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1400
Native American Folklore
Long before settlers arrived, Native Americans had their traditions of passing down folklore about the world. They would pass stories by word of mouth, meaning that no story on record or known ls likely the original version, however the story is generally the same nonetheless. -
1492
Discovery of 'The New World'
In 1492, voyages led by Christopher Columbus were attempting to make their way to India by a new route, instead stumbling upon the Americas. The voyages had no idea that they were not in India at first, prompting the term for Native Americans to become 'Indians', as Christopher Columbus described them. Although credited with the discovery, Christopher Columbus never actually landed in America, instead landing in what is not the modern day Bahamas. -
The First Colony
Jamestown, Virginia was the first colony to be founded in the new world in the year 1607. Although the Americas had been known as a new world since 1502 when Amerigo Vespucci learned that Columbus was wrong, it took 105 years for the first colony to be established. -
Establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
A prominent colony set up by puritans, Massachusetts Bay was one of the largest settlements to be started by non-separatist puritans. Puritan literature had a tendency to be bland and unimaginative, as the church frowned upon creativity and enjoyment. -
Early American Poets
In the first real century of American literature, some poets really defined the style of American literature. Anne Bradstreet, a puritan woman whose poetry reflected her views on religion and Edward Taylor, a minister who also had a different belief than most puritans, found a lighter side in literature, opting to skip the dull attitude and write about the joys of religion both had a significant impact on American literature. -
Benjamin Franklin's Publishing of 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
In 1732, Benjamin Franklin published 'Poor Richard's Almanack', which was a popular and influential book in America, making Benjamin Franklin very wealthy. The almanac was a yearly publish, spanning from 1732 to 1758, bringing about several famous quotes, one such quote being "Early to bed and Early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise". -
Beginning of the American Revolution
The American Revolution began in 1765, with the colonies revolting against Great Britain. This brought about a new age of American literature, where people began to move past the religious bias against literature other than the bible. People began reading to learn, writing mind-puzzling books and generally diversifying the types of literature found in America. -
The Decline of Puritans' Hold over America's Literature
In the Early to mid 1700s, Puritan influence was fading fast. Without the church around to frown upon expression, literature skyrocketed, bringing many new ideas like political writings. One example of political writings was a woman named Mercy Otis Warren. Warren was placed in Boston in order to follow the early American Revolution and wrote her first political drama anonymously in 1773. -
The Writing of 'The Pit and the Pendulum'
Edgar Allen Poe published 'The Pit and the Pendulum' in 1842. The Pit and The Pendulum was another work that defined the horror and mystery genres in America. -
Publishing of 'The Cask of Amontillado'
In 1846, Edgar Allen Poe, a well known American short story writer published a short story called 'The Cask of Amontillado'. Poe's works helped set in stone American literature's take on horror. -
The Scarlet Letter
A highly influential book revolving around religious themes was The Scarlet Letter. Set in Puritan times, following a woman who commit adultery and received a scarlet letter on her chest, she is deemed a sinner and shunned by the rest of the town. The book shed light on many Puritan issues, as well as many relevant social issues. -
Rapid growth of America
In the early to mid 1800s, America grew quickly. Millions arrived over a 60 year period, bringing about many new changes, for better and for worse. The country had split into the North and the South states, with a few border states in between. The North wanted to abolish slavery, while the South wanted to keep slavery, due to their income being primarily plantation-based. -
The Civil War in America
Starting in 1861, the Civil War was fought between the North and South of America. The war was primarily over slavery and related issues, and was integral in sorting out problems created by the influx of new people in the early 1800s. -
American Literature Shows Influence by Assisting in the Abolishment of Slavery
In the mid 1800s, authors in New England began publishing works revolving around slavery and the reasons it should be abolished. One such author was Harriet Beecher Stowe, who says that she does not believe the civil war would have happened the way it did had the authors not been publishing to spread awareness. -
Shifting the Views on American Literature
In the 19th century, views on America's literature began to shift. Previously, America had been a revolutionary country with their politics, however the literature was somewhat of a carbon copy of most English authors and poets. In the 19th century, however, American writers began to branch out, making their own style and giving America a much needed sense of culture. Ralph Waldo Emerson, for example, would write essays that would engage even those who had no idea what they were reading about. -
Writing of 'A Pair of Silk Stockings'
In the short story 'A Pair of Silk Stockings', a woman is pictured spending an unexpected sum of money on herself. This is reflective of the time period it was published in because the economy had been rising exponentially in the years leading up to 1923. -
American Literature Diversifies into Well Known Works of Fiction
The 1900s saw a massive increase in imaginative works of fiction. With many books such as 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', and 'Tarzan of the Apes', the early 1900s kicked off a century that truly defined American literature. -
Writing and Publishing of 'The Wizard of Oz'
Published in May of 1900, 'The Wizard of Oz' was out in the turn of the century to define fantasy and adventure genres. With a whimsical tone and several follow-up works, 'The Wizard of Oz' is still relevant over a century later. -
H.P. Lovecraft's 'Dagon'
'Dagon' was a work by H.P. Lovecraft that, in contrast to works like 'The Call of Cthulhu' and 'The Nameless City' defined more horror than it did mystery. The story revolved around the terrifying events that led a man to the brink of suicide, only for the story to abruptly end with the man being confronted by one of Lovecraft's signature horrors. -
H.P. Lovecraft's 'Call of Cthulhu' Defines Modern Mystery/Horror
In 1923, a magazine by the name of 'Weird Tales' bought Lovecraft's 'Call of Cthulhu', marking the beginning of Lovecraft's works being published. Lovecraft would then move on the define the genres of mystery and horror with works he had published previously as well as the ones he would continue to publish, such as 'The Hound', 'The Nameless City' and 'Dagon'. -
The Writing and Publishing of 'The Nameless City'
H.P. Lovecraft was, in a way, a successor to Edgar Allen Poe. Continuing on to define horror and mystery for America, Lovecraft published 'The Nameless City' in November of 1921, being more mystery than horror, yet still containing the feeling of isolation seen in most of Lovecraft's works. -
Beginning of Walt Disney's Career
Walt Disney began his career in 1923 when he signed a contract to produce a series of comedies. Walt Disney would go down in history as many things; hated, respected, feared and loved. Walt Disney was known for his unorthodox practices, but the work he put in shows undeniably in today's Walt Disney Studios. -
The Writing of 'The Great Gatsby'
'The Great Gatsby' was a defining book for the plain slice of life genre that the entire world has come to love. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1924, the book is still read and enjoyed today. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression was a very influential event on every aspect of life, and literature was no exception. During the Great Depression, some turned to writing books and songs when they could find no other work. Many of these works would come to be known as Proletarian Works, or working class works. -
MARVEL Comics #1 Released
In 1939, MARVEL released their first comic featuring many of the heroes still used today. This was the beginning of what is now a massive comics, TV show and movie making company.
