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The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, kicked off the American Revolutionary War
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, kicked off the American Revolutionary War -
The Winter at Valley Forge
The winter of 1777-78 was not the coldest nor the worst winter experienced during the war, but regular freezing and thawing, plus intermittent snowfall and rain, coupled with shortages of provisions, clothing, and shoes, made living conditions extremely difficult. -
Benedict Arnold turns traitor
Revolutionary War hero Benedict Arnold turned his back on his country in a secret meeting with a top British official. -
The Battle of Cowpens
At the Battle of Cowpens, Daniel Morgan cemented his legacy as a highly effective military leader. After earning a reputation for brutality by patriot forces, Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton was defeated at the Battle of Cowpens. -
The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
The exchange of broadsides felled Guerriere's masts and reduced the ship to a sinking condition. Constitution's crew took the British sailors on board and set Guerriere on fire, then returned to Boston with news of the victory, which proved to be important for American morale. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The American victory in the Gulf region forced the British to recognize the United States' claims to Louisiana and West Florida and to ratify the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war. The Battle of New Orleans also marked the state's political incorporation into the Union. -
The Battle of Baltimore
After two days of fighting, it was clear the defenders of Baltimore proved victorious. As the British forces retreated, the Star-Spangled Banner rose above Fort McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to put to words the emotions and passions of a triumphant young nation. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837, seeking to act as the direct representative of the common man. More nearly than any of his predecessors, Andrew Jackson was elected by popular vote; as President, he sought to act as the direct representative of the common man. -
The Battle of the Alamo
Alamo, Battle of the. The siege and the final assault on the Alamo in 1836 constitute the most celebrated military engagement in Texas history. -
Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and Arizona
ended the war between the United States and Mexico. By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including the present-day states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln (Republican) won the presidential election of 1860 in a four-way contest. Although Lincoln received less than 40% of the popular vote, he easily won the Electoral College vote over Stephen Douglas (Democrat), John Breckenridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union). -
South Carolina secedes from the United States
When Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president, the South Carolina legislature perceived a threat. Calling a state convention, the delegates voted to remove the state of South Carolina from the union known as the United States of America -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The first Battle of Bull Run, also called First Battle of Manassas, Battle of First Manassas, or Manassas Junction, in the American Civil War first of two engagements and was fought at a small stream named Bull Run, near Manassas in northern Virginia. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg marked the turning point of the Civil War. With more than 50,000 estimated casualties, the three-day engagement was the bloodiest single battle of the conflict. -
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee met in the parlor of a house in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, to discuss the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, which would effectively end the Civil War. -
The sinking of the USS Maine
an explosion of unknown origin sank the battleship U.S.S. Maine in the Havana, Cuba harbor, killing 266 of the 354 crew members. The sinking of the Maine incited United States' passions against Spain, eventually leading to a naval blockade of Cuba and a declaration of war. -
The sinking of the USS Maine
an explosion of unknown origin sank the battleship U.S.S. Maine in the Havana, Cuba harbor, killing 266 of the 354 crew members. The sinking of the Maine incited United States' passions against Spain, eventually leading to a naval blockade of Cuba and a declaration of war. -
The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
during the War of 1812 with Great Britain, was adopted by Congress as the U.S. national anthem in 1931.