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Britain's East India Company
Britain's East India Company is established when Elizabeth I grants a charter to a 'Company of Merchants trading into the East Indies' -
Period: to
1600-1700
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Shakespeare's Central Character
Shakespeare's central character in Hamlet expresses both the ideals of the Renaissance and the disillusion of a less confident age -
The Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company is founded, with a tax-free monopoly of the eastern trade for twenty-one years -
Geneva Wins Independence
Geneva wins independence from the duchy of Savoy, in the treaty of St Julien, after repelling a midnight assault on the city -
British King Jame I Attack on Smoking Tobacco
The British king James I launches a blistering attack on the smoking of tobacco, which he considers a loathsome custom -
Jahangir Succeeds
On the death of Akbar, his son Jahangir succeeds to the Mughal throne -
First Permanent English Colony
Jamestown, Virginia, established—first permanent English colony on the American mainland. -
Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain establishes the French colony of Quebec. The Relation, the first newspaper, debuts in Germany. -
Flintlock Design
A flintlock designed in France (possibly by Marin Le Bourgeoys) becomes the standard firing mechanism for musket -
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses, the first representative assembly in America, meets for the first time in Virginia. The first African slaves are brought to Jamestown. -
The Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts
The Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts is established by Pilgrims from England. -
First Thanksgiving Celebration
The first Thanksgiving celebration is held in the autumn for three days between the Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe, who had helped them settle and plant the colony's land. -
First Vessels of Winthrop
The first vessels of Winthrop's eleven ship fleet, eventually totaling seven hundred aboard, leaves England for the Puritan colony already established in Salem, establishing the foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Pequot War
Pequot War begins between the Pequot tribe and their alliance against Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies. War ended on September 21, 1638, with the Treaty of Hartford. Only two hundred Pequot tribe members remained. -
Legalize Slavery
The Massachusetts colony becomes the first colony to legalize slavery. -
Rhode Island Restricts Slavery
Rhode Island passes the first law in the American colonies restricting slavery, making it illegal for more than ten years. -
Peach Tree War
Peach Tree War begins with attack on New Amsterdam and Pavonia along Hudson (North) River by Susquehannock Indians and their allies as retaliation for the loss of New Sweden to the Dutch. Indian victory forced many Dutch settlers back to Fort Amsterdam. -
Navigation Act
The Navigation Act is passed by the British Parliament to control colonial commerce in the New World. -
British Troops Seize New Netherlands
Three hundred British troops seize New Netherlands from the Dutch in a peaceful takeover. The Duke of York, brother to Charles II, is granted the Dutch province and city of New Amsterdam, renaming them New York. -
Dutch Forces Recapture
Dutch forces recapture the colony of New York (New Amsterdam) from the British, but would only be able to hold power in the area for one year. -
King Philip's War
Beginning of King Philip's War in New England with Metacom Indian forces attacking colonial settlements due to encroachment on the land. -
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown. Nathanial Bacon leads the rebellion of planters against Governor Berkeley. Bacon would perish and twenty-three others were executed. -
Pueblo Rebellion of indigenous Pueblo
Pueblo Rebellion of indigenous Pueblo people against the Spanish colony of Santa Fe kills four hundred and forces the remaining two thousand from their land. It would take twelve years before the Spanish attempted to recolonize. -
The Colony of Pennsylvania is Established
The colony of Pennsylvania is established when William Penn signs a treaty with the Delaware Indians and pays for Pennsylvania lands. -
The Plymouth colony Joins Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Plymouth colony, which had remained independent since its founding in 1620, joins the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Jamestown is Abandoned
Jamestown is abandoned after the statehouse is burned in 1698 with the colonial government moving to Middle Plantation, renamed soon after as Williamsburg. -
The Cascadia Earthquake
The Cascadia earthquake, located off the coast of the Pacific Northwest along with the Juan de Fuca plate, occurs.
