Columbus dies at Valladolid First, letter of Cortez on the conquest May 20, 1506 of Mexico to Charles V. of Spain Juan Diaz de Solis and Vicente Yañez July 10, 1519 Pinzon are on the southeast coast of Panama founded by Pedrarias...1519 Yucatan .1506 Montezuma, emperor of the Mexicans, [De Cordova, 1517; Grijalva, 1518; dies........... ......June 30, 1520 Cortez, 1519.] Magellan discovers the straits which Waldseemüller's or the "Admiral's" bear his name, and passes into the Pacific ...probably 1507 Ocean............Oct. 21-Nov. 27, 1520 First English publication to mention Cortez accomplishes the conquest of ...1509 Mexico ... Francisco Pizarro reaches Darien..1509 Pizarro sails from Panama for Peru, Alonso de Ojeda founds San Sebastian, but returns for supplies and repairs the first colony in South America..1510 Diego Velasquez subjugates Cuba and founds Havana....... map America ... .1521 Nov. 14, 1524 Francis de Hoces, in command of one .....1511 of the ships of Loyasas, discovers Cape ....1525 Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida Horn March 27, 1512 Narvaez's expedition to the upper Gulf Vespucci dies at Seville, Spain, aged of California..... sixty-one years..... ...1527 .....1512 Pizarro enters Peru and destroys the 1531-33 Vasco Nuñez Balboa, crossing the government .. isthmus of Darien, discovers the Pacific and takes possession of it for the King of Spain, calling it the "South Sea " Sept. 25, 1513 Juan Diaz de Solis discovers the La Plata.... ...January, 1516 [He is killed by natives in an attempt to land. This river named in 1527 from silver plate possessed by natives.] Spaniards at Darien hear of the empire of the Incas... Jacques Cartier enters the Gulf of St. Lawrence and sails to the present site of Montreal ...1534-35 Ferdinand de Grijalva's expedition equipped by Cortez, discovers California 1534 Antonio de Mendoza appointed viceroy of Mexico, the first in the New World 1535-50 Francisco Orellana explores eastward .................1512-17 from Peru, down the Amazon, reaching Las Casas made "Universal Protector the ocean (voyage of seven months) PRINCIPAL PERSONS CONNECTED WITH THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, AND WHY KNOWN Columbus, Christopher, born in Genoa voyage of Columbus. Attempts to dein 1435-45 (?); died in Valladolid, Spain, prive Columbus of the discovery, is baffled May 20, 1506. The discoverer of the New and disgraced.] World (America)... ..1492-98 Cabot, John, Venetian, date of birth and death unknown. In the service of Henry VII. of England, discovers the mainland ..1493 of North America (supposed coast of [Commander of the Pinta in the first Labrador)...... ..June 24, 1497 Pinzon, Martin Alonso, Spanish navigator, born in Spain in 1441; died in Spain .... Cabot, Sebastian, son of John, born in Accompanies Columbus to America, 1493, Venice in 1475 (?), died in London about and during the next fifty years crosses 1557; discoverer of Newfoundland and ex- the Atlantic fourteen times in the interest plorer of North American coast.1498-1517 of the natives. Made "Universal ProtecVespucci, Amerigo, born in Florence in tor of the Indians" by the Spanish gov1451; died in Spain, Feb. 12, 1512. Ex- ernment plorer of the South American coast .... Grijalva, Juan de, born in Spain; died in Nicaragua, Jan. 21, 1527. Explores Yucatan and hears of Mexico and Montezuma .....1518 ....1516 Cordova, Francisco Fernandez de, died 1499-1504 in Cuba in 1518; discovers Mexico and Cabral, Pedro Alvarez de, Portuguese explores the coast of Yucatan.......1517 navigator, died about 1526; the discoverer of Brazil... .April 22, 1500 Cortereal, Gasper, Portuguese navi gator, born in Lisbon... ......died 1501 [Sails along the coast of North America and names Labrador; returns to Lisbon and sails on his second voyage, 1501, but never returns.] Cortez, Hernando, Spanish adventurer, born in Spain in 1485; died in Spain, Dec. 2, 1547; conqueror of Mexico.....1519-21 Magellan, Fernando, Portuguese naviBobadilla, Francisco, born in Spain, sent gator, born in 1470. Discovers the Strait to Santo Domingo to relieve Columbus, sent of Magellan, which he enters Oct. 21, Columbus and his brother Diego back to 1520, and names, passing through into the Spain in chains. He loses his life by ship- ocean, Nov. 27, 1520, to which he gave the wreck on his return voyage..June 29, 1502 name Pacific. He was killed at one of the Pinzon, Vicente Yañez; brother of Philippine Islands, by the natives, April 17, Alonso; born in Spain in 1460; died in 1521. Only one of his ships, under Sebastian Spain in 1524. Commands the Niña in del Cano, reached Seville (the first ship to Columbus's first voyage. Discovers Cape circumnavigate the globe)...Sept. 8, 1522 St. Augustine, Brazil, Jan. 20, 1500, and Verazzano, Giovanni de, Florentine the mouth of the Amazon, Jan. 26. Ex- navigator; born near Florence in 1470; plores the east coast of Yucatan.....1506 died either at Newfoundland or Puerto The western continent is named for him by Martin Waldseemüller, a German geographer, in a book printed in......1507 Ojeda, Alonso de, Spanish adventurer, born in Spain in 1465; died in Hispaniola in 1515. Accompanies Columbus on his second voyage. With Amerigo Vespucci he explored the northern coast of South America in 1499, and established a settlement at San Sebastian... ....1510 Ponce de Leon, Juan, Spanish soldier; born in 1460 (?); died in Cuba in 1521. The discoverer of Florida, March 27, 1512; landing at St. Augustine.... April 2, 1512 Balboa Vasco Nuñez, Spanish adventurer, born in Spain, 1475; executed at Darien on a charge of treason, 1517; the discoverer of the Pacific Ocean.... Sept. 25, 1513 Solis, Juan Diaz de, Spanish navigator; born in Spain in 1471; died in South America in 1516. Reputed the most experienced navigator of his time. Discovers the river La Plata, South America, January, 1516 [Killed by Indians on that river.] Las Casas, Bartholomew, born in Seville, Spain, in 1474; died in Spain, July, 1566. del Rico in 1527. Explores for France the North American coast as far north as New York and Narraganset bays.....1524 Gomez, Esteban, Spanish navigator, born in Spain in 1478 (?); died at sea in 1530 (?); explores the eastern coast perhaps as far north as Connecticut....1525 Ayllon, Lucas Vasquez de, Spanish explorer, died in Virginia......Oct. 18, 1526 [Sailing, with three vessels and 600 persons, with supplies for a colony, along the coast, he enters Chesapeake Bay and attempts a settlement near Jamestown, where he died. His colonists returned to Santo Domingo in the spring of 1527.] Pizarro, Francisco, Spanish adventurer; born in Spain about 1471; assassinated at Lima, Peru, Jan. 26, 1541. The destroyer of the Peruvian government......1531-33 Cartier, Jacques, born in St. Malo, France, 1494, died about 1555; the discoverer of the river St. Lawrence.. 1534-35 Almagro, Diego de, Spanish adventurer, born in Spain in 1463 (?) with Pizarro in Peru; put to death by Pizarro..July, 1538 De Soto, Fernando, born in Spain in 1496 (?); died on the banks of the Mis sissippi, June, 1542; explorer of the south- July 21, 1576 Drake, Sir Francis, born in England in 1537 (?); died in Puerto Bello, Dec. 27, 1595; explores the coast of California in 1578-79; first Englishman to sail around the globe, reaching England.........1580 Davis, John, born in England in 1550; died on the coast of Malacca in 1605; discoverer of Davis's Strait in 1585; of the Falkland Islands...... ....1592 Hudson, Henry, born in England; discoverer and explorer of the Hudson River in the interests of the Dutch, September, 1609, and Hudson Bay in 1611. Sent adrift in an open boat by his crew and never heard of afterwards..... ....1611 UNDER THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS For previous history of the Colonies and States see each State and Territory separately. Pursuant to arrangements made by committees appointed in the colonies to confer regarding the interests and safety of the colonies, and termed "committees of correspondence," delegates were chosen for the first Continental Congress, to meet at Philadelphia about Sept. 1, 1774. First Continental Congress meets at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia (forty-four delegates present, representing all the States except Georgia and North Carolina; see below)... Monday, Sept. 5, 1774 [Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, president; Charles Thomson, secretary. Mr. Thomson remained secretary of the Continental Congress from its beginning to its close, 1774-89.] DELEGATES TO THE FIRST CONTINENTAL DELEGATES TO THE FIRST CONTINENTAL Delegates. 21. James Kinsey.. 23. Richard Smith. 24. William Livingston... 26. Hon. Joseph Galloway. 28. Thomas Mifflin.. 29. John Morton. 30. Charles Humphreys.. 32. George Ross 34. Hon. Cæsar Rodney.. 37. Robert Goldsborough. 39. Samuel Chase. New Hamp-July 21, 1774 48. Richard Henry Lee.. Rhode Island 49. Henry Middleton.. 52. John Rutledge. Aug. 10, 1774 55. Joseph Hewes... Connecticut... July 13, 1774 and City State Represented. Credentials New Jersey... July 23, 1774 Pennsyl- New Castle, July 22, 1774 Aug. 1, 1774 Maryland..... June 22, 1774 Henry Wisner. July 28, 1774 George Ross.. Joseph Hewes. Richard Caswell. July 28, 1774 John Herring.. Simon Boerum.... Virginia.... Maryland. Maryland... Congress resolves "that in determining North Carolina, April 7, 1775; New questions, each colony or province shall Jersey, May 26, 1775.] have one vote ”. .....Sept. 6, 1774 Rev. Jacob Duché opens Congress with prayer.... .Sept. 7, 1774 Resolution of Suffolk, Mass., convention (Sept. 6), that no obedience is due to any part of the recent acts of Parliament," approved by Congress 66 Rhode Island colonists seize forty-four pieces of ordnance at Newport Dec. 6, 1774 Maryland convention enrolls the militia and votes £10,000 to purchase arms Dec. 8-12, 1774 New Hampshire freemen seize 100 barrels of powder and some ordnance at Portsmouth... .Dec. 11, 1774 Benjamin Franklin returns from England..... . April, 1775 Delegates from Georgia to Congress by letter express loyalty, and explain inability to attend..... ..April 8, 1775 Sept. 10, 1774 Congress rejects a plan for union with Great Britain, proposed by Joseph Galloway, of Pennsylvania, as intended to perpetuate dependence........Sept. 28, 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant, west Virginia..... ....Oct. 10, 1774 Congress adopts a "Declaration of First anti-slavery society in the United Colonial Rights," claiming self-government States formed by Quakers of Philadel Oct. 14, 1774 phia...... ..April 14, 1775 Battle of Lexington, Mass., at dawn of April 19, 1775 American Association, denouncing foreign slave-trade, and pledging the signers to non-consumption and to non-intercourse with Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies, signed by fifty-two members of Congress.......Oct. 20, 1774 "Address to the People of Great Britain," prepared by John Jay, approved by Congress.. .Oct. 21, 1774 Congress adopts a Memorial to the Several Anglo-American Colonies" Oct. 21, 1774 A letter to the unrepresented colonies of St. John, N. S., Georgia, and east and west Florida, despatched by Congress Oct. 22, 1774 Randolph resigning on account of indisposition, Henry Middleton, of South Carolina, succeeds him as president of Congress... .....Oct. 22, 1774 "Petition to the King" drawn by John Dickinson, ordered sent to colonial agents in London by Congress......Oct. 25, 1774 Congress adopts An Address to the People of Quebec," drawn by Dickinson 66 Oct. 26, 1774 First Continental Congress dissolved; fifty-two days' session (actual session thirty-one days)... .....Oct. 26, 1774 [Proceedings of first Continental Congress endorsed by the colonies: Connecticut, November, 1774; Massachusetts, Dec. 5, 1774; Maryland, Dec. 8, 1774; Rhode Island, Dec. 8, 1774; Pennsylvania, Dec. 10, 1774; South Carolina, Jan. 11, 1775; New Hampshire, Jan. 25, 1775; Delaware, March 15, 1775; Virginia, March 20, 1775; Congress adopts a second petition to the King.... ....July 8, 1775 Congress organizes a systematic superintendence of Indian affairs. .July 12, 1775 Benjamin Franklin, first postmastergeneral, establishes posts from Falmouth, Me., to Savannah, Ga.......July 26, 1775 Congress adopts an "Address to the People of Ireland "........ July 28, 1775 Resolved by Congress, "That Michael Hillegas and George Clymer, Esqs., be joint treasurers of the United Colonies" July 29, 1775 Peyton Randolph died at Philadelphia. Oct. 22, 1775 Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense Jan. 8, 1776 General Thomas died of small-pox at Chambly.... ...June 2, 1776 Committee appointed by Congress to draw up a Declaration of Independence June 11, 1776 Engrossed declaration signed by fiftyfour delegates..... ...Aug. 2, 1776 First society of Shakers in the United Colonies reach New York, 1774, and settle at Watervliet, N. Y...... September, 1776 Second Continental Congress (Philadelphia) adjourns; 582 days' session Henry Laurens, of South Carolina, chosen president of Congress to succeed Hancock, resigned on account of ill-health Nov. 1, 1777 Gen. John Cadwallader seriously wounds General Conway in a duel... Feb. 5, 1778 Congress prescribes an oath for officers of the army.... .... February, 1778 Count Pulaski raises a legion in Maryland ... .....1778 Sixth Continental Congress adjourns, 272 days' session..... .June 27, 1778 Seventh Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia...... ....July 2, 1778 [Henry Laurens, president.] Francis Hopkinson elected treasurer of loans by Congress..........July 27, 1778 Territory northwest of the Ohio, occupied for Virginia by Major Clarke, is constituted a county of Virginia by the Assembly, and named Illinois..October, 1778 Congress advises the several States to take measures for the suppressing of “theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gaming, and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and general depravity of principles and manners" Oct. 12, 1778 Delegates from New Jersey sign the Articles of Confederation.. Nov. 26, 1778 John Jay, of New York, chosen president of Congress.. ...Dec. 10, 1778 Thomas Hutchins, of New Jersey, appointed "geographer-general of the United States" by act of Congress, which office he holds until his death at Pittsburg, April 28, 1789..... ....1778 Articles of Confederation signed by Thomas McKean, of Delaware, Feb. 12, and by John Dickinson, of Delaware May 5, 1779 Samuel Huntington, of Connecticut, chosen president of Congress. Sept. 28, 1779 Legislature of New York empowers its delegates to cede to Congress a portion of its western territory for the common benefit..... ..Feb. 19, 1780 Bank of Pennsylvania, the first in the United States, chartered and located at Philadelphia.... ....March 1, 1780 "Dark Day" in New England May 19, 1780 Congress advises States to surrender their territorial claims to Western land for the general benefit......Sept. 6, 1780 |