1609

Sept. 14. Henry Hudson anchors his ship Half Moon opposite West Point.

1775

Aug. 29. Fort Constitution on Constitution Island begun.

1776

Sept. 27. Secretary of War Knox proposes a military academy for the United States.

1777

Oct. 6. Colonial Generals George and James Clinton defeated by their English cousin Sir Henry Clinton at Forts Montgomery and Clinton on Popolopen Creek, Bear Mountain.

1778

Jan. 20. West Point first occupied as a military post.

Mar. 26. Count Kosciuszko placed in charge of West Point fortifications.

Apr. 30. The Great Chain put in place for blockading the Hudson River to enemy traffic.

1779

July 30. George Washington issues orders for a plan of instruction at West Point for a "Corps of Engineers, Sappers, and Miners."

1780

Aug. 15. Benedict Arnold invites bids from the British for the delivery of the West Point fortress.

Sept. 27, 28. Major John André, the English spy, imprisoned in Fort Putnam after his capture at Tarrytown.

1782

May 31. First Camp Illumination.

1783

Apr. 22. Colonel Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General of the Army, first suggests that the military academy be located at West Point.

1802

Mar. 16. United States Military Academy authorized by Congress.

Apr. 15. Major Jonathan Williams appointed first superintendent.

July 4. The Academy formally opens with nine cadets.

Oct. 12. Joseph G. Swift, first graduate of the Academy.

1805

 p. viii  Apr. 19. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Williams reappointed superintendent with increased rank and authority.

July 27. Cadet mess opens.

1812

Aug. 15. George Ronan, Class of 1811, first graduate of the Academy to be killed in action, in Indian fight near Chicago.

1816

Sept. 4. United States Military Academy gray uniforms adopted in honor of Scott's troops at the battles of Chippawa and Lundy's Lane.

1817

July 28. Major Sylvanus Thayer appointed superintendent.

Sept. 15. Second Lieutenant George W. Gardiner appointed the first Commandant of Cadets.

1831

Mar. 6. Cadet Edgar Allan Poe dismissed for academic deficiencies.

1835

Mar. 31. Cadets forbidden to marry.

1838

Feb. 19. Fire destroys building containing the Adjutant's office, library, and the departments of chemistry, philosophy, and engineering.

Nov. 24. Cadets first provided with bedsteads.

1853

Jan. 25. Cadet battalion sized for first time.

1854

Aug. 28. The Academy's course of study changed from four to five years.

1857

Mar. 3. Cadet pay raised to $30.00 a month.

1858

Oct. 11. Course of study changed from five to four years.

1859

Apr. 5. Course of study raised from four to five years.

1869

May 22. Association of graduates formed with Colonel Thayer as first president.

1880

Aug. 11. At a Grand Army of the Republic reunion, General W. T. Sherman, Class of 1840, says, "There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell."

1884

Feb. 13. First "Hundredth Night Show."

1888

June 15. Cadet dress coat adopted.

1890

Nov. 29. First Army-Navy football game (Score: Army 0, Navy 24).

1896

Apr. 15. Corner stone of Cullum Hall laid.

1897

May 31. Battle Monument dedicated.

1898

Oct. 13. Arms and seal of United States Military Academy adopted.

1899

Mar. 24. Black, gray, and gold for the Academy athletic uniforms adopted.

1900

June 10. Catholic Chapel consecrated.

1910

 p. ix  June 12. New Cadet Chapel dedicated, and "The Corps" first sung in public.

1911

Apr. 24. Reveille gun fired from Trophy Point for first time.

Nov. 19. "Alma Mater" first sung as a hymn.

1918

Nov. 1. Second and Third Classes graduated as emergency war measure.

Nov. 4. New Fourth Class admitted.

Dec. 3. Student Officers Class (Class of 1919) returned to the Academy for further instruction.

1924

Nov. 15. Michie Stadium formally opened.

1931

Jan. 10. The Smith Skating Rink dedicated.

1933

May 25. Bachelor of Science degree authorized for Academy graduates.

1942

Aug. 25. Opening of Stewart Field for Academy flying training at Newburgh, N. Y.

Oct. 1. Course of study temporarily reduced to three years.

1943

Jan. 19. First Class graduated as emergency war measure.

July 1. The 1,075 Fourth Classmen, largest number in history, become cadets.

1944

May 30. Dedication of Air Cadet Memorial.

1945

Sept. 4. Course of study raised to four years beginning with the current Fourth Class.