Early American Writing

  • Sep 6, 1492

    Christopher Columbus

    The journals of Christopher Columbus educate us about his four voyages beginning in 1492.
  • Publishing of Thomas Harriot's writings

    In 1588, Thomas Harriot's writings of A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia. It described the area's natural resources, the ways of life of the Native Americans, and the way to build a successful colony.
  • Jamestown

    Jamestown, the first permanent colony, was established in the New World in 1607.
  • Plymouth Plantation

    William Bradford's works of his description of his journey across the Atlantic Ocean and the pilgrims' settlement of Plymouth Plantation are shared.
  • First book issued in North American colonies

    The first book issued in the North American colonies was the Bay Psalm Book. In this book the Bible's Psalms were rewritten to fit the rhythm of familiar Puritan hymns.
  • Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party occurs. This is a rebellion against Britian for unreasonable taxing of items in the New World.
  • Johnathon Edwards

    Johnathon Edwards gives a now famous sermon called 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'. This is a major leading event to The Great Awakening.
  • French and Indian War

    The French and Indian war began in 1759. The french allied with a number of Native American groups to help force the British out of North America. Great Britian won the war and claimed all of North America east of the Mississipi River.
  • Pamphlets

    As the New World's government grew, political writings became more popular. Between 1736 and 1783, about two thousand pamhlets were published.
  • Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife, Abigail

    In 1774 Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, publishes her writings in a work called Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife, Abigail.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Adoption of Declaration of Independence.
  • Phillis Wheatley

    George Washington speaks with Phyllis Wheatley after reading a poem and letter from her.
  • U.S Constitution

    The United States Constitution was signed on September 17th, 1787 by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the Constitutional Convention in Philedelphia.
  • Birth of United States

    The Constitution of the United States was approved in 1788 and the United States was born.
  • First work of North American woman to be published

    Anne Broadstreet's book of poems The Tent Muse Lately Sprung Up in America was published in 1650. She was the first North American woman writer to have her work published.