Columbus's Arrival and Colonial America
The Timeline of American history begins with Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492, marking the start of European exploration and colonization in the Americas.
Highlight: Columbus's expedition on August 3, 1492, was originally intended to find a route to India, leading to the misnomer "Indians" for Native Americans.
European colonization intensified around 1600, with settlers primarily arriving from England. This period laid the foundation for the future United States.
The "Boston Tea Party" of 1773 was a pivotal moment in pre-revolutionary America.
Example: Boston citizens protested British taxation by throwing tea from the British East India Trading Company into the harbor, a significant act of defiance against colonial rule.
The American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence, lasted from 1775 to 1783. This conflict culminated in the birth of the United States of America.
Highlight: On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, formally announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain.
The new Constitution was drafted in 1787, with George Washington presiding over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This document replaced the earlier Articles of Confederation and established the framework for the U.S. government.
George Washington's inauguration as the first United States president took place on April 30, 1789, marking the beginning of the new nation's executive branch.
The Bill of Rights, ratified on December 15, 1791, added the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ensuring fundamental rights and liberties for American citizens.
