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Hampton, Virginia

Located in Independent City, Virginia, Hampton was founded in 1610. Hampton is the oldest continuous English-speaking settlement in America. The first Africans in English North America landed at Point Comfort near Hampton in 1619.
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Founded 1610 | Population 137,148 | Peak 137,148 (2024) | County Independent City

Top 10 Most Important Events for Hampton, Virginia

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1610 Oldest English Settlement: Continuous English-speaking settlement established — oldest in America.
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1619 First Africans Arrive: First Africans in English North America arrive at nearby Point Comfort.
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1861 Contraband Decision: Gen. Butler declares escaped slaves 'contraband of war' at Fort Monroe, beginning path to emancipation.
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1868 Hampton University Founded: Historically Black university established to educate freedmen.
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1917 Langley Field Opens: Army aviation research center that becomes NASA Langley.
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1958 NASA Langley Research Center: Space agency established; Hampton becomes cradle of American space program.
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Latest News in Hampton

Feb 20, 2026
Dad And Son Charged With 216 Counts Of Incest, Pay The Price
A father and son in West Virginia has been charged with over 216 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse that involved t…
Feb 2, 2016
Pennsylvania Mom Speaks Out After Sons Confederate Flag Shit Gets Him Sent
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — In a small Pennsylvania town back in early February 2016, a mother’s frustration boiled over when her te…
Jan 27, 2016
Virginia First State Functionally End Veteran Homelessness
Richmond, Virginia – On January 27, 2016, Virginia made history as the first state in the nation to functionally end veteran hom…
May 14, 2015
Former Dem Sen Webb I Wont Vote Hillary Clinton Video
Washington, D.C. – In a surprising turn during the 2016 presidential buildup, former Democratic Senator Jim Webb announced o…

Complete Historical Timeline

1610 Culture
Oldest English Settlement
1619 Civil Rights
First Africans Arrive
1861 Civil Rights
Contraband Decision
1868 Culture
Hampton University Founded
1917 Science
Langley Field Opens
1958 Science
NASA Langley Research Center

Did You Know?

1
Hampton is the oldest continuous English-speaking settlement in America.
2
The first Africans in English North America landed at Point Comfort near Hampton in 1619.
3
NASA Langley Research Center was the birthplace of America's space program.
4
Hampton is located in Independent City, Virginia.
5
Hampton was founded in 1610.

Famous People from Hampton, Virginia

AI
Allen Iverson
Rapper, Basketball Player · Born Jun 7, 1975 · Age 50
MJ
Mary Jackson
Computer Scientist, Mathematician · Born Apr 9, 1921 · Died Feb 11, 2005 (age 83)
MR
Matthew Ridgway
Politician, Military Officer · Born Mar 3, 1895 · Died Jul 26, 1993 (age 98)
FM
Francena McCorory
Sprinter, Athletics Competitor · Born Oct 20, 1988 · Age 37
RS
Robert Satcher
Astronaut, Chemical Engineer · Born Sep 22, 1965 · Age 60

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