First Recorded Earthquake in America – 1638

 Events
Jun 012024
 

First recorded American earthquake occurred in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1638. Since English citizens had rarely experienced earthquakes, the colonists did not even have a word to describe their experience. Scientists today believe the earthquake was between a 6.5 to 7 on the Richter Magnitude Scale, making the earthquake one of the strongest ever in New England. Children could visit a WONDERFUL interactive site, including a map of earthquakes that have occurred today, at: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/.

Mayflower Set Sail in 1620

 Events
Sep 162024
 

Mayflower set sail in 1620 with 102 passengers and a meager crew. Its destination was Jamestown in Virginia, but it encountered terrible storms and was blown off course. It arrived at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1620. The passengers went ashore at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 26, 1620. Children could read On the Mayflower by Kate Waters. They could also visit: Mayflower.