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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus
Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and discovered America. -
Jamestown
Jamestown the first permanent English settlement -
Mayflower Compact
Before leaving their ship, the Mayflower, 41 male passengers signed theMayflower Compact. It was an agreement that formed the basis of the colony's government. -
Georgia was Founded
Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe. -
Boston Massacre
British troops fire into a mob killing five men which lead to intense public protests. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonial patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians and boarded three ships at the Boston harbor and dumped more than 300 crates of tea overboard as a protest against the British tea tax. -
Lexington and Concord
first battle that began the American Revolution -
Declaration of Indepedence
Continental Congress adopts theDeclaration of Independencein Philadelphia. -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution -
Treaty of Paris
Great Britain formally acknowledges American independence in theTreaty of Paris, which officially brings the war to a close. -
Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention, made up of delegates from 12 of the original 13 colonies, meets in Philadelphia to draft theU.S. Constitution -
Louisiana Purchase
United States agrees to pay France $15 million for the Louisiana Territory, which extends west from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. -
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark set out from St. Louis, on an expedition to explore the West and find a route to the Pacific Ocean. -
War of 1812
U.S. declares war on Britain over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion. -
Missouri Compromise
In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts) is admitted as a free state so that Missouri can be admitted as a slave state; except for Missouri, slavery is prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase lands north of latitude 36°30' -
Monroe Doctrine
In his annual address to Congress, President Monroe declares that the American continents are henceforth off-limits for further colonization by European powers -
Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as seventh president.
Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as seventh president. -
Indian Removal Act
President Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which authorizes the forced removal of Native Americans living in the eastern part of the country to lands west of the Mississippi River -
Texas Independance
Texas declares its independence from Mexico -
U.S. annexes Texas
U.S. annexes Texas by joint resolution of Congress. -
US Mexican War
Mexican War: U.S. declares war on Mexico in effort to gain California and other territory in Southwest. -
Oregon Treaty
Oregon Treaty fixes U.S.-Canadian border at 49th parallel; U.S. acquires Oregon territory -
California Gold Rush
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California ; gold rush reaches its height the following year. The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) began on January 24, 1848 -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
War concludes with signing of Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb. 2, 1848). -
Women's rights convention
Women's rights convention is held at Seneca Falls, N.Y.
