region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey
and Pennsylvania
to the south, and by Connecticut
, Massachusetts
and Vermont
to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island
east of Long Island
, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario
to the north and west, and Quebec
to the north.
1674 England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster, ending the Third Anglo-Dutch War. A provision of the agreement transfers the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam to England, and it is renamed New York.
1683 The British crown colony of New York is subdivided into 12 counties.
1776 The Battle of Long Island: in what is now Brooklyn, New York, British forces under General William Howe defeat Americans under General George Washington.
1777 Vermont declares its independence from New York.
1777 American Revolutionary War: The Americans led by General John Stark rout British and Brunswick troops under Friedrich Baum at the Battle of Bennington in Walloomsac, New York.
1778 Cherry Valley Massacre: Loyalists and Seneca Indian forces attack a fort and village in eastern New York during the American Revolutionary War, killing more than forty civilians and soldiers.
1788 New York ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 11th state of the United States.
1799 New York passes a law aimed at gradually abolishing slavery in the state.
1802 At West Point, New York the United States Military Academy opens.
1845 The Knickerbockers Baseball Club, the first baseball team to play under the modern rules, is founded in New York.