1600-1800 Early American Writing

1607

May 1, 1607

The first permanent colony was established at Jamestown in 1607

1619

Sep 10, 1619

The first enslaved Africans arrive in North America at Jamestown.

1635

Mar 5, 1635

North America's first public school is founded in Boston.

1676

Feb 21, 1676

The Puritans' victory in King Phillip's War ends Native American resistance in New England colonies.

1682

Sep 10, 1682

William Penn founds the colony of Pennsylvania.

1688

Sep 17, 1688

Quakers voice opposition to slavery.

1692

Dec 13, 1692

Salem witch trials show atmosphere of mass hysteria.

1704

Apr 6, 1704

The Boston Newsletter, the first American newspaper, is established.

1722

May 18, 1722

Benjamin Franklin uses humor to criticize the Puritan establishment in his first published work, The Dogood Papers.

1744

Feb 10, 1744

The sis nations of the Iroquois Confederation cede Ohio Valley territory north of the Ohio River to Britain.

1752

Sep 27, 1752

Calcutta's population reaches 120,000.

1773

Oct 8, 1773

The Boston Tea Party marks a violent rejection of Britain's taxation policies. The Revolutionary War begins two years later.

1774

Nov 19, 1774

Abigail Adams writes first entry in what is published as Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife, Abigail.

1776

Jul 4, 1776

Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence.

1781

Nov 14, 1781

British defeat at Yorktown ends the American Revolution

1787

Mar 25, 1787

U.S. Constitution is approved.

1789

May 15, 1789

Storming of the Bastille incites the French Revolution.

1789

Oct 9, 1789

Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative of... Olaudah Equiano details harsh treatment of captive Africans.