U.S. History A Timeline By Williamsburg Learner Oct 12, 1492 Columbus Discovers America Period: Oct 12, 1492 to Dec 17, 1903 U.S. History A Timeline May 14, 1607 The Settlement of Jamestown May 28, 1754 The French and Indian War Dec 16, 1773 The Boston Tea Party Apr 19, 1775 The Battle of Lexington and Concord Jul 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence Sep 28, 1781 The Battle of Yorktown May 25, 1787 The Constitutional Convention 1793 The Invention of the Cotton Gin 1798 The Alien and Sedition Acts The Naturalization act was signed June 18, 1798 The Alien Friends act was signed June 25, 1798. The Alien Enemies act was signed July 6, 1798. The Sedition act was signed July 14, 1798.