1607
- English settlers founded Jamestown in 1607. Despite
frequent battles with the Powhatan Indians, disease,
and inconsistent or brutal leadership, the colony
survives. Learn more about Jamestown by
clicking here.
1619
- Virginia's House of Burgesses becomes America's
first representative government. Learn more
about the House of Burgesses by clicking here.
1676
- Bacon's Rebellion, an uprising by Virginia farmers
against the royal governor, results in the burning
of Jamestown and forces the governor to flee.
1693
- The College of William and Mary is founded in
Middle Plantation.
1699
- Virginia capital is moved from Jamestown to Middle
Plantation (Williamsburg). Learn more about
the founding of Williamsburg by clicking here.
1774
- Virginia delegates are chosen to attend
the Continental Congress in Philadelphia at the
First Virginia Convention. Learn more about
the Continental Congress by clicking here.
1775
- First
shots of the Revolution are fired at Lexington,
Massachusetts. The American Revolution has begun.
Click here to
learn more about the American Revolution.
6/15/1775
- Virginian George Washington is named commander-in-chief
of the Continental Army. Click here
to learn more about George Washington.
7/4/1776
- The 13 colonies, including Virginia, del care
independence from Great Britain. Click here
to learn about the Declaration of Independence.
9/1781
- British
forces under Charles Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown,
Virginia. The Revolutionary War is over and America
is a free nation. Click here
to learn more about the Battle of Yorktown.
6/25/1788
- Virginia
ratifies the Constitution and becomes the10th state.
Click here
to learn about the Constitutional Convention.
1831
- Nat Turner's slave rebellion results in the deaths
of 55 people in Southampton, Virginia
1859
- John Brown hijacks the federal armory in Harper's
Ferry. He is eventually captured and several of
his sons are killed. Click here
to read more about John Brown's Rebellion
4/17/1861
- Virginia secedes from the Union and joins the
Confederacy. The Civil War has begun. Click
here to learn more
about the Civil War.
1862
- Hampton Roads was the site of major naval battle
between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (Merrimac).
Click here
to learn more.
1863
- West Virginia secedes from Virginia and becomes
its own state. Click here
to learn more.
1865
- After Union forces take Petersburg and Richmond,
General Robert E. Lee, commander of The army of
Northern Virginia, and beloved Confederate general,
officially surrenders and ends Civil War at Appomattox
Courthouse. Click here to learn more about
Petersburg | Richmond
| Appomattox
Courthouse | Robert E. Lee
1870
- Virginia is re-admitted to the union, and hence
becomes part of the United States of America again.
Click here
to learn more about Reconstruction.
1/13-1990
- Douglas Wilder is sworn in as
governor and becomes first African-American governor
in United States history.
Today
Parts of Virginia are among the fastest growing
areas in the United States.
