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Roanoke Island
Two attempts to establish a colony on Roanoke Island are organized by Sir Walter Raleigh. The second disappears without a trace. -
Colonist can own land
The Spanish Armada (Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, literally "Great and Most Fortunate Navy") was a Spanish fleet of 130 ships that sailed from A Coruña in August 1588, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia with the purpose of escorting an army from Flanders to invade England. -
Jamestown
In 1607, 104 English men and boys arrived in North America to start a settlement. On May 13 they picked Jamestown, Virginia for their settlement, which was named after their King, James I. The settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America. -
Virginia Company sends women
Ninety young women are transported to Virginia to make wives for former tenants; the Virginia Company prices them at "one hundredth and fiftie [pounds] of the best leafe Tobacco" -
House of Burgesses meets
It became the House of Burgesses — the first legislative assembly in the American colonies. The first assembly met on July 30, 1619, in the church at Jamestown. Present were Governor Yeardley, Council, and 22 burgesses representing 11 plantations (or settlements) Burgesses were elected representatives. -
Seaflower is blown up
March 18: In Bermuda, the Seaflower is blown up due to the negligence of the Captain's son. Captain William Tucker -
King James declares Royal Colony
Virginia becomes a royal colony with the governor and council appointed by King James I. -
1636
Roger Williams establishes Providence, Rhode Island and proclaims complete religious freedom
Harvard College founded in Massachusetts -
Dutch Bring Africans