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1000
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Cherokee are well known in Tennessee River and
the Great Smoky Mountain area, having traveled on
foot from the Appalachian Mountains to the Iroquois
territory.
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1540
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Hernando de Soto travels the Cherokee
territory.
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1600s
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Spanish, French,English explorers, and traders
start to come into Cherokee Territory.
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1730
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Cherokee leaders visit England.
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1754
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Nanye hi becomes a Beloved Woman to her people
after challenging the Cherokees in a battle against
the Creeks.
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1756- 1763
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Cherokees fight in the French and Indian war
(against the British.)
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1776
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Cherokees are again enemies against the British
in the American Revolution.
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1780- 1820
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Cherokees sign more treaties leaving their land
to the United States.
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1821
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The Cherokee syllabary is finished by
Sequoyah.
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1827
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Cherokees draft a constitution declaring
themselves a nation.
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1828
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The Cherokee Phoenix is published, Andrew
Jackson becomes president of the United States, and
John Ross becomes Principal Chief.
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1830
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The Indian Removal Act is passed.
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1835
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The Treaty of New Echota is signed declaring all
of the Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River
to the U.S. government. It was signed by Major
Ridge and a small group of Cherokees.
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1838
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The Trail of Tears started because Cherokees are
forced off their land to Indian Territory.
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1839
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A new capital is established by the Cherokee
Nation in what is now known as Oklahoma.
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1861
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At Park Hill a Treaty is signed between the
Confederate government and the Cherokee Nation.
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1866-1867
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They negotiate peace with the U.S. government.
Tribal and land rights treaty is signed. John Ross
dies.
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1887
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General Allotment Act is passed.
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1889
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Indian Territory taken over by white settlers or
"boomers."
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1890
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Western half of Indian Territory turned into
Indian Territory.
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1893
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White settlers take over Cherokee Outlet.
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1898
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Curtis Act is passed.
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1903
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W.C. Rogers becomes last elected chief. He was
chief for 69 years.
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1905
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Land allotment begins.
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1907
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Indian and Oklahoma territories are combined by
Oklahoma statehood. Tribal government
dissolves.
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1917
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W. C. Rogers dies. He was the last Cherokee
chief.
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1934
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Indian Reorganization act is established.
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1948
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Chief J.B. Milam calls Cherokee convention.
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1949
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President Harry Truman appoints W.W. Bill Keeler
as chief.
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1957
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First national holiday for Cherokees.
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1961
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US Claims Commission awards Cherokees 15 million
dollars for the Cherokee Outlet Land.
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1963
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Cherokee National Historical Society
founded.
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1967
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Cherokee Foundation formed.
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1970
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Cherokee Nation gets ownership of beds and
banks.
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1971
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W.W. Bill Keeler becomes elected principal
chief. He was the first chief since statehood.
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1975
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self-determination and Education Act is passed.
Ross O. Swimmer elected principal chief. He served
a term for three years. First Cherokee Tribal
Council elected.
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1976
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Cherokee voters accept new constitution.
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1984
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Eastern band of Cherokees and Cherokee nation
hold first joint council meeting. It was the first
meeting held in 146 years.
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1987
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Wilma Mankiller becomes the first woman elected
chief, and makes history.
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1988
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The Trail of Tears begin when the Cherokee
Nation combines with the Eastern band of
Cherokees.
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1989
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The 150th anniversary for the Cherokees for
arriving in the "Indian Territory" or a "New
Beginning."
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1990
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Chief Mankiller sign the self-governance
agreement. This makes the Cherokee Nation one of
the six tribes to cooperate in the
self-determination project.
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1991
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Wilma Mankiller becomes principal chief again to
serve her second term.
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1995
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Joe Byrd and Garland Eagle elected principal
chief.
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