What significant event occurred in Virginia in 1619?

The significant event that occurred in Virginia in 1619 is associated with the establishment of the first General Assembly. This assembly was crucial as it marked the beginning of representative government in the American colonies. It allowed for elected representatives to meet and make decisions on behalf of the colonists, which was a foundational step in the development of democracy in the United States.

While the other options mention important historical events, they either did not occur in that specific year or were not as pivotal in shaping the political landscape of Virginia. The London Company did grant charters, but that action was not a defining event of 1619. The arrival of the first African slaves in Virginia did occur in 1619, but it is the establishment of the General Assembly that is more directly related to the overall governance and political evolution of the colony at that time. The founding of Jamestown was significant as it was the first permanent English settlement in America, but it took place in 1607, well before the notable developments of 1619.