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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta signed
'Magna Carta' is Latin and is translated to "Great Charter". It was a series of written promises between the king and his subjects that he, the king, would govern England and deal with its people according to the traditions of feudal law. Magna Carta was an attempt by the barons to stop a king abusing his power with the people of England suffering. -
Jamestown, VA founded
America's first permanent English colony. The colony was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors who hoped to profit from it. -
Virginia House of Burgesses established
The first legislative assembly in the American colonies. They held their first meeting in the choir at Jamestown Church in the summer of 1619. -
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Bacon's Rebellion
A wide range of public policy issues in Virginia like the state budget, taxes, infrastructure, land use, transportation, energy, the environment, and community health was addressed through a rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon. But he was unsuccessful. -
English Bill of Rights
An Act that the Parliament of England passed on December 16, 1689. The Bill makes separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic election, and supports freedom of speech. -
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Enlightenment Period
A time period when everyone started using logic and reasoning to see past the beliefs of science, religion, and government. -
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French and Indian War
A war fought between Britain and France over North American territory. In the end, Britain won. -
Proclamation of 1763
The proclamation closed off the frontier to colonial expansion after the French and Indian War. The King and his council said the purpose of the proclamation was to calm the fears of the Indians, who felt that the colonists would drive them from their lands as they expanded westward. -
Boston Massacre
A street fight between a "patriotic" mob and British soldiers. The mob was throwing snowballs, sticks, and rocks at the soldiers, so the soldiers opened fire on the crowd killing 5 people. This incident caused more hatred and tension between the colonies and Great Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
To protest against unfair taxation, Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty snuck onto three ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
It was Britain's response to the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Harbor was closed to trade until the owners of the tea were compensated. Only food and firewood were allowed into the port. Town meetings were banned, and the authority of the royal governor was increased. -
1st Continental Congress
Acted as the government of the 13 colonies. Met in response to the Intolerable Acts so they could figure out what to do next. -
Battle at Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the Revolutionary War. British soldiers were sent by King George to attack the colonists. But the colonists were warned about this plan and became prepared for the fight. The colonists won in the end. -
2nd Continental Congress
Met in reponse to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Planned their next moves in the war against Great Britain. -
Publication of "Common Sense"
A book written by Thomas Paine challenged the British government and openly expressed ideas of independence from Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
Mainly written by Thomas Jefferson. This document officially announced America's independence from Britain. -
Battle at Guilford Courthouse
The pivotal point in the American victory for the Revolutionary War. Battle led by General Nathaniel Greene and took place in present-day Greensboro, NC -
British surrender at Yorktown
British General Charles Cornwallis surrender his troops to George Washington, finally winning independence from Britain. -
Treaty of Paris signed
Ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence. The treaty was negotiated by the US and Great Britain.
