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In present-day Arizona and New Mexico
The Franciscan order of the Catholic Church establish missions in Hopi and other tribal areas under charter from the King of Spain. -
Jamestown
first permanent English settlement in America is established by the London Company in southeast Virginia. -
Santa Fe Founded
Juan Martinez de Montoya founds the settlement of Santa Fe, the second oldest Spanish city of New Spain in North America. -
KJV Bible Published
King James version of the Bible published for the first time. -
Smallpox
Smallpox epidemic wipes out 90% of the Native Americans in the Massachusetts Bay area. -
The House of Burgesses
First representative assembly in America, meets for the first time in Virginia. The first African slaves are brought to Jamestown. -
Mayflower Compact
The Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts is established by England.
Before disembarking from their ship, the Mayflower, they sign the Mayflower Compact which marked the forming of the colony's government. -
Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving celebration is held in the autumn between the Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe, who had helped them settle and plant the colony's land. -
Harvard College
Harvard College is founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the first college to be established in North America. -
Slavery
Slavery is legalized in Connecticut and recognized in the American colonies. -
English Seize New York
English take New Amsterdam from the Dutch and rename it New York. -
New York divided
English colony of New York subdivided into twelve counties. -
Salem Witch Hunts
The Salem witch hunts, spurred by preaching, results in the arrest of one hundred and fifty people and the death of nineteen. These trials were held in Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex counties. -
Jamestown Destroyed
Jamestown is abandoned after the statehouse is burned in 1698 with the colonial government moving to Middle Plantation, renamed soon after as Williamsburg