What notable event occurred in Virginia in 1619?

In 1619, a significant event in Virginia's history was the arrival of the first documented African slaves to the British colonies, specifically at the port of Point Comfort. This marked the beginning of an enforced labor system in the colonies, which would become central to the economy and social structure of the American South. The arrival of these enslaved Africans was a pivotal moment as it laid the foundation for the development of slavery as an institution in the United States. This event marked a shift in labor practices moving from indentured servitude towards a more systematized form of racialized slavery that would dominate the Southern economy for centuries.

While the establishment of the House of Burgesses in the same year is also a key historic moment, it primarily aimed at creating a legislative assembly for the colony, signifying the beginnings of self-governance in America. The arrival of European settlers happened earlier in 1607 with the founding of Jamestown. The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620, was associated with a different set of colonies in New England, making it unrelated to the events in Virginia in 1619.