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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
With this document, a new structure of government is created that limits a king's power. Our modern day U.S. Constitution is based upon it. -
Jamestown Settled
A British attempt of early North American colonization, settled in Virginia. It evetually prospered. -
Mayflower Compact Written
A constitution formed by and for the Plymouth Colonists. It is sometimes considered one of the foundations of todays U.S. Constitution. -
Petition of Right
A petition sent to the English king by parliment that refused funding. A significant act, establishing the idea of what we know today as check and balances. -
English Bill of Rights
A bill set by English Parliament that determined certain rights for its people. This is an important event dealing with peoples' natural rights. This inspired our Bill of Rights. -
Albany Plan of Union
A meeting of representatives from 7 states, the topic was unity. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Join or Die." -
Stamp Act
An act trying to prove Britain's grasp of the new colonies. The act was not supported by the colonists. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers kill 5 civilians in Boston. Tempers were flairing and tension was at an all time high. -
Boston Tea Party
Americans threw British tea into the Boston Harbour in rebellion against taxes. This sparked more dissent towards Great Britain. -
Intolerable Acts
Laws past by parliement that were deemed absolutely unreasonable by the colonists. These acts marked the decline of loyalty to to Britain. -
First Congressional Congress
The First Congressional Congress was a meeting of representatives from 12 of the 13 states. This meeting showed significant unity of the states. -
American Revolution Begins
The shot that was heard around the world. America begins their physical fight for freedom against Great Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
This was a meeting of representatives from every state. They discussed the Revolutionary War and determined what action was to be taken. -
Declaration of Independence
In this document, the colonies declared themselves a new and free country- the United States of America. The signers of this document were putting themselves at great risk, they were signing their lives away for freedom. -
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution ratified by the United States. Later on the Articles of Confederation proved to have imperfections and was eventually replaced by our U.S. Constitution. -
Shay's Rebellion
Rebellion of farmers that attacked court houses throughout Massechusetts. The rebellion declined to an end shortly after the death of Shay. -
Constitution Convention
This was a fourth-month-long meeting by representatives of all states. They worked on the structural government of their new nation. -
Connecticut Compromise
A plan in which Congress should execute equal representation, and representation based on population. It was a cross between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. -
Philidelphia Convention
Convention where the Constitution was formed and signed. Every state had delegates at this convention.
