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Columbus was sent by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to explore the New World. Columbus landed on a tiny island in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492 which he named San Salvador and claimed for the king and queen of Spain. This marked both the beginning of Europe's discovery of America and the start of the Colombian Exchange.
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King Phillip II of Spain attempted and failed to invade England with his Spanish Armada of 130 ships in 1588. The Spanish wanted to invade England and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I. Their purpose in trying to invade England was to end English interference in the New World and to rid England of Protestantism.
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Jamestown, Virginia became the first permanent English colony and one of the first places settled by the English after their failed colony in Roanoke.
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In late August of 1619, the first slaves arrived in Jamestown aboard a Dutch ship. The twenty or so slaves were sold and traded for supplies. These were the first slaves sold in the English colonies of the New World.
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In the late 1700's, the Industrial Revolution began in England. It marked the transition to new manufacturing practices and changes in social and economic organization.The Industrial Revolution led to mass production, factories, advances in the iron and textile industries, and improved ways of banking, transportation, and communication. It also changed the quality of life for many. The Industrial Revolution lasted during the 18th and 19th centuries in both Europe and America.
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On December 24, 1801, Richard Trevithick invented the first steam-powered locomotive. This led to the railway becoming a new way to transport goods and people. In 1804, Trevithick improved upon his invention and created the first-ever steam locomotive to run along a track.
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From May 1, 1851 to October 11, 1851, London hosted the world's first world fair inside the Crystal Palace. It was also known as the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations and drew in a crowd of six million people. The Great Exhibition was created by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. This fair influenced the world and started a tradition of world's fairs.
