b) Jamestown, Virginia

Jamestown, Virginia, established in 1607, holds a notable place in American history as the site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World and the birthplace of representative government in America. In 1619, the Virginia House of Burgesses convened, marking the first legislative assembly in the colonies. This event was a significant step towards democratic governance, introducing the concept of self-government and the principle of elected representatives to the New World. The establishment of the House of Burgesses was a precursor to the democratic institutions that would later become a hallmark of the United States, laying the foundation for the American political system.