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Giovanni da Verrazzano explores New York
Italian explorer, Giovanni da Verrazzano, explores what is now New York, calling it New Angouleme
Mabila (now Alabama) destroyed by Spanish soldiers
Native village of Mabila (now Alabama) destroyed by Spanish soldiers led by Hernando de Soto
The Bible is translated into English for the first time
The Geneva Bible was the first translation of the Holy Scriptures from Latin to English, allowing people to read the Scriptures for themselves.
George Weymouth explores New England
Gunpowder Plot of 1605 (England)
Also called The Jesuit Treason, a failed assassination attempt on King James I, in an attempt to end persecution against Catholics.
The Plymouth Company and London Company are granted charters to establish settlements
The Separatist Church (Puritans) breaks away from the Church of England
Colonists arrive at Jamestown and establish a settlement
British Channel Floods (Tsunami in England)
A tsunami caused great flooding throughout England, Jan. 30.
The Starving Time at Jamestown
The Starving Time at Jamestown (78% of the people starved in the winter of 1609 to 1610)
Beaver Wars between the Iroquois and French (1609-1701)
Henry Hudson sailed into New York's harbor
Anglo-Powhatan Wars begin (1610-1646 intermittently)
King James Bible translation completed and published
The King James translations of the Scriptures from Latin to English led to major reforms in Christianity.
Peace is made between the Powhatan Confederacy and the Virginia Colony
The Thirty Years War begins in Central Europe (1618-1648)
A conflict between Protestants and Catholics begins in Central Europe (1618-1648) claiming 8 million lives
House of Burgesses first meeting in Virginia Colony
The first African slaves brought to the Virginia Colony
Mayflower departs from England
The Pilgrims departed from England aboard the Mayflower on September 16 and arrived at Cape Cod 66 days.
The Mayflower arrives at Cape Cod
The Mayflower arrived at Cape Cod in November and anchored there five weeks before sailing to Plymouth on Dec 15.
The ship Fortune arrives at Plymouth
The relief ship, Fortune arrived at Plymouth Nov 9 with 35 people and no supplies.
Also called the Powhatan attack of 1622; One quarter of Virginia colonists massacred.
Dorchester Company attempts a settlement at Cape Ann
Dorchester Company founded (1624-1626) and attempted a short-lived settlement at Cape Ann (Mass.) in 1623-1624
Dutch West India Company founds New Netherland (New York and New Jersey)
Virginia becomes a crown colony after Virginia Company fails
Charles I becomes King of England, marking a new era (1625-1649)
New Amsterdam (NY) founded by the Dutch West India Company
New Amsterdam (now New York) is founded in July by the Dutch West India Company.
Salem, Massachusetts is founded
George Calvert abandons the Province of Avalon
The Mohawks defeat the Mahicans (1624-1628)
Massachusetts Bay Colony founded (1628-1692)
Patroon system implemented by Kiliaen van Rensselaer
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Timeline of Events & Inventions Knowing what major events were happening or what technologies were available to your ancestors during their lifetime could be useful when researching your family's history. For example, if they lived after 1839, there may be a photograph of them out there somewhere. If they lived after 1827, they may have been associated with or migrated west on the newly built railroads. If they died in New England in 1636, they could have been killed in the Pequot War.
This timeline is a work in progress and far from complete. More items will be added!
