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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers America
In 1492 Christopher Columbus landed in America thinking he was in the West Indies. He was searching for a new faster trade route to India but mistakingly landed in America. This is significant because it establishes land that will later become colonized into early America. -
Mayflower Compact
In Plymouth Bay pilgrim leaders wrote what is considered to be the first governing document named the Mayflower Compact. This social contract in which the settlers stated their purpose of coming to the New World and stated that they would follow the rules of the goverment. This document is important because it was the first step in helping create a self-governed nation. -
English Bill of Rights
In 1689 the English Bill of Rights was signed into law by KIng William III. English parliment had proposed the document to free the English colonist from the abusive power of England. The document established that King James was no longer in control and it also protected ancient rights and liberities of the people. This document is significant because it marked a step in the becoming of a nation of citizens with rights because it removed the power of King James to protect its citizens. -
The First Continenital Congress
On September 5, 1774 the Continential Congress met because they were not happy with the Intolerable Acts and the taxes. The though of breaking away from England was discused by a few members. They also created the Continental Association and frobade the use and importation of British goods. This is significant because it was were America first thought of breaking away from England and they boycotted British goods as an act of rebellion to show that they were not in agreement. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
On April 19, 1775 the battles of Lexington and Concord tiggered the start of the American Revolution. The tension bewteen the British and the American colonies grew, causing a battle between the two. This is and important event because it showed that the colonies wanted independence and that they were going to be persistent until they gained it. -
The Second Continential Congress
On May 10, 1775 the Continential Congress met for the second time. This was when they decided to break away from British power. The congress wrote the Declaration of Independence in this meeting. It was a significant date because it was when America decided to become an independent nation. -
The Declaration of Independence
On July 4th, 1776 the Continential Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, which declared the independence of the 13 colonies from Britain. The document stated that all men are created equal and have unalienable rihgts to life, liberaty, and the persuit of happiness.The importance of the document is that it is the most significant and revolutionary step in the process of making America. -
Articles of Confederation
On March 1, 1781 The Articles of Confederation was ratified. The Articles were written during the Revolutionary War by the continential congress. This document gave states most of the power and permitted the goverment to make war, offer treaties and create new states. Eventhough the result was a weak goverment the Articles of Confederation were a framework for the American national goverment which makes this a significant event. -
Treaty of Paris
On September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Revolutionary War and reconizing the United States as an independent nation. This document defined borders, retured slaves, and removed British troops from American soil. The importance of this is that it established the independence of the nation and ended hostilities between Britain and America. -
Shay's Rebellion
On August 26, 1786 Daniel Shay led a group of farmers in a rebellion to prevent the courts from taking their land. This rebellion was caused by the fact that farmers were heavily taxed which casused them to be in debt. To repay the dept the goverment wanted to take their land, but farmers took matters into their own hands and rebelled against the goverment. This is significant because it served as a catalyst for writing the constitution since it proved that America needed a stronger government. -
U.S. Constitution is Signed
