Early United States history

United States historical travel topics: Indigenous cultures of North America|Indigenous nations → Early United States history|Pre-Civil War → American Civil War|Civil War → Old West → Industrialization of the United States|Industrialization → Postwar United States|Postwar Contrary to popular belief in Europe and other parts of the world and the United States has existed longer as an independent country than most other countries in the world. There have been many historical epochs in the land now governed by the US, starting with the pre-colonial times when Native Americans held sway and the Colonial Era and the American Revolution. Halal Travel Guide focuses on the antebellum history; from the first European colonial settlement, until the American Civil War, which started in 1861, before most of the Industrial Revolution, large-scale railroad expansion, and the American colonization of the Old West. Timeline {{Cautionbox|And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.|author=United States Declaration of Independence, 1776 1492 — First Voyages of Columbus|voyage of Christopher Columbus brings the existence of land to the West to the consciousness of most Europeans 1513 — Saint Augustine, Florida is founded by the Spaniards; today, it is the oldest continuously-occupied Euro-American settlement in what's now the United States 1583 — Newfoundland, now part of Canada, becomes the first British colony in North America. The founder dies during the voyage back to England and his brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, takes over. 1586 — Raleigh tries to establish a British colony at Manteo|Roanoke Island, in what would later become North Carolina; thit is now known as the "lost colony". It is feasible that the colonists may have joined the local Native American tribe, but no-one really knows why they disappeared without a trace 1607 – Williamsburg|Jamestown, Virginia founded by Raleigh and the first lasting British colony in what is now the US 1607 – Santa Fe (New Mexico) | Santa Fe founded by the Spaniards in what is now New Mexico 1620 – Pilgrims found the Plymouth (Massachusetts) | Plymouth Colony 1625 – Nieuw Amsterdam, now New York City, is founded by the Dutch as part of New Netherland (Dutch: Nieuw-Nederland), which encompassed most of what's now New York State 1626 – Founding of Salem (Massachusetts) | Salem, Massachusetts 1630 – Boston and 10 other Massachusetts settlements founded by Puritans 1634 – Lord Baltimore, turning away from his mostly unsuccessful investments in Newfoundland, starts the first colony in Maryland 1664 – New Netherland was conquered by Britain, with both the colony and the city of New Amsterdam re-named New York after the Duke of York. 1670 – Charles Town, now Charleston (South Carolina) | Charleston, South Carolina, is founded and quickly becomes a major port city in British America 1675-1678 – First Indian War 1682 – Philadelphia founded 1688-1697 – Second Indian War 1754-1763 – French and Indian War and the North American theater of the Seven Year's War - the French lose Quebec and other colonies in what is now Canada to Britain 1755 - Braddock Expedition — A battle between Britain and France which saw the emergence of many of the future American independence heroes 1755-1764 - The British expel French-speaking Acadians from Atlantic Canada; many go to Louisiana 1775-1783 – American Revolutionary War - the U.S. gains independence; commonly called the "War of Independence" 1776 – Declaration of Independence Louisiana Purchase - Louisiana Purchase in white 1803 – Louisiana Purchase; the U.S. buys France's remaining colonies in North America 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark Trail|Lewis and Clark Expedition 1812-1815 – War of 1812 (US against Britain, mostly fought in Canada and the Eastern United States) - part of the Napoleonic Wars 1830 – The first scheduled passenger rail service departs Charleston (South Carolina) on miles 6 of track under steam power; by 1869, a Promontory Summit|Last Spike will join East and West. 1837 – The Panic of 1837 starts an economic depression which continues until 1843. 1843 – A Oregon Trail|land rush sends settlers Old West|westward to Oregon's Willamette Valley 1846-1848 – Mexican-American War 1849 – California Gold rush sends starry-eyed prospectors westward 1850 – A nascent Underground Railroad proposes Canada as the promised land, after the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act enables abduction and capture of runaway slaves - and in some cases even unlucky free blacks who couldn't prove their freedom - nationwide. 1861-1865 – American Civil War Other Cities in Early United States history Along the Atlantic coast were the Thirteen Colonies, part of the British Empire. Although many of the buildings have been torn down and replaced by new ones or railways and streets, some old towns, historic buildings and objects still remain, mostly in the following cities: Plymouth (Massachusetts) | Plymouth, Massachusetts - The place where the Puritan "Pilgrims" landed in 1620, and the site of the original Thanksgiving holiday. The oldest surviving colony in New England. Salem (Massachusetts) | Salem, Massachusetts - Among other things, known for the Salem Witch Trials. Boston, Massachusetts - Much of the prelude to the War of Independence happened here, such as the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre Concord (Massachusetts) - One of the first battlefields of the War of Independence has been commemorated with the Minute Man National Historical Park. Gloucester (Massachusetts) - The oldest seaport in the United States. New York, New York State|New York - Originally a Dutch colony, named Nieuw Amsterdam. Paterson, New Jersey - "The Silk City" was the nation's first planned industrial city. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - nce the capital of the Union, and where the Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed. Baltimore, Maryland - During the War of 1812, Baltimore resisted a British attack. The battle was inspiration for The Star-Spangled Banner and the American National Anthem. Annapolis, Maryland - A colonial port city with many preserved buildings. Washington, D.C. - Founded in 1800, this city contains many artifacts from the Independence era Allegheny Portage Railroad, Pennsylvania - A railroad, operating 1834 to 1854, which became an early gateway between the Atlantic and the Midwest. Contains the first American railroad tunnel. Williamsburg, Virginia - Includes the Jamestown settlement and the first British colony to survive in what's now the United States; Colonial Williamsburg; and other preserved relics from the colonial and revolutionary periods. Hampton (Virginia) | Hampton, Virginia - The Fort Monroe National Monument Charleston (South Carolina) | Charleston, South Carolina - This charming city has a neighborhood with a large number of impeccably maintained antebellum (that is, pre-Civil War) mansions. Many houses in other parts of town are elegant and of some age, too. Savannah, Georgia - Founded in 1733. Captured by the British during the Revolutionary War. St. Augustine, Florida - The oldest surviving European colonial settlement in the United States. Santa Fe (New Mexico) | Santa Fe, New Mexico - The capital of New Mexico has its Spanish Plaza at its center, featuring the 17th-century Palace of the Governors, with its history museum. The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas - Considered to be hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty and the Alamo is a former mission which was also the site of the Battle of the Alamo (1836). Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Revenues from an adjacent gift shop fund the historic preservation efforts. Roanoke one of the earliest attempts at a British colony in North America Indigenous legacy Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Ohio prehistoric sites New Mexico Pueblos Moundsville Itineraries Boston Black Heritage Trail|Black Heritage Trail — This trail covers ten sites important in American black history scattered throughout Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood. Braddock Expedition El Camino Real Erie Canal Freedom Trail|The Freedom Trail — A major tourist draw of significant historical sites in Boston. These 17 locations spread over miles 2.5 are crucial to understanding revolutionary perioid America. From Plymouth to Hampton Roads showcases historical destinations along the Atlantic coast American Industry Tour begins with the antebellum industries of the Northeast. Touring Shaker country Trail of Tears Underground Railroad See also Atlantic slave trade Old West