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Oct 12, 1492
Landing of Christopher Columbus in America
Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailing for Spain, seeks a western sea route to Asia. When he lands, he believes he is in outer India. However, Columbus actually is located on an island in the Bahamas.
Christopher Columbus Reaches The New World -
May 10, 1534
Jacques Cartier's Exploration for France
Jacques Cartier reaches Newfoundland and sails up the St. Lawrence River. This is the origin of the French claims to Canada and North America. The French affectively achieve some form of understanding with the Native Americans, which proves important for future American history. -
Sep 8, 1565
Founding of St. Augustine
The Spanish establish the first permanent European colony in North America at St. Augustine. Today, St. Augustine still exists and is located on the Eastern coast of Florida. It is the longest, continuously settled city in North America. -
Establishment of the Roanoke Colony
Sir Walter Raleigh organizes the colony at Roanoke Island, Virginia. The colony lasts for only one year because settlers must escape angry Indians. Raleigh attempts to establish a second Roanoke; however, this attempt fails as well, ending with the disappearance of the colonists. -
Establishment of the Jamestown Colony
King James I of England issues a charter to the London Company to start a colony north of the Roanoke area. Captain John Smith leads the expedition. The first year ends in disaster. However, new leadership and the discovery of tobacco helps the colony to recover.
Jamestown Colonization -
Arrival of the Mayflower
The Mayflower ship lands at Cape Cod, Massachusetts with 102 colonists. Almost half of these passengers are Protestant Separatists, or Pilgrims, as we call them. The Pilgrims hope to establish a new church in America. The Mayflower Compact is signed on November 11, 1620.
The Pilgrims and The Mayflower -
First Dutch Settlers Set Sail for America
In 1624, Dutch Colonists, sponsored by the Dutch West Indies Company, arrive in an area known as New Netherlands. The Dutch begin to settle in an area they call, "New Amsterdam." In later years, the English take over control, changing New Netherlands to New York and New Amsterdam to New York City.
Early History of New Netherlands -
Founding of Pennsylvania
King Charles I of England grants William Penn a charter to start a colony for religious radicals. Penn, a Quaker, establishes Pennsylvania as a refuge for other Quakers, but opens the settlement to "all believers in God." -
Salem Witch Trials
In January of 1692, mysterious misfortunes occur in Salem, Massachusetts. People start accusing the "odd" people of witchcraft based on "spectral evidence." The governor of Massachusetts sets up a special court and twenty people are executed.
Chronology of the Salem Witch Trials -
The Beginning of The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening religious revival movement begins with Jonathan Edwards, a Congregational clergyman. He preached a series of sermons in Northampton, Massachusetts. Over the next ten years, the revival, led by Edwards and George Whitefield, will sweep over all of the American colonies.
