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Founding of Jamestown
The expedition was chartered by King James I in 1606 in hopes to set up a successful English settlement in the New World. The explorers, led by Christopher Newport, traveled the coast for two weeks before arriving at what would become known as Virginia. They found a nice location along the river and settled there, beginning the Jamestown Colony. -
King James II Dies
After losing a battle in Ireland, King James II went into exile in France. This was after he went abroad in rage after being deserted by his army. He dies in exile in France in September of 1701. -
First Water Powered Cotton Mill Opens in England
In Royton, Lancashire, England in 1764, the first English water powered cotton mill opens. The industrial technology was invented earlier that year by James Hargreaves. This way of carding cotton was a pivotal part in the industrial revolution. -
John Quincy Adams is Born
John Quincy Adams was born on July 11, 1767 to future president John Adams and his wife Abigail. He came to be in the Massachusetts town of Braintree. His father was already an established patriot and colonial leader. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the American revolutionary war was fought when British troops moved in on Concord in attempt to break up a stash of colonial weaponry. The legendary "night ride" led by Paul Revere and his fellow horsemen alerted the colonial militia to prepare for confrontation with the Redcoats. Fighting broke out in Lexington and the British, to their surprise, were rather overwhelmed. They were forced to retreat. -
The Declaration of Independence is Drafted
In Philadelphia in June of 1776, five of the founding fathers began writing the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson receives the most credit for the documents' creation, but John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were also wholesome contributors. This date is now considered the birthdate of America. -
John Quincy Adams Becomes Secretary to His Father in Paris
In the fall of 1783, John Quincy travels to Paris to assist his father in negotiating peace with the English. While there, John Quincy took some time to attend various schools there. As a result, he be came fluent in several languages including German and French. -
Treaty of Paris is Signed
Talks towards this process of peace began in April of 1782, and the drafting of the document began that November. The representatives from both the United States and Great Britain were sent to Paris to make final agreements and sign the treaty. The Continental Congress ratified the treaty at the turn of the new year and it became effective in May of 1784. -
First Settlement In Australia
In the early months of 1788, the British reached the coast of Australia and began to set up what would become the first Australian settlement. The voyage consisted of 1,530 people. They settled just a little farther north of where they landed and that settlement would become modern day Sydney. -
George Washington Becomes First U.S. President
George Washington was unanimously elected to be the first president of the United States of America. His outstanding leadership during the Revolution was found to be promising for the new independent nation. He was inaugurated at Federal Hall in New York City, the then capital. -
John Quincy Adams Becomes a Lawyer
In 1791, John Quincy passed the bar and began to practice law in Boston. This came after a two year tenure at Harvard, from which he graduated in 1787. He was only 23 when he began practice. -
John Quincy Adams Marries Louisa Johnson
On June 26, 1797, John Quincy married Louisa Johnson. Born in England to an upper class English family, she would become the first foreign born First Lady. Current First Lady Melania Trump is the first foreign born First Lady since Mrs. Adams. She wanted to marry early on in their relationship, but John Quincy "insisted he would not consider marriage until he was financially secure," (Ugner 101) for Louisa was used to luxuries. -
Abraham Lincoln is Born
Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky to two poor Virginians. Lincoln would grow up to become the 16th president of the United States, widely considered the greatest. He would serve alongside John Quincy Adams in Congress towards the end of Adams' life. Lincoln himself would have his life cut short at the hands of assassin John Wilkes Booth in 1865, 17 years after the death of Adams. -
War of 1812 Begins
The second war between the United States and Great Britain. It originated with America refusing to take sides in the Napoleonic Wars against France. An American ship was raided by the British, and America decided to attack Canada, which, at the time, was controlled by Britain. This is also the same war that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the "Star Spangled Banner" in 1814. -
Napoleon Bonaparte Surrenders to Allied Forces
In March of 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte's fall as leader and emperor of France began was when he was defeated by allied forces. The British stormed over French controlled areas while Napoleon was distracted by Russia. He went into exile for about a year before returning to leadership in France. -
John Quincy Adams Becomes Secretary of State
Appointed by President James Monroe, John Quincy would serve eight years as Secretary of State, from 1817 to 1825. During his time in office, his biggest achievement would probably be his involvement in the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was an attempt to control further European colonization in the west. It was put into effect in 1823. -
The Discovery of Antarctica
A Russian by the name of Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen claims to be the first explorer to actually see the Antarctic land. This leads to a slew of explorers wanting to explore the Antarctic peninsula. These expeditions were proceeded by Captain James Cook's expeditions across the Antarctic waters. -
John Quincy Adams Elected President
"President James Monroe believed John Quincy was the most qualified candidate for presidency." (Ugner 229) John Quincy Adams was elected to the presidency on March 4, 1825 and would only serve one term. He decided to take his oath with his hand on a law book rather than a Bible. He was a rather mediocre president, and swiftly returned to his comfortable seat in congress after his time was up. He was followed by Andrew Jackson as president. -
John Quincy Adams Returns to Congress
In 1830, John Quincy would win back his seat in Congress. During this time he fought against slavery and defeated the gag-rule. He is often more highly regarded as a congressman than a president. He would hold a position till the day he died, when he suffered a stroke in the Capitol building. -
John Quincy Adams Passes Away
"John Quincy Adams sounded firm, unmistakeable 'No!' It was his last word to the Congress he cherished." (Ugner 308) He collapsed right then and there. He went into a coma for two days before dying. His last words were, "This is the end of earth, but I am composed." He was 80 years old and died in the Capital Building surrounded by his family at 7:20 p.m. -
South Carolina Secedes
The election of Abraham Lincoln upset the leaders of the southern states, due to the known fact of his opposition to slavery. In effect, South Carolina decided to lead a movement and secede from the United States. In the coming months, the rest of the states would follow. They would elect Jefferson Davis of Mississippi to lead the Confederacy.
