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Slavery Begins in Colonies
Twenty African people are taken and sold in Jamestown by an Enlish warship. These Africans were from any Portuguese or Spanish ships they encountered. -
Mayflower lands
Towards the beginning of a cold winter the mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There was 101 people who came on the small ship -
Mayflower Compact
On November 11, the Mayflower Compact is signed, establishing a government at Plymouth. -
First School
Boston Latin public school was established. This school was the first public school of its time. -
Rhode Island Founded
Roger Williams founded Rhode Island as a colony. He wanted to make it a place to escape religous intolerance -
New Hampshire founded
Puritan settlers founded New Hampshire. English businessman saw potential for wealth in the areas abundant fishing, natural harbours, lumber, and furs. -
Massachusetts requires public education
Massachusetts passes a law, requiring all sizable towns to have some form of public education. -
Rhode Island Creates Law
Rhode Island creates the first colonial law. They made slavery illegal -
Maryland makes Slavery Lifelong
Maryland makes it so slavery is legally lifelong mandatory. Similar laws are eventually passed in New York, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. -
King William's war begins
King William’s war begins, as French and English hostilities extend to the colonies. Schenectady, New York is burnt to the ground by the French and their Native American allies. -
Navigation Act of 1696
The Navigation Act of 1696 is passed making all colonial trade having to be done with English-built ships. -
Roman Catholic Priests told to leave
Massachusetts orders all Roman Catholic priests to leave the colony within three months. If they refuse they will suffer the penalty of life imprisonment or execution. New York later passes a similar law. -
Delaware separates from Pennsylvania
Delaware, originally called New Sweden, separates from Pennsylvania to form its own government. -
Boston News-Letter is published
The Boston News-Letter is published for the first time. This was the first newsletter in America. -
Massachusetts makes marriage between blacks and whites illegal
Anti-miscegenation laws were put into effect in Massachusetts. This prevented blacks from marrying whites in the state. These laws spread throughout the colonies. -
Ben Franklin founds library
Ben Franklin founds a library in Philadelphia. This is the first public library founded in the Colonies. -
Georgia is founded
Georgia, the 13th English colony, is founded by James Oglethorpe. It is founded to act as a haven for those in debtors' prisons. -
First colonial copper coins are minted
The first colonial copper coins are minted. These coins were minted in the colony of Connecticut. -
50 Black slaves are hung
Fifty black slaves are hung in Charleston, South Carolina. They are hung because their plans to revolt are revealed. -
Currency Act is put into effect
The Currency Act is put in effect. This bans the use of paper money in the New England Colonies.