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Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas with his three ships the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. This was the beginning of a new world.
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The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed. This was an agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided the land of the new-world between the two of them.
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Hernan Cortes conquers the mighty Aztec Empire. They did this by laying seige to the empire and were helped by epidemics among the Native Americans.
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Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi River while exploring the southeast. De Soto was the first European to ever document seeing the river.
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Francis Drake completed his circumnavigation of the world on this day. He returned to England with many riches of gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones.
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The English settlement known as Jamestown was founded. They suffered much hardships and were unable to successfully form a permanent comunity.
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John Rolfe perfected the tobacco plant for his colony. This was a major break through for Virginia, as it gave the colonists a way to make money. Tobacco was very popular in England, and it soon became the staple crop of Virginia.
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John Rolfe married Pocahontas and ended the First Anglo-Powhatan War. This gives a few short years of peace, followed by the Second Anglo-Powhatan War, in which Rolfe is killed.
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The House of Burgesses has its first meeting. The Virginia Company created this to try and attract more settlers to make the journey to the Americas.
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The Pilgrims, who set sail for the new world, sighted land. They came for religious freedom, and settled in the domain of the Virginia Company without legal permission.
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Charles I becomes the king of England. He prosecuted Puritan. He also dismissed Parliament for a number of years. He was eventually executed.
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The Pequot War began, and lasted for 4 years. It resulted in hundreds of Pequot Indians being killed, and even more sold into slavery.
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Nathaniel Bacon led an uprising known as Bacon's Rebellion. On this date, they chased Virginia's governor William Berkeley out of Jamestown and burned the city.
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A mob formed in Boston, Massachusetts and arrested the governor along with other dominion officials. This raised prospects in New York, and led to a cascade of events that shook the state. The uprise in New York became known as Leisler's Rebellion.
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The Act of Toleration was signed. This gave tolerance to people of the Protestant religion. However, it did not grant Catholics this same tolerance.
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The lynchings began in Salem, Massachusetts on this date. They were all charged with witchcraft.
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The Tuscarora War begins between the British, Dutch, and German settlers and the Tuscarora Native Americans. It lasted for four years, until a treaty was signed in 1715.
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North Carolina formally separated from South Carolina. North Carolina became known for being irreligious and hospitable to pirates.
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The Yamasee War broke out between South Carolina and many different Indian tribes inhabiting the area. The war took a big toll of South Carolina, and its future was in question. However, tides turned and the war ended in 1715 as the Native Americans withdrew.
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The colony of Georgia was founded. This was intended only to buffer the valuable Carolinas from attacks by the French and Spanish.
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John Peter Zenger was the owner of a newspaper who assailed their corrupt local governor. This caused much controversy, and when Zenger won it was a banner achievement for freedom of te press and democracy.
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A war between Pennsylvania and Maryland was ended over boundary disputes.
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French explorer Piere Gaultier de Varennes et de la Verendrye reaches the western shore of Lake Michigan.
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In 1738 George Whitefield traveled around the colonies delivering his new, passionate type of preachings. He was a leader of the Great Awakening.
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The Stono Rebellion was the largest slave rebellion prior to the American Revolution. It was in South Carolina.
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The War of Jenkin's Ear begins between Great Britain and Spain. It was mainly confined to the Caribbean Sea.
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50 slaves were hung in South Carolina after the discovery of their plans for another revolt.
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Alaska was discorvered by a Danish man, Vitus Bering.
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Benjamin Franklin invents the "Franklin Stove."
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Princeton College is founded.
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The first Lutheran Church, The Pennsylvania Ministerium, is established in Philadelphia, PA.
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The Iron Act was put into effect by Parliament, which limited the growth of the Iron Industry in the American colonies.
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The Currency Act was passed, banning the issueing of paper money in New England.
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The first hospital was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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The Liberty Bell was ordered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania.
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The French and Indian War started in New England. It was between Great Britain and France, and it lasted until 1763.
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William Pitt becomes secretary of state. He places a policy of unlimited warfare in affect, and this intensifies the French and Indian War.
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French Fort Niagra was taken by the English.
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South Carolina's anti-trade proposal for slaves is vetoed by Britain.
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France signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Seven Years War. In doing this, France signed off all their land in America east of the Mississippi River to England except for New Orleans.
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Uprising in Philadelphia.
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This raised taxes on sugar from the west indies.
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Parliament passed the Stamp Act which imposed taxes on the colonists. This angered the colonists who protested heavily.
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Parliament passed the Quartering Act. This stated that colonists must house, feed, and tend to British soldiers. This enraged the colonists.
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After much protest in America, Parliament was forced to repeal the Stamp Act.
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Acts made by Charles Townshend to tax the colonists.
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British soldiers shot and killed protesters in Boston.
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Boston rebels marched right past guards in the Boston Harbor and onto ships. The rebels threw hundreds of crates of tea into the harbor.
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Granted a monopoly on tea in America. Actually lowered the price, even with the taxes.
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This congress was brought together in America to discuss what should be done about the situation with Britain.
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Britain passed the Quebec Act. This extended the boundaries of Quebec all the way down to the Ohio Valley. This was another act that angered the colonists.
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British troops marched on and attacked Lexington, and pursued colonists to Concord. They were forced to retreat at Concord. This began the Revolutionary War.
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The first completely antislavery society was founded in Philadelphia.
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The Declaration of Independance was signed. This stated that the Americans were now their own nation and were free from England.
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Battle during the Revolutionary War in Massachusetts. The colonists suffered over 300 deaths.
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This was the first constitution that joined the 13 colonies as the United States of America.
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The Puruvian Indians revolted against Spain.
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America and France defeated Britain in this battle. This was one of the last major battles of the Revolutionary War.
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Uranus was discovered by William Harschel.
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This was the end of the Revolutionary War. It gave the Americans independance from Britain.
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George Washington was unanimously elected as the 1st President of the United States.
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The Bill of Rights was passed, which included the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. These amendments guaranteed American citizen liberties and rights.
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George Washington decided to move the capital to the District of Columbia, or Washington DC. He also chose a location to erect a building in which every President of the United States would live.
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The US army, led by General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, defeated the Miami Confederacy. It was a major defeat to the Native Americans.
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Spain and the U.S. signed this treaty establishing the southern border of the U.S. and giving Americans rights to send goods down the Mississippi.
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John Adams was elected as second President of the United States.
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President Adams issued the Alien and Sedition Acts. This raised the naturalization process from 5 years to 14 years and made it illegal to critisize the government.
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President Jefferson sends the marines to Tripoli after they're ruler cut down the American flag at the consolate building, challenging the U.S. because we would no longer pay bribes for protection from their pirates.
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President John Adams nominated 16 members of his own Federalist party new lifelong District judge positions He did this right before he left office to ensure that Federalists would stay in office.
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Thomas Jefferson is elected third President of the United States.
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Marbury sued James Madison because he did not recieve his commission as one of the midnight judges from President Jefferson.
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Napolean Bonaparte sold the entire Louisiana Territory for only $15 million. This was because he feared losing this territory after devoting an extraordinary amount of his troops and money to put down a rebellion in South America
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President Jefferson chose Louis and Clark to begin an expedition to explore the land east of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana Purchase. This expedition resulted in much valuable information needed to begin settling in the west.
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Aaron Burr is tried for treason against the U.S. However, he is acquitted because he never actually did a treasonous action. Following this, Burr flees to France.
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President Washington issued the Embargo Act which stopped all foreign trade.
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The Non Intercourse Act replaced the Embargo Act. This new act stated that the U.S. would resume trade with foreign nations, but would not trade with Britain or France until they lifted their laws that all trade must first go through them.
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Monumental court case tat resulted in the Sumpreme Court recvieving power to invalidate state laws that are deemed as unconstitutional.
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The United States declared War on Britain.
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The War of 1812 began which pitted the U.S. against Britain for a second fight for independance. The war would end by the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium, with neither side gaining or losing anything.
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26 delegates from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont discussed their greivances and seeked redress for their wrongs.
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American Colonization Society is formed. They focused on importing freed blacks back to Africa.
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The US peacefully divided the lands of the Oregon territory between themselves and Britain.
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Spain gave Florida to the US.
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This made Missoui a slave state and added Maine to the Union as a free state. This equaled out the slave state and free state representatives in the House of Representatives.
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Led a slave rebellion in Charleston, SC.
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The American government established a territory in Africa called Liberia. This is where the American Colonization Society would take the free blacks. Its capitol was Monrovia.
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The American Temperance Society was formed to try to get people to redeuce their use of alcohol.
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Publishes Appeal to Colored Citizens of the World, which called for freedom and proposed military action to achieve it.
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Andrew Jackson issued the Indian Removal Act. This forced indians to abandon their native lands and walk thousands of miles to reservations through the Trail of Tears.
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Garrison begins publishing The Liberator. This was a radical, abolition book, Garrison called for the North to secede.
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Leads a slave rebellion in Virginia.
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British abolished slavery in the West-Indies. This made the North push even harder for abolition in the South.
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The American Anti-Slavery Society was founded. They pushed for abolition of slavery in the South.
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The US government forced post offices to destroy all abolitionist material that came into their office.
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The Gag Resolution was passed by the House of Representatives. This tabled all petitions for the abolition of slavery without them even being discussed.
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Aboloitionist paper owner Elijah Lovejoy's house is broken into and he is killed (Alton, Illinois)
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The battle of the Alamo occured. It was a battle between Mexico and Texas rebels for independance.
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The first form of photography is invented, called the daguerreotyple.
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The Liberty Party is organized. This party wanted the abolition of slavery and was supported by great abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass.
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John Tyler assumes the role as President of the United States after Harrison dies.
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James Buchanan became President of the United States.
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Monumental Supreme Court decision that ruled that a slave did not have the right to sue for his freedom and that Congress did not have the power to outlaw slavery.
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John Brown captures Harper's Ferry armory. This was a failed slave rebellion. John Brown was executed for this.
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Lincoln is elected President. The South was furious and seceded because of this.
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The South secedes from the Union and creates their own separate government, known as the Confederate States of Amercia.
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This was the first major battle of the Civil War. The South won and became overconfident.
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The first shots of the Civil War were fired. This began the Civil War.
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Ambrose Burnside replaced George McClellan as Union general. Burnside went to battle completely unprepared and the Union lost.
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Lincoln issued this to free all slaves in the Confederacy This did not free the slaves in the border states. This was not passed by Congress and could not be enforced.
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Robert E. Lee attacked Maryland. The Union found his battle plans but could not win. The battle was a draw, but the Union made it sound like they won. This stopped Britain and France from wanting to help the south.
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This battle between two ships plated with steel made wooden ships obselete. The battle was a draw.
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David Farragut, a naval commander, led the Union in this battle. The Union won, and gained control of the Mississippi River.
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Union General George McClellan made an attempt to capture the South's capitol of Richmond, but he took too long to prepare and the South was able to defend themselves.
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Robert E. Lee attacked Maryland. The Union found his battle plans but could not win. The battle was a draw, but the Union made it sound like they won. This stopped Britain and France from wanting to help the south.
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Battle in Pennsylvania where the Union successfully defended against the Confederacy. This was a monumental victory for the Union.
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Novel published about a man who was found guilty of his participation in the Aaron Burr conspiracy.
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Lincoln wins presidency over McClellan.
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Plan that would recquire 50% of southern voters to pledge allegiance to the US before southern states would be admitted back into the Union. Lincoln pocket vetoed this.
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Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendurs at Appotomax Courthouse
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John Wilkes Boothe assassinates Lincoln shortly after the end of the Civil War.