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  First permanent European sattlement in North America - St Augustine, present-day Florida founded by the Spanish. North America is already inhabited by several distinct groups of people, who go into decline following the arrival of settlers
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  Jamestown, Virginia, founded by English settler, who begin growing tobacco
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  Plymouth Colony, near Cape Cod is founded by the Pilgram Fathers, whose example is followed by other English Puritans in New England
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  Hundres of thousands of Africans brougth over and sold into slavery to work on cotton and tobacco plantations
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  Britain gains control of territory up to the mississippi river following victory over France in Seven Years' War
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  Colonists form First Continental Congress as Britain closes down Boston harbour and deploys troops in Massachusetts
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  American Revolution: George Washington leads colonist Continental Army to fight against British rule
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  Thomas Jefferson's American Declaration of independence endorsed by Congress; colonies declare independence.
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  Rebel states form loose confederation, codified in Articles of Confederation, after defeating the British at the Battle of Yorktown
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  Britain accept loss
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  George Washinton elected first president of USA
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  Republican Abraham Lincoln elected, against slavery
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  The slaves are free
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  World war 2 starts