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Franciscan members establish missions
Under a charter from the King of Spain, members of the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church construct missions in Hopi and other tribal regions in modern-day Arizona and New Mexico. -
Attempt to colonize New England
With the foundation of the Cuttyhunk Colony, Bartholomew Gosnold aims to settle New England for Great Britain. -
Establishment of James Town
Three ships arrive in Jamestown, creating the first English colony in North America. There are 103 settlers in total. Captain John Smith is appointed to the ruling council upon his arrival. -
Establishment of Santa Fe
Juan Martinez de Montoya establishes Santa Fe, the second oldest Spanish town in North America. -
King James version of Bible published
King James version of the Bible published for the first time. -
Period: to
Smallpox epidemic
The smallpox pandemic kills 90% of the Native Americans in the Massachusetts Bay region. -
Plymouth settlement
The Puritans arrive at Plymouth and begin to settle. They construct the Mayflower Compact, which creates a governance and legal framework. Half of the colonists would perish the next winter. The settlement site had previously been the location of an Indian town that had been wiped out by a disease in 1617. -
Thanksgiving created
The very first Thanksgiving is conducted in the fall between the Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe, who assisted them in settling and planting the colony's territory. -
Maryland Toleration Act
Maryland passes the Maryland Toleration Act, allowing freedom of religion. -
Navigation Acts
The first in a series of Navigation Acts is passed by the English Parliament, prohibiting the use of anything other than English ships in commerce with its colonies. -
King Philip's war in New England
King Philip's War begins in New England, with Metacom Indian soldiers assaulting colonial towns owing to land infringement. Considered the most expensive war in terms of people for European settlements, with Indian victory during the first year interrupted later when their coalitions broke apart. Twelve settlements were destroyed. -
The Indian War
The Indian War, often known as King Philip's War, between the Confederation of New England tribes and New England colonists comes to a conclusion. -
Bacon's Rebellion
The burning of Jamestown is caused by Bacon's Rebellion. Nathanial Bacon leads the planter insurrection against Governor Berkeley. Bacon would be executed, along with twenty-three others. -
Boston Revolt
The Boston uprising against Dominion of New England governor Sir William Andros results in his dismissal. -
Plan for intercolonial coorperation
William Penn, the head of the Pennsylvania colony, devises a scheme for intercolonial cooperation, the first colonial proposal for uniting colonies into a single nation, which influences the formulation of the Constitution. -
Jamestown Abondoned
After the statehouse is burnt in 1698, the colonial administration relocates to Middle Plantation, which is shortly renamed Williamsburg.