c. 400 BC — The Greek city-state of Athens establishes the first democracy
1607 — The first successful English settlement in North America is founded at Jamestown
1681 — The Pennsylvania Colony is founded by William Penn
1732 — The colony of Georgia is founded and named after King George II
1760 — King George III ascends England’s throne; he rules during the American Revolution
1776 — On July 4, the thirteen colonies declare independence from England in the Declaration of Independence
1777 — The Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation; the states ratify them in 1781
1786 — Daniel Shays leads a tax revolt
1803 — President Thomas Jefferson doubles the size of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase
1809 — James Madison is elected fourth US president
1814 — British troops set fire to the White House during the War of 1812
1861 — Southern states leave the Union, starting the Civil War
1963 — Martin Luther King Jr. gives his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington
1974 — President Richard Nixon resigns from office