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450
5th Century- The Beginning
The Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes invade Britain in the 5th century AD. Old English was developed. It was spoken until the 1100's. -
500
Collapse of Roman Empire
With the collapse of the empire, Romans withdrew from Britain. The conquest of the Celtic population in Britain by speakers of West Germanic dialects eventually determined many essential characteristics of the English language -
700
First Old English Manuscripts
The approximate date of the first manuscripts of Old English. -
700
Ethelbert, the King of Kent is Baptized
The first English King to convert to Christianity. -
900
English and Danes Mix Peacefully
English and Danes mix fairly peacefully, and many Scandinavian or Old Norse loanwords enter the language, including such words as sister, wish, skin, and die. -
1000
Beowulf's Manuscript
Beowulf's only surviving manuscript, composed by an anonymous author.The oldest surviving piece of European literature, translated into roughly 65 different languages. Originally written in Old English, many translators struggle to keep the original flow and depth of the poem through translations. -
1066
Norman Invasion
The Norman Invasion contributed to the rich growth of the English language, and sparked the beginning of the Middle English period. Performed by William, the Duke of Normandy. -
1337
Hundred's Year War
Once England and France are at war, education is put on the backburner. The Hundred Years War between England and France leads to the loss of almost all of England's French possessions. No one continues to learn. -
1348
The Black Death
The Black Death kills 1/3 of England's population. Education in England is not taken seriously during this time period, so proper English is put on the backburner once again. -
1362
Statue of Pleading
The Act stipulated that "all Pleas which shall be pleaded in [any] Courts whatsoever, before any of his Justices whatsoever, or in his other Places, or before any of His other Ministers whatsoever, or in the Courts and Places of any other Lords whatsoever within the Realm, shall be pleaded, shewed, defended, answered, debated, and judged in the English language, and that they be entered and inrolled in Latin". This acted in making English one of the main languages spoken. -
1392
Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer composes The Canterbury Tales in Middle English. -
1399
King Henry IV's Speech
At his coronation, King Henry IV becomes the first English monarch to deliver a speech in English. -
1440
Printing Press
William Caxton brings the first printing press and publishes The Canterbury Tales. Literacy rates increase and printers begin to standardize English spelling. -
1492
Discovery of America
Christopher Columbus discovers America. -
The Bible is Published
The Authorized Version of the English Bible (the King James Bible) is published, greatly influencing the development of written language. Also, standardizing written English as it is printed. -
Shakespeare's First Folio
Considered one of the most influential books in the English language, it's printed in folio format and contains 36 plays. -
First Copywrite
Named after Anne, Queen of Great Britain, this was the first copyright in the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the first full-fledged copyright statute in the world. It was enacted in the regnal year 1709 to 1710, and entered into force on April 10, 1710 -
The American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence is signed, leading to the creation of the United States of America. Officially the first country outside the British Isles with English as its principle language. -
Invention of the Telegraph
The telegraph is invented by Samuel Morse, a major influence on the growth and spread of English due to it's ability to spread information quickly. -
Invention of the Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone, making private communication easier for common people. -
Twitter
Twitter is created by Jack Dorsey, used to produce small posts and further extends the abilities of man to make English literature.
