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English founded Jamestown, Virginia
The settlement was located within the territory of a political entity known as Tsenacommacah, the state of the Powhatan Confederacy, with around 14,000 native inhabitants, and specifically was in part of the subdivision known as the Paspahegh tribe. -
French founded Quebec
It is the only Canadian province that has a predominantly French-speaking population, and the only to have French as its sole provincial official language. Quebec is Canada's largest province by area and its second-largest administrative division; only the territory of Nunavut is larger. -
Dutch bring slaves to Jamestown.
The Dutch brought the first shiploads of slaves to America in 1619. The slaves were first used to do the work for caucsian men and women. -
First Puritans
The first Puritans settle in Massachusetts. They were English protestants and belonged to English Calvinists. -
Harvard
On this day the University of Harvard was founded. Harvard is renowned for its excellence in achademics and is the nations oldest university. -
First colonial printing press.
The very first colonial printing press is set up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. -
English Civil War Begins
English Civil War erupts between the Royalists of King Charles I and the Parliamentary army, eventually resulting in defeat for the Royalists and the downfall of the monarchy. On January 30, 1649, Kings Charles I is beheaded. England then becomes a Commonwealth and Protectorate ruled by Oliver Cromwell. -
King Phillips War
King Philip's War erupts in New England between colonists and Native Americans as a result of tensions over colonist's expansionist activities. The bloody war raged up and down the Connecticut River valley in Massachusetts and in the Plymouth and Rhode Island colonies, eventually resulting in 600 English colonials being killed and 3,000 Native Americans, including women and children on both sides. -
Pennsylvania founded.
Pennsylvania is founded as William Penn, a Quaker, receives a Royal charter with a large land grant from King Charles II. -
Slave trade is lost. Trade for profit begins.
The Royal African Trade Company loses its slave trade monopoly, spurring colonists in New England to engage in slave trading for profit. In April, the Navigation Act of 1696 is passed by the English Parliament requiring colonial trade to be done exclusively via English built ships. The Act also expands the powers of colonial custom commissioners, including rights of forcible entry, and requires the posting of bonds on certain goods.
