-
Sep 3, 1488
Días rounds southernmost tip of Africa
Still searching for a water route to Asia, the Portugese pushes Bartholomeu Días down the Agrican coast around the southernmost tip of the continent. -
Aug 31, 1492
New World Discovered
Christopher Columbus finds new land close to the Americas. -
Aug 31, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
Spain and Portugal make a treaty that divide the Atlantic Ocean between them. -
Jul 31, 1498
Cabot explores the Americas
John Cabot from England explores the northeastern coast of North America. -
Aug 31, 1498
Vasco De Gama reaches India
Vasco De Gama from Spain reaches his journey to India. -
Aug 31, 1513
Balboa claims land
Vacso Nunez Balboa claims all land and waters that touch the Pacific Ocean for Spain. -
Mar 31, 1521
Cortes conquers Mexico
With orders from Spain, Hernan Cortes explored North America. While exploring North America, he runs into Native Americans, builds and army, and conquers Mexico. -
Dec 31, 1521
Ponce de Leon explores Florida
Juan Ponce de Leon explores Florida, which he thought was an island, searching for gold or "the fountain of youth." -
Aug 31, 1522
Magellan's vessel completes world travel
Since Magellan died during his voyage around the world, his vessel completed the circumnavigation around the world on a boat. -
Aug 31, 1524
Verrazano explores North America
On France's powers, Verrazano traveled to the Americas to explore the easter seasoard of North america. -
Aug 31, 1532
Pizarro crushes Incas
Franciso Pizzaro from Spain was exploring the Americas when he ran into the Incas in Central America. After discovering them, he soon found a way to bring them down with diseases, and warfare. -
Aug 31, 1534
Cartier explores St. Lawrence River
Jacques Cartier from France explores over hundreds of miles of the St. Lawrence River. -
Sep 2, 1539
De Soto explores southeast
Hernando de Soto explored the Southeast Americas and discovered the Mississippi River. He also went on to search for gold with 600 other soldiers. -
Sep 2, 1540
Coronado explores present-day southwest
Francisco Coronado went on a search for the golden cities and instead wandered past adobe pueblos in Arizona and New Mexico. He also explored sights such as the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. -
Sep 3, 1542
Cabrillo explores California coast
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo had exploredthe California coast in North America for Spain, but failed to find anything interesting such as the San Francisco bay. -
Sep 3, 1565
Spanish build fortress at St. Augustine
After the Spanish had explored the east coast of North America and built the fortress, St. Augustine (Fl.) would be the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the future U.S. -
Battle of Acoma
Led by Don Juan de Oñate, the Spanish were very cruel to any village they encountered. During the battle of Acoma, the Spanish cut off the feet any surivors from the village. -
Spain flourishes
Since thier arrival in the new world, the Spanish had found tons of silver. All of the precious metal had increased consumercosts by 500 percent in the mid-16th century. -
Spain claims new land
The Spanish soldiers claimed the land of New Mexico to be part of Spain in 1609. A year later, they named the capital as Santa Fe. In the new land, settlers found some gold and spread Christian religion. -
First Navigation Laws
Passed in 1650, the English government passed laws requiring that all trade to go to or from the American Colonies must first go through England. -
Popé's Rebellion in New Mexico
Many natives began to suppress many Spanish religions such as Roman Catholic. The pueblos began to rebel against Roman Catholic missions by destroying churches and killing priests. -
King William's War begins
Since Spain had given France per mission to ship and trade in the Carribean, the English were not happy that they were never allowed, so they allied against France. -
Colonies are governed
The Board of trustees in England assume governance of the colonies. -
Peace treaty of Britian and France
After King William's and queen Anne's war between France and Britian, Britian was awarded Acadia, Newfoundland, and the Hudson Bay. -
French found New Orleans
French explorer Robert DeLasalle explores the Mississippi River and finds a new city of New orleans in Louisiana. -
King George's War begins
Also known as the War of Jenkin's Ear, there were disputes over smuggling items over trade, which fueded England with France. -
Treaty of King Geoge's War
New England had beaten the French, but the English had handed Loisburg back to the French. This angered the New Englanders; which meant they were ready to fight again. -
Washington Battles French
After killing Jumonville at Jumonville, Washington led the American colonists and English across the frontier to battle the French. -
Albany Plan
The British government summoned an intercolonial congress to Albany, NY. They had to travel near the Iroqouis Indian country, which meant only 7 of the 13 colonies showed up. -
Braddock's Defeat
Trying to take Ft. Duquense, Gen. James Braddock was halted by French soilders and forced to surrender. -
Pitt emerges as government leader
William Pitt decided to attack the French West Indies , which were causing heavy casualties. They decided instead to attack the Canadian owned Quebec-Montreal area. -
Battle of Quebec
The French and the American colonies battle over the now-Canadian land of Quebec. William Pitt leads the Brit troops to a win for Quebec. -
Proclamation of 1763
Flatly prohibited settlement beyond the areas beyond the Apps. It was designed to oppress the colonists. It also worked to prevent Pontiac's uprising. -
French and Indian War ends
the French and Indian War (7 Years War) ends. The battle of the French and New Englanders end war in the colonies. -
Sugar Act
Following all of the Navigation laws in the Americas, Britian had now passed a law that any sugar or spices would be taxed in America. -
Quartering Act
This act from Britian required certain colonies to provide homes, shelter, and food for any British troops. -
Stamp Act
Britian had imposed a tax on any stamp used for mailing; as well as any paper item being mailed or bought. -
Stamp Act Congress
This meeting brought together 27 delegates from 9 colonies in New York City to try to repeal the Stamp Act. -
Declaratory Acts
Parliament passes this act after failure on Stamp Act. It asserted the British government's power to have absolute sovereignty over the North American colonies. It also brought Britsh troops to the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
A crowd of about 60 people began taunting and throwing snowballs at a squad of 10 British soilders. Possibly acting without orders, one Britsh soilder then all opened fired and killed or wounded 11 citizens. None of the soilders were found guilty after trial. -
Boston Tea Party
Roughly 100 Bostonians who were part of the Sons of Liberty loosely disguised themselves as Indians. They boarded docked ships in Boston Harber and poured 342 chests of Tea into the Harbor; angry at the Tea Act. -
Antislavery society founded
Philadephia Quakers find the world's first antislavery society, founded in Pennsylvania as a haven for slaves. -
New Jersey Constitution
The new New Jersey Constitution temporarily gives women the right to vote, the first in America. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
The newly written Articles of Confederation are adopted by the second Continental Congress. -
Massachusetts gets a Constitution
Massachusetts adopts its first Constitution drafted in the Massachsetts Convention and ratified it by a popular vote. -
Articles put into effect
The newly written Articles Confederation are ratified and put into effect. -
Society of Cincinnati formed
The government of Ohio forms the Society of Cincinnati. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was adopted by the Continental Congress in the United States on May 20, 1785. Also making unclaimed territory able to be taxed. -
Shays Rebellion
Shays Rebellion was an armed uprising in 1786 and 1787. The rebellion was named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders. -
Constitutional Covention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 began in Philadephia to revise the Articles of Confederation. -
Northwest Ordinance
The major effect of the Northwest Ordinance was the creation of the Northwest Territory. -
State Ratification
Ratification by nine states guarantees a new government under the Constitution. -
Washington elected President
The newly formed government unamimously elects George Washington President. -
French Revolution begins
The storming of the Bastille causes the beginning of the French Revolution. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 establishes a Supreme Court. -
Bank of United States created
Financial wizard Alexander Hamilton creates the first Bank of the United States. -
Excise tax passed
The tax on any goods, such as whiskey, is passed in America. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Unhappy people from Southwestern Pennsylvania rebel against the excise tax. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington announces his Farwell Address as he retire from the presidency. -
Adams becomes President
After Washington's retirement, John Adams is elected the second President of the United States. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Madison and Jefferson propose the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions; a law that allows states to nullify laws. -
Jefferson re-elected President
Thomas Jefferson was re-elected President after beating Aaron Burr in the election of 1804. -
Impeachment of Justice Chase
U.S Supreme Court justice Samuel Chase after questioning judicial review. -
Lewis and Clark expedition
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark end thier expedition to the Pacific. -
Madison re-elected
James Madison was re-elected president for his second term. -
Battle of Thames
The Battle of Thams was a decisive victory for America in the War of 1812. -
Battle of Lake Erie
The Battle of Lake Erie was a battle in the War of 1812. -
Hartford Convention
Federalists meet in New England to discuss any problems that have to do with the party. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the final battle in the War of 1812. -
Monroe elected President
James Monroe beat out James Madison for President of the US in the election of 1816. -
Jackson invades Florida
Andrew Jackson leads his troops into Florida to sieze control and spread the union. -
Treaty of 1818 with Britian
American forces form a Treaty of 1818 with Britian to stop war. -
Panic of 1819
The Panic of 1819 was the first major financial crisis in America. -
McColluch v. Maryland
McColloch v. Maryland was a landmark case in the U.S Supreme Court that imposed a tax on all non-chartered banks. -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
Dartmouth College v. Woodward case was a Supreme Court case that ruled the Contract Clause in the U.S Constitution. -
Missouri Compromise
Involving the inclusion of slave states to the union. -
Land Act of 1820
The Land Act of 1820 is a US Federal law that prohibits the purchase of public land. -
Cohens v. Virginia
This Supreme Court case ruled the states powers limited in criminal law. It also had to deal with a John Marshall case. -
Adams proposes Monroe Doctrine
Secretary of State John Adams proposes the Monroe Doctrine, made up by James Monroe. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Gibbons v. Ogden Supreme Court case ruled that inyerstate commerce power has been limited. -
Erie Canal Completed
Americans finish the Erie Canal for easy transportation, and shortcuts. -
Caroline incident
The Caroline incident ocuured when a ship wrecked and fell over the Niagara Falls in Canada. The US and Britian had began controversial affairs because of this. -
Harrison dies; Tyler assumes Presidency
William Harrison dies of pneumonia early in his Presidency and John Tyler takes over. -
Aroostook War
The Aroostook War was a war between the United States and Great Britain over the boundary between Canada and Maine. The dispute resulted in a border between Maine and the province of New Brunswick. -
Polk wins Presidency
James Polk chocks Henry Clay in winning the election of 1844 also known as the Manifest Destiny election. -
United States annexes Texas
In1845, America annexes the Republic of Texas, admitting it to the country as the 28th state. -
US and Mexico fight for Texas boundary
The United States and Mexico fight for the lower part of the Texas boundary, both vying for more land. -
Walker Tariff
This was a group of tariffs set by the US in 1845, named after Robert Walker. -
US settles Oregon dispute
The united States settles the Oregon disput with Britian after sharing it with Spain, Britian and Mexico before. -
Scott takes Mexico
Winfield Scott leads US troops to take Mexico City -
Battle of Buena Vista
The Battle of Buena Vista takes place in Mexico -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexico American War -
Taylor wins Presidency
Zachery Taylor defeats Casse and Van Buren for Presidency. -
California gold rush
Thousands of US residents move west to California during the California gold rush. -
Filmore assumes Presidency
Filmore takes over the Presidency after the death of Taylor. -
Compromise of 1850
The US files the Compromise, which includes aquiring California -
Fugitive Slave Law
The Compromise of 1850 enforces the fugitive slave law; keeping slaves fom escaping thier plantations. -
Pierce becomes President
Franklin Pierce defeats Winfield Scott to assume the Presidency. -
Gadsden Purchase
Gadsden makes the purchase with Mexico to build a railroad along the Texas-Mexico border. -
Perry travels to Japan
Commodore Matthew Perry opens relations with Japan. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act aquires both territories for the U.S. -
Pottawatomie Massacre
John Brown massacred 5 pro-slavery men along with fellow abolitionists. -
Brooks attacks Charles Sumner
U.S. diplomat Preston Brooks beats Charles Sumner with a cane after taking offense to what Sumner said about Andrew Butler -
Dred Scott decision
The Dred Scott vs. Sanford court case. The decision ruled that slaves were not American citizens. -
Lincoln assumes Presidency
Republican Abraham Lincoln wins the election of 1860. -
South Carolina secedes
South Carolina becomes the first southern state to secede from the union. -
Civil War begins
The American Civil War begins -
Fort Sumter attacked
Southern soldiers fire first at the federal Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC. -
Trent affair
The U.S. took two Confederate diplomats off of an English ship, angering the south. -
Kansas admiited into the union
After the Lecompton Compromise, the U.S. admits Kansas into the country. -
Bleeding Kansas
A series of violent events involving slavery and other issues in the territory of Kansas. -
Slavery Abolished
Slavery is abolished in the District of Columbia. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
The union army loses the 2nd Battle of Bull Run to the Confederates. -
Battle of Fredricksburg
The union army loses another battle in Fredricksburg, Virginia. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The union finally won a battle, which was the biggest victory for them; at Gettysburg, Pa -
Battle at Chancelorsville
The union army gets another big win at Chancelorsville. -
Lincoln wins re-election
Lincoln wins re-election in the Election of 1864. -
Confederate Surrender
Lee surrenders the Confederate Army at Appomattox Courthouse. -
Sherman leads troops
William Sherman led his troops through Georgia for the first time. -
Lincoln Assasinated
John Wilkes Booth assasinates Lincoln at Ford Theater, shocking the nation. -
Union party founded
This new political party was formed. -
Civil War ends
All Confederates surrender, ending the war between the North and South. -
Freedmans Bureau
Freedmans Bureau is established in the United States. -
14th Amendment
14th amendment give Blacks some rights. -
Civil Rights Bill passed
Johnson's veto is overturned. -
Klu Klux Klan
William Bedford Forrest founds the KKK to try to stop, and/or scare blacks. -
Reconstruction Act
This act created 5 military districts in the south. -
Alaska
The U.S. buys Alaska from Russia. -
Tenure Office Act
This made it illegal for a president to remove a member of cabinet without consent from the senate first. -
Impeachment
Johnson was almost impeached because he removed a member of his cabinet without the consent from the Senate first. -
15th Amendment
This amendment extended the right to vote to everyone who was over the age of 21.
