History of the English Language

  • 400

    The Beginning of the Old English

    The Beginning of the Old English
    On January 1st, 400 the beginning of Old English was born.
  • Period: 400 to

    History of the English Language

  • Jan 1, 750

    Beowulf

    Beowulf
    The exact date of when Beowulf was written is unknown. It is suspected to be somewhere between 700-100
  • Jan 1, 1066

    Norman Invasion

    Norman Invasion
    The English languages were greatly influenced by the Norman Conquest. The Norman's that invaded spoke in a French Dialect that they called Old Norman.
  • Jan 1, 1100

    Beginning of Middle English/End of Old English

    Beginning of Middle English/End of Old English
    An example of Old English from Shakespeare: "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? Deny thy father, and refuse thy name" An example of Middle Language from Psalm 23:5- "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
  • Jan 1, 1387

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
    Chaucer began writing the Canterbury Tales in 1387, but he did not funish them until 1400.
  • Jan 1, 1440

    Printing Press

    Printing Press
    Johannes Gutenberg invented the Printing Press to help stabalize the English Language.
  • Oct 12, 1492

    The Discovery of America

    The Discovery of America
    Christopher Columbus discovered America, though many people argue the fact that someone else could have made the discovery before him.
  • Jan 1, 1497

    The Discovery of North America

    The Discovery of North America
    North America was discovered by John Cabot
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Start of Modern English/End of Middle English

    Start of Modern English/End of Middle English
    Quote from Shakespeare in early Modern English: "Why then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open."
  • The English Dictionary was Created

    The English Dictionary was Created
    Like the Printing Press, The Creation of the English Dictionary was used to help stabalize the English Language.
  • Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

    Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio
    Published in 1623, this collection was made up of 36 plays.
  • Industrial Revolution

    Industrial Revolution
    New Machinery was invented and made to so there was no other choice than to create new words to name them and explain how they worked.
  • American Revolution

    American Revolution
  • Independence was Declared

    Independence was Declared
    A second Continental Congress met on July 4, 1776 and declared Independence.
  • The Constitution was Adopted

    The Constitution was Adopted
    The supreme law of the United States.
  • Ohio Becomes a State

    Ohio Becomes a State
    On March 1, 1803 Ohio became the 17th U.S. State
  • Britain and France Treaty broke

    Britain and France Treaty broke
    Britain and France go to war once again caused by thier treaty being broken down.
  • Congress Decares War against Britain

    Congress Decares War against Britain
    Congress Declares War against Britain on June 18, 1812.
  • Rioting Erupts

    Rioting Erupts
    Rioting erupts in verious cities, mostly in Bristol on October 31, 1831
  • Mexico and United States War ends

    Mexico and United States War ends
    The war between Mexico and the U.S. ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo.The U.S. won recognition of its possession of Alto California, New Mexico and Texas to the Rio Grande. Mexico is given a guarantee of rights for the people who had been living in these areas and loyal to Mexico.
  • Factory Act

    Factory Act
    The Factory Act 1891 made the requirements for fencing machinery more stringent.
  • Queen Victoria's Death

    Queen Victoria's Death
    Queen Victoria died and Edward VII is crowned King.
  • Military Revolt/King Manuel Abdictated

    Military Revolt/King Manuel Abdictated
    In Portugal, a military revolt came soon after the abdication of King Manuel. Portugal became a republic on October 5, 1910.
  • Britain releases Congress Party Members from Prison

    Britain releases Congress Party Members from Prison
    In India, Britain releases Gandhi, Jawahrial Nehru and other Congress Party members from prison.
  • U.S. come out of Depression

    U.S. come out of Depression
    Spending is lifting the United States out of the depression. Millions or people are going to work inin the defense industry.
  • Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Message

    Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Message
    On December 25, 1960 Queen Elizabeth II starts recording her Christmas Messages. She appeals for increased mutual understanding amonth the people of the Commonwealth.
  • Indonesia invades East Timor

    Indonesia invades East Timor
    Indonesia claims rule over East Timor and Invades.
  • President Reagan

    President Reagan
    On December 29, 1981 President Reagan curtails Soviet trade in reprisal for the creation of martial law in Poland.
  • 9/11

    9/11
    Terrorist attack the twin towers in New York. Almost 3,000 people were killed.
  • World Population Calculation

    World Population Calculation
    On February 26, 2006 the world population is calculated at 6.5 billion.
  • China's 8 billion dollar oil refinery

    China's 8 billion dollar oil refinery
    on July 6, 2010 China has plans to buld an 8 billion dollar oil refinery in Nigeria and to cover 80% of the contruction cost.
  • The Germanic Invasion

    The Germanic Invasion
    The history of the English language really started with the arrival of three Germanic tribes who invaded Britain during the 5th century AD. These tribes, the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes, crossed the North Sea from what today is Denmark and northern Germany. At that time the inhabitants of Britain spoke a Celtic language. But most of the Celtic speakers were pushed west and north by the invaders - mainly into what is now Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The Angles came from Englaland.