Three ships, led by Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, landed on the American continent
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American History
A timeline specifically tailored to US Historical Events, particularly those that don't warrant inclusion among general world history.
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1492
America's discovered by Western Europe
Discovery, Exploration -
1607
14 May
Jamestown founded in present-day Virginia
FoundingJamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, is established
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1620
11 November
Mayflower Compact Signed
Civil actionThis was the signing of the Mayflower Compact by Puritans who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Noted as the first governing document created for an English colony in the Americas.
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1756
17 May1763
15 February
7 Year's war (French and Indian War)
Military actionA significant war in European History that spanned the globe and played a significant role in starting the American Revolution
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1776
4 July1783
3 September
American Revolution
RevolutionA colonial revolt by British Colonies in the Americas, with the goal of independence. It founded the United States, one of the most influential countries on Earth, and is noted as one of the few successful revolutions.
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1787
25 May1787
17 September
US Constitutional Convention
Gathering / ConferenceThe convention that ratified the US constitution, which established the first Federal Republican system. Praised for its notable separation of powers and protections of rights.
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1796
George Washington Steps down
Political eventGeorge Washington, the first president of the United States, steps down after a precedent-setting two-term presidency. While his entire life and presidency was historically-significant, this peaceful-transition of power was particularly important for American development.
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1803
4 July
Louisiana Purchase
Diplomatic actionThis purchase of a significant amount of land from France nearly doubled the size of the United States.
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1846
25 April1848
3 February
American-Mexican War
Military actionA war between the US and Mexico that, though insignificant on its own, exasperated problems that eventually cumulated in the Civil War.
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1914
1918
World War 1
Military actionWorld War 1, a conflict that began after the assassination of an Austria-Hungary leader, spanned the globe and caused massive destruction in Europe. It left many nations in ruins and set the stage for the far more destructive second world war.
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1929
1945
The Great Depression
Financial EventA worldwide economic downturn that particularly affected the United States and portions of Europe
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1939
1 September1945
2 September
World War Two
Military actionThe Second World War, fought between the Axis and Allied powers, was and still is the single worst war ever fought by humanity. Over 40 million people were killed as a direct result of the fighting, while the effects it had on the world were felt for decades afterwards.