Timeline: Historical Texts

Period: 1448 to 1900

American Literature

1450

Iroquois Nation Constitution

1612

Anne Bradstreet

In March of 1812, famous poet Anne Bradstreet was born. She was the first woman to be recognized as a poet in the New World, the Americas. Her work often advocated in woman's rights and puritan beliefs.

1620

Mayflower Compact

Settlers of New Plymouth

1620

Puritan Literature

In colonial America, Puritanism was practiced. Puritans believed in living a simple life. Puritan literature focused mostly on upholding religious beliefs and scaring others by talking about their consequences for doing otherwise. Some literature from this era even mentions the way Puritan lifestyles were draining.

1642

To My Dear and Loving Husband

Anne Bradstreet

1666

The Author to her Book

Anne Bradstreet

1678

Before the Birth of One of Her Children

Anne Bradstreet

1682

A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson

Mary Rowlandson

Jul 8, 1741

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Johnathon Edwards

1757

Reason and Revolution

Benjamin Franklin

Jul 4, 1774

Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, Roger Sherman

Jul 2, 1776

Adams Family Letters

John Adams, Abigail Adams

Apr 30, 1789

Washington's Inaugural Address

George Washington

May 25, 1803

Ralph Waldo Emerson

On this day, famous American Essayist is born. Influenced by others such as Henry David Thoreau, William Wordworth and more, he wrote popular texts such as "Self Reliance" and "Nature".

1819

Rip Van Winkle

Washington Irving

1830

Transcendentalism in Literature

From 1830 to 1860 (about), Transcendentalism became a popular theme in American Literature. Transcendentalism is to view things more spiritually rather than scientifically. This movement was influenced by popular writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Dec 10, 1830

Emily Dickinson

On this day, famous American poet Emily Dickinson is born. Her poems, usually about love, death, or sentiment, are some of the most famous pieces of American literature. Originally, only 10 pieces of her work were published during her lifetime. The rest were published after her younger sister found her collection of poems, after Emily's death in 1886.

1835

Young Goodman Brown

Nathaniel Hawthorne

1838

Self-Reliance

Ralph Waldo Emerson

1850

The Lake Gun

James Fenimore Cooper

1850

Abolition Movement

In the years leading up too, and even after the civil war, many writers used literature as a way to spread their abolitionist beliefs. Written down for people to read it brought awareness to the mistreatment of slaves to all sorts of people.

Mar 20, 1852