Maine's Colonial and Territorial History: Key Dates

Colonial Period

• 1607 – English attempt at Jamestown (Virginia).
• 1620 – Pilgrims land at Plymouth (Massachusetts).
• 1630 – Massachusetts Bay Colony founded.
• 1639 – Sir Ferdinando Gorges establishes Maine Colony.
• 1652 – Maine absorbed into Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Territorial Period

• 1783 – US independence.
• 1784 – Maine separated from Massachusetts as a US territory.
• 1820 – Maine admitted as the 23rd state.