#:~:text=At%204%3A30%20a.m.%20on,beginning%20of%20the%20Civil%20War. -
The Emancipation Proclamation is issued
Declared freedom for slaves in Confederate states. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/emancipation-proclamation#:~:text=President%20Abraham%20Lincoln%20issued%20the,and%20henceforward%20shall%20be%20free.%22 -
The Battle of Gettysburg takes place
A major turning point in the Civil War. https://www.gettysburgpa.gov/history/slideshows/battle-history#:~:text=T%20he%20Battle%20of%20Gettysburg,Gen. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea devastates the South during the Civil War
Devastated the South, as Union troops burned crops, destroyed infrastructure, and crippled the Confederacy’s war effort. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/shermans-march-sea -
The Ku Klux Klan is founded, beginning a campaign of racial terror in the South
Began a campaign of racial terror in the South. https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/ku-klux-klan -
The U.S. purchases Alaska from Russia, known as "Seward’s Folly."
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The Civil War ends; Lincoln is assassinated
Shifted the course of Reconstruction. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/abraham-lincoln-assassination -
The 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery
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The 14th Amendment is ratified
Guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law. https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/14th-amendment.htm#:~:text=Passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20on,laws%2C%E2%80%9D%20extending%20the%20provisions%20of -
The 15th Amendment is ratified, granting Black men the right to vote
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The Great Chicago Fire destroys much of the city
Destroyed much of the city but led to rebuilding efforts. https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/the-great-chicago-fire-of-1871 -
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 is passed, aiming to guarantee equal access to public accommodations
Attempted to enforce equal access to public places. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/CivilRightsAct1875.htm -
The Compromise of 1877 ends Reconstruction
Federal troops leave the South, ending protections for Black Americans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise_of_1877#:~:text=The%20subsequent%20withdrawal%20of%20the,South%20Carolina%2C%20Florida%20and%20Louisiana.