1142 AD

August 31. In the area that lies between the modern day upstate New York and Pennsylvania, following the preaching of prophets Hiawatha e Deganawida, five great Indian tribes come together and give birth to the Iroquois Confederacy or League of the Five Nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga and Seneca). Almost six hundred years later the Five Nations become six, when the Tuscarora tribe joins the league.

“Whenever a specially important matter or a great emergency is presented before the Confederate Council and the nature of the matter affects the entire body of the Five Nations, threatening their utter ruin, then the Lords of the Confederacy must submit the matter to the decision of their people and the decision of the people shall affect the decision of the Confederate Council. This decision shall be a confirmation of the voice of the people.
(Art. 93 of the Iroquois Constitution, Gayanashagowa or Great Law of Peace)