Seminole Timeline
- Pre-1600
- The ancestors of the Seminole people are the prehistoric moundbuilders of the Southeast. Among the indigenous tribes living in Florida before European contact were the Timucua, Apalachee, Tequesta, and Calusa.
- ca. 1600-1650
- Ancestors of the Seminoles, commonly known as Creeks, occupy up to twenty-four named towns in middle Georgia and Alabama.
- ca. 1650-1700
- Creek Indians of Georgia and Alabama use Florida as a hunting ground.
- 1708
- Most of Florida’s indigenous people have been destroyed, enslaved, or have fled elsewhere.
- 1700-1730
- Groups of Creek Indians establish residence in north Florida.
- 1740
- Alachua, the earliest recorded Seminole town, is established.
- 1765
- The Treaty of Picolata between the English and a band of Creeks signals a break between Seminoles in Florida and the larger group of Creek Indians.
- ca. 1804
- Osceola is born near Tuskegee, Alabama.
- 1813-1814
- The Creek Civil War, known as the Red Stick War, drives between 2,000 and 2,500 Muskogee-speaking Creeks (including Osceola and his family) to migrate to Florida.
- 1817-1818
- First Seminole War; General Andrew Jackson invades north Florida.
- 1823
- Terms of the Treaty of Moultrie Creek push the Seminoles into the interior of the Florida peninsula.
- 1835-1842
- Second Seminole War; thousands of Seminoles are forcibly transported west of the Mississippi River.
- 1855-1858
- Third Seminole War; Chief Billy Bowlegs and his band are forcibly removed from Florida.
- 1870s
- Seminoles reestablish their trading economy after several trading posts are opened in south Florida.
- 1906
- Draining of the Everglades begins.
- 1917
- The Seminoles’ association with tourism begins.
- 1928
- The Tamiami Train opens.
- 1934
- Congress passes the Indian Reorganization Act—legislation that will enable the Tribe to organize in 1957.
- 1957
- The Seminole Tribe of Florida is recognized by the federal government.
- 1962
- The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida is recognized by the federal government.
- 1979
- The Seminole Tribe’s sovereign status allows it to open a bingo hall on the Hollywood Reservation.
- 1995
- The Seminole Tribe’s new headquarters building opens in Hollywood.
- 1997
- Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki (“A Place to Learn”) Museum opens on the Big Cypress Reservation.
- 2006
- The Seminole Tribe acquires Hard Rock International.
- 2007
- Seminole Tribe’s first charter school opens on the Brighton Reservation
The Tribe celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of its constitution and corporate charte
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