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Jamestown
Three ships land in Jamestown and create the first permanent English settlement in the New World -
John Rolfe and Pocahontas
The marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas brings peace between Jamestown and the Native Americans for 8 years. John Rolfe also brings tobacco to Jamestown, revolutionizing the success of the colony. -
Smallpox Epidemic
By the end of 1619 Smallpox wipes out 90% of all native people in the Massachusets Bay area. -
House of Burgesses
The first representative assembly is called in Jamestown. The Dutch also bring slaves to Jamestown this year. -
Pilgrims
The Pilgrims settled on Plymouth Rock and soon after creating The Mayflower Compact establishing government and legal structure. -
The First Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving celebration is held in the autumn for three days between the Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe. -
The Indian Massacre of 1622
The Indian Massacre of 1622 happened when Chief Opchanacanough and the Powhatan Confederacy tried to get rid of the settlers. Three hundred people were killed. -
Purchase of Manhattan
Peter Minuit, a Dutch explorer left for the Albany buys Manhattan Island from the Man-a-hat-a Indians for $24 in trinkets. -
Maryland
Maryland is founded as a Catholic colony promoting religious freedom. The colony named for Queen Henrietta Maria. -
Pequot War
The Pequot War began between the Pequot tribe and Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies. The war ended 2 years later leaving only 200 or the Pequot tribe alive. -
Rhode Island
Roger Williams founds the colony of Rhode Island two years after his banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
The Constitution of the General Assembly of Rhode Island
This document establishes the separation of church and state, as well as permitting public referendums and initiatives in legislation. -
Legalization of Slavery
Slavery is legalized in Connecticut and recognized in the American colonies. -
Peach Tree War
Peach Tree War begins with an attack on New Amsterdam and Pavonia along the Hudson River by Susquehannock Indians. Indian victory forced many Dutch settlers back to Fort Amsterdam. -
The Navigation Act
The Navigation act is passed by the British Parliament to control colonial commerce in the New World. -
Carolina
Eight Englishmen are given the charter to establish the Colony of Carolina by Charles II. -
British Seizure of New Netherlands
Three hundred British troops seize New Netherlands from the Dutch The Duke of York is granted New Amsterdam, renaming them New York. -
King Philis War
Beginning of King Philip's War in New England with Metacom. Indian forces attacked colonial settlements due to encroachment on the land. Considered the costliest war for European Settlements. Twelve towns destroyed. -
Bacons Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown. Nathanial Bacon leads the rebellion of planters against Governor Berkeley. Bacon would perish and twenty-three others were executed. -
Pueblo Rebellion
Pueblo people attach the colony of Santa Fe, killing four hundred. It would take twelve years before the Spanish attempted to recolonize. -
French claim midwestern lands.
France claims the lower Mississippi River valley, Louisiana, when Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle explore the region. -
Pennsylvania
The colony of Pennsylvania is established when William Penn signs a treaty with the Delaware Indians and pays for Pennsylvania lands. -
The Plymoth Colony
The Plymouth colony, which had remained independent since its founding in 1620, joins the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
End of Jamestown
Jamestown is abandoned after the statehouse is burned in 1698 with the colonial government moving to Middle Plantation, renamed soon after as Williamsburg.
