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Aug 12, 1492
Columbus Discovers the New World
Christopher Columbus's ship the SANTA MARIA landed on an island in the Bahamas which he renames San Salvador. He believed he has landed on an island to the east of India and called the people who inhabit the land Indians. While he was likely not the first European to sail to America, he is the first one to report its existence. Columbus claimed the land for Spain and later made several return voyages. -
Aug 28, 1565
St. Augustine is Established
St. Augustine, now the nation's oldest city, was the first lasting European port in the United States. Established by Spain, St. Augustine functioned as a military stronghold and base for Catholic missions in the Florida area. While it was not focused on building a colony and was not far enough north to set endure harsh winters of other colonies, St. Augustine proved that long term settlements could be created in the New World. -
Jamestown Settlement is Established
Following the English conquest over the Spanish Armada, the English had much more freedom on the water and in the New World. This allowed them to settle in Jamestown in the colony of Virginia. The conditions, especially in the winter, were surpassingly difficult which lead the death of many settlers. War was waged against the Powhatans, and the journey was in vain until the stable cultivation of tobacco. -
Tobacco Plantations Increase in Profit
Although the exact date of the rise of tobacco is unknown, prices were exploding in 1619. Tobacco caught on quickly in England and provided the colonists with a sizable source of revenue. Even in the harsh winter conditions, poor food quality, and diseases of Virginia, tobacco was enough to at least give the colonists money. However, the larger tobacco fields got, the harder they were to tend with few workers. -
Slaves are First Brought to Virginia
Once again, the date of slaves first arrival is not known, but as early as 1619, they were imported to the colonies. In Virginia, their primary occupation was working tobacco plantations. Increasing the workforce meant greater yields which led to increased profits. Slaves cost money initially, but the investment paid for itself, as slaves were treated awfully and cost little money to maintain. The number of slaves grew throughout the 17th Century, creating opportunity for new markets. -
Widespread Wheat Cultivation Begins in Colonies
Wheat cultivation is suspected to have begun near the time of Revolutionary War in America. Wheat fields require vast expanses of land to yield a significant amount at a time of harvest, so gathering the wheat took great time and effort. Slaves used heavy and difficult to operate machinery to harvest the wheat so that it could be turned into an edible product. But the process was time consuming and laborious; a new system was needed. -
McCormick Reaper is Patented
A design of both Robert McCormick and his son Cyrus, the McCormick Reaper was one of the first two known mechanical reapers in the United States. A patent was filed in the year of 1834, and the invention changed the wheat farming industry forever. Profits could be increased and time could be more well spent on the harvest of the crop. The design was revolutionary. -
London Hosts the First World's Fair
The first World's Fair opened on May 1 of 1851 in London, England. Organized by Henry Cole and Prince Albert, the fair featured exhibits from around the world. One such invention was the McCormick Reaper. Millions of people explored the work of generations of inventors from places all over the globe. The Reaper, spawned from something as ordinary as farming, could now be spread not just across America, but everywhere there was need.
