English what map

The Germanic Family of Languages

By Daniel Briggs
  • Earliest known Old English inscriptions
    450

    Earliest known Old English inscriptions

    450-480 Earliest known Old English inscriptions.
    Old English
  • Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English
    Jan 1, 1150

    Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English

    Middle English
  • English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools
    Jan 1, 1348

    English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools

    Middle English
  • The Great Vowel Shift begins
    Jan 1, 1400

    The Great Vowel Shift begins

    Middle English
  • William Caxton establishes the first English printing press
    Jan 1, 1476

    William Caxton establishes the first English printing press

    Early Modern English
  • The first permanent English settlement

    The first permanent English settlement

    The first permanent English settlement in the New World (Jamestown) is established
  • Samuel Johnson publishes his English dictionary

    Samuel Johnson publishes his English dictionary

  • The American Declaration of Independence

    The American Declaration of Independence

    Thomas Jefferson writes the American Declaration of Independence
  • Webster publishes his American English dictionary

    Webster publishes his American English dictionary

  • The Oxford English Dictionary is published

    The Oxford English Dictionary is published

  • Settlement of Britain by Germanic invaders begins

    Settlement of Britain by Germanic invaders begins

    Local inhabitants speak Celtish