The event that led to the establishment of the first permanent English settlement in North America was the founding of Jamestown in 1607. Located in present-day Virginia, Jamestown was established by the Virginia Company and served as a crucial foothold for English colonization in the New World. Although the settlement faced numerous challenges, including disease, famine, and conflicts with Native Americans, it marked the beginning of England's enduring presence in North America, paving the way for future colonies and expansion.