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1400
Age of exploration begins
a period in European history, during which seafaring Europeans explored, colonized, and conquered regions across the globe. -
1492
The first Italians reached the Americas
Most of this generation of Italian immigrants took their first steps on U.S. soil in a place that has now become a legend, Ellis Island. -
1524
Verrazano explores the North Americas coast
Florentine Giovanni da Verrazano explored the southern and central coast of what became North Carolina while carrying out a reconnaissance of North America for the king of France. -
1565
Spain claims modern day Florida
Spain's effective claim to Florida began with Juan Ponce de León's discovery and naming of the flowery peninsula. -
England founds Jamestown
English men and boys arrived in North America to start a settlement. On May 13 they picked Jamestown, Virginia for their settlement, which was named after their King, James I. -
The house of Burgesses forms
It was made up of 22 burgesses from various plantations and villages. King James I of England sent a charter to the colonists that allowed the creation of the Virginia General Assembly as a form of self-government so long as the Virginia Company was able to retain corporate control over the region. -
Plymouth is founded
Plymouth Colony was a 17th Century British settlement and political unit on the east coast of North America. It became part of the Dominion of New England. Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay Colony were combined -
13 Colonies were divided
The geography and climate of the thirteen colonies separated them into three different regions: New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. New England's geography was shaped by glaciers. -
Boston Tea Party occurs
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that occurred on December 16, 1773, at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists, frustrated and angry at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation,” dumped 342 chests of tea, imported by the British East India Company into the harbor. -
Lexington and Concord battle
The Battles of Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775, the famous 'shot heard 'round the world', marked the start of the American War of Independence (1775-83). Politically disastrous for the British, it persuaded many Americans to take up arms and support the cause of independence. -
American revolution begins
The American Revolution was principally caused by colonial opposition to British attempts to impose greater control over the colonies and to make them repay the crown for its defense of them during the French and Indian War -
Declaration of Independence is signed
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later to become known as Independence Hall.