1540-The Spanish Explorer, Hernando De Soto and his party are the first whites seen by Cherokees.
1629-The first traders from English settlements began trading among the Cherokees.
1721-The Cherokee Treaty with the Govenor of the Carolinas is thought to be the first consession of land.
1785-Treaty of Hopewell is the first treaty between the US and Cherokees.
1791-Treaty of Holston signed. Includes a call for the US to advance to civilization of the Cherokees by iving them farm tools and technical advice.
1802-Jefferson signs Georgia Compact.
1817-Treaty makes exchange for land in Arkansas. Old settlers begin voluntary migration and establish a government there. In 1828, they are forced to move into Indian Territory.
1821-Sequoyah's Cherokee Syllabary completed, quickly leads to almost total literacy among the Cherokees.
1822-Cherokee's Supreme Court established.
1824-First written law of Western Cherokees.
1825-New Echota, GA authorized as Cherokee capital.
1827- Modern Cherokee Nation begins with Cherokee Constitution established by a convention; John Ross elected as Chief.
1828-Cherokee Phoenix published in English and Cherokee; Andrew JAckson elected as President. Gold discovered in GA.
1828-1830-GA Legislature abolishes tribal over Cherokee country.
1832- US Supreme Court decision Worcester vs Georgia establishes tribal sovereignty, protects Cherokees from Georgia laws. Jackson won't enforce decisions and Georgia hold lottery for Cherokee Lands.
1835-Treaty Party signs Treaty of New Echota, giving up title to all Cherokee lands in southeast in exchange for land in Indian Territory(Now Oklahoma)
1838-1839- Trail of Tears. US Government forces 17,000 Cherokees to move. More than 4,000 will die.
1844-Cherokee Supreme Court Building opens; Cherokee Advocate becomes the first newspaper in Indian territory.
1851-Cherokee male and female seminaries open. Female seminary is the first school for girls west of the Mississippi.
1859-Original Keetoowah Society organized to maintain traditions ad fight slavery/
1860-Tension mounts between Union Cherokees and Confederate Cherokees. Civil War begins.
1861- Treaty signed at Park Hill between Cherokee NAtion and the Confederate government. Cherokee Nation torn by border warfare throughoput the Civil War.
1865-1866- Chief John Ross Dies.
1887-General Allotment Act passed; requires individual ownership of lands once held in common by Indian tribes.
1889-Unassigned lands in Indian Territory opened by white settlers know as "Boomers"
1890-Oklahoma Territory organized out of western half of Indian Territory.
1893-Cherokee Outlet opened for white settlers. Dawe Comission arrives.
1898-Curtis Act passed abolishing tribal court.
1903-W.C. Rogers becomes last elected chief for 69 years.
1917-William C. Rogers, the last Cherokee Chief dies.
1948-Cheif J.B. Milam calls Cherokee Convention; beginning of model tribal govt. of the Cherokee Nation.
1949- W.W. Bill Keeler appointed chief by President Harry Truman.
1957-First Cherokee National Holiday.
1987-Wilma Mankiller makes history and draws international attention to tribe as first woman elected chief; Cherokee voters pass constitution amendment to elect council by districts in 1991.
Timeline