-
Massacre at Mystic
Connecticut colonists under the lead of Captain John Mason, allied with Narragansett and Mohegan tribes, set fire and attacked the Pequot tribe fort near the Mystic River. The attack was due to previous Pequot attacks on English colonists. The colonists and allied Native American tribes slaughtered everyone who was in the fort and shot anyone who tried to escape. Today, this event is considered by many to be mass genocide. -
The Boston Tea Party
American colonists disguised as Mohawk Native Americans raid three British tea ships, dumping loads of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the British tax on tea. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the two battles that started the American Revolutionary War. The British were trying to cease an arms cache of arms used by American Colonists, but were met with resistance in Concord and Lexington. During a stand off, a shot was fired that would affect world history. -
The Declaration of Independence is Signed
56 delegates of the 13 United States colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, announcing their support for leaving Britain and becoming an independent country. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
After Washington and the Continental Army failed to retake Philadelphia in 1777, Washington retreated to Valley Forge for the winter. The Continental Army spent 6 months there, and in that time Washington united an army that was capable of defeating the British. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
After Washington and the Continental Army failed to retake Philadelphia in 1777, Washington retreated to Valley Forge for the winter. The Continental Army spent 6 months there, and in that time Washington united an army that was capable of defeating the British. -
Benedict Arnold turns traitor
During the Revolutionary War, American General Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre about handing over West Point, New York to the British. Benedict wanted a large sum of money and a high rank in the British army in return, but the plan fell through and Benedict Arnold became synonymous with the word traitor. -
Articles of Confederation are Ratified
The United States Continental Congress adopts the Article of Confederation, making it the first constitution on the United States. After the United States had become an independent country, they needed a set of rules to live by. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The last major battle in the American Revolutionary War. George Washington, backed by the French Army, surrounded and defeated General Lord Cornwallis and the British army, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. This major success also cemented Washington as an influential leader, which helped him win the first presidential election. -
The Constitution is Ratified
The Constitution was officially announced the framework of the United States once New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. This was monumental because it was replacing the Articles of Confederation, which had many flaws. This new system established the United State's government system, established laws, and gave everyone basic human rights. -
Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
Held nearly two whole months after he was sworn into office, Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. The Inauguration was held on the balcony of the Federal Hall in New York City. -
Washington's Farewell Adress
After nearly 20 years of service to the United States, Washington wrote a farewell letter near the end of his second term of presidency. He announced his retirement from president and his plans to reside in his Mount Vernon Estate. The letter addressed the nation on what to do next, and gave advice for the future. -
The Death of George Washington
On December 12, after supervising farm activities in the rain and snow, George Washington attained Epiglottitis and fell ill. Washington wrote his own will and asked his secretary to make sure he had a decent burial. His last words were, "Tis well." -
Election Day, 1800
A hard-fought battle between John Adams. Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson won decisively over Adams, making this the first time that power had been handed over peacefully from one political idea to another. -
Marbury vs. Madison
A landmark Supreme Court case that established the idea of judicial review in the United States. This allowed the Supreme Court to strike down some laws and government actions that they deem as violating the Constitution. -
The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
The USS Constitution defeated the HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, around 400 miles from the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The HMS Guerriere had been separated from the rest of it's squadron after a previous failed attempt to capture the Constitution. When the Guerriere encountered the Constitution again, Captain James Richard Dacres decides to attack and ultimately loses the battle. -
The Battle of Baltimore
The Battle of Baltimore was a land and sea battle between the United States and Great Britain during the War of 1812. The United States defended the port of Baltimore and killed the commander of the British forces. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the War of 1812 had officially been ended by a peace treaty signed in Belgium. News traveled slowly however, leading to the United States and Great Britain meeting in New Orleans for a bloody battle. Future president Andrew Jackson led an assault on the British, ultimately winning the battle. Andrew Jackson became a war hero, and the victory halted Great Britain's plans for an invasion of the American frontier. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
After narrowly losing to John Quincy Adams in the 1824 election, Jackson ran again in 1828, decisively defeating Adams and becoming the 7th President of the United States. Jackson became the leader of the new Democratic party, and was a supporter of state's rights and slavery in new western territories. His presidency is tarnished for many due to his role in the Trail of Tears. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion was an uprising of African-American slaves led by Nat Turner is Southampton County, Virginia. This came as a shock to many people in the southern United States, ending the belief that slaves were happy with their lives or were too passive to incite a rebellion. The revolt led to newer oppressive laws towards slaves, but the message left behind was still wide spread. The rebellion led to the death of approximately 55 white citizens, and was a large factor in the Civil War. -
The Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo took place during Texas' war for independence from Mexico. Around 200 Texan volunteer soldiers had occupied the Alamo when a Mexican force in the thousands laid siege to the fort. The Mexican force, led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, eventually took control of the fort after 13 days. For Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of their resistance and struggle for independence. -
Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and California.
The Mexican-American Was was ended with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which added an additional 525,000 square miles to the united States territory. This land included the territories of California, New Mexico, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The treaty also recognized the Rio Grande as America's souther boundary. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was the United States Supreme Court's decision that stated that living in a free state did not entitle an enslaved person to their freedom. In simplicity, the decision stated that as someone else's property, Dred Scott was not a United States citizen and could not sue in court. -
The Dead Rabbits Riot
The Dead Rabbits Riot was a gang war between members of the Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys. What started out as a small-scale street fight, the conflict would spiral into widespread looting and destruction of property from gang members and other criminals from all parts of New York City. The gang war was unsuccessfully stopped by local police many times, and was eventually halted by the New York State Militia. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, becoming the first republican to become president. Abraham Lincoln is most famously know for his monumental role in the Civil War, as well as his efforts to provide better lives for slaves in the United States. -
South Carolina secedes from the United States.
Following the election of Abraham Lincoln, many of the events that would lead to the Civil War happened quickly. South Carolina acted first, calling for state conventions to secede from the Union. Within three months of Lincoln's election, 7 states had seceded from the Union, which would in turn lead to the Civil War. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the American Civil War. 35,000 Union troops attacked a force of 20,000 Confederate troops along a small river named Bull Run. After fighting defensively, the Union troops broke through the Union right flank, making the battle a Confederate victory. -
Emancipation Proclamation
After 3 years of civil war, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that all slaves held in Confederate states were now free, -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. Robert E. Lee marched his army into Pennsylvania, meeting the Union army led by General George G. Meade in the crossroads town of Gettysburg. The Union army won, and the battle became the basis for Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. The 13th Amendment states that slavery or involuntary servitude, unless as punishment for a crime, shall exist in the united states. -
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse marked the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. Lee had abandoned the Confederate capitol of Richmond in hopes of rallying the remaining Confederate troops in North Carolina. Union forces soon caught up with them, fighting a two hour battle, and forced Robert E. Lee to surrender. -
The Ku Klux Klan is Established
The Ku Klux Klan was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, by a group of Confederate veterans. The Klan grew from a small social fraternity to a force bent on reversing the federal government's progressive reconstruction in the South, especially policies that pertained to the African American population. The Ku Klux Klan would perform terrorist raids on African Americans and white republicans at night, using intimidation, assault, destruction of property, and even murder to employ their message. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment granted U.S citizenship to anyone who was born on U.S soil. This included former slaves, and granted all people equal protection of the laws. -
John D. Rockefeller Creates Standard Oil
John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil in 1870. Rockefeller made massive strides in disseminating and reducing the production cost of oil across the country. Rockefeller gained massive influence over the railroad industry, whom transported his oil across the country. At one time, Standard Oil controlled 90% of the oil market in the country. In 1911, the Supreme Court ruled that the company must be disbanded after violating antitrust laws, and the company was split into 34 separate entities. -
The 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment prohibited the federal government and state governments from denying the right to vote based on one's race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Alexander Graham Bell Patents the Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell was inspired by the 1842 invention of the the telegraph to create a device that allowed people to speak to one another from long distances. He called this a "harmonic telegraph", which would combine aspects of a telegraph and a record player. Bell created his first prototype, and delivered the iconic inaugural message on a telephone, "Mr. Watson, come here. I need you." -
Battle of Little Bighorn
The Battle of Little Bighorn was one of the largest battles that took place during the Plains Indian War. The U.S Army, led by Lt. Colonel George Custer, charged into battle with 210 soldiers against thousands of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The U.S Army was severely unnumbered, leading to an all out massacre from the Native Americans.The battle was over in an hour, and marked the largest Native American victory and worst U.S Army loss in the entirety of the war. -
The Great Oklahoma Land Race
Thousands of settlers made a dash to the newly opened Oklahoma territory for their chance to purchase cheap land in the territory. This raised some problems though, as the Oklahoma territory was supposed to be Native American sectioned land. Once the Land Race began, many tribes would unrightfully lose their homes. -
Ellis Island Opens to Process Immigrants
Over the time that Ellis Island was the United States' main immigration station, more than 12 million immigrants were processed and allowed in America. This would forever change the ethnic diversity of our country. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Plessy vs. Ferguson was a historical U.S Supreme Court decision that objectified constitutionality of racial segregation in the United States under the stance of "separate but equal. -
The Sinking of the USS Maine
The USS Maine sank due to an unexplained explosion in Cuba's Havana Harbor, killing 260 American crew members. Some believed that the ship was blown up from a mine belonging to Spain, leading to Congress declaring war on Spain. The war only lasted 3 months, and researchers have said that the explosion was most likely caused from a fire within the ship, not a mine. -
The Wizard of Oz is Published
The Wizard of Oz was one of the most influential and commercially successful books at the turn of the century, influencing many pieces of culture and media all across the world. The book, especially in the United States, represented many things that were important to the people of the nation going into a new century. Dorothy represented the pride and bravery of the nation, the Tin Man represented industry in America, and the Scarecrow represented agriculture in America. -
J.P Morgan Founds U.S Steel
When it was founded, U.S Steel was the largest business enterprise in America. In the company's first year, they made 67% of steel in the country. -
Teddy Roosevelt Becomes President of the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States under short notice after the assassination of William McKinley. Roosevelt would then go on to win the 1904 election on his own terms. Roosevelt was also a conservationist, setting aside nearly 200 million acres for national parks and wildlife refuges across the country. Roosevelt would play a pivotal role in ending the Russo-Japanese War and was responsible for spearheading the construction of the Panama Canal. -
Ford Motor Company is Founded
After leaving Henry Ford Company, which would later become Cadillac Motor Company, Henry Ford founded another automobile company in 1903. In the beginning, Ford would only produce 2-4 cars a day, but as time passed Ford revolutionized the assembly line concept and developed it into what we know today. In 1908, Ford developed the Model T, which would go on to sell millions of units by 1927. -
Ida Tarbell Publishes Her Article About Standard Oil
Ida Tarbell published her expose on Standard Oil, titled "The History of the Standard Oil Company" would shed light onto the corruption of Standard Oil. The expose revealed aggressive techniques that Standard Oil employed to outmaneuver and roll over competing oil companies. Ida Tarbell's expose played a supportive role in the 1911 Supreme Court decision that found Standard Oil in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. -
Angel Island Opens to Process Immigrants
Whereas Ellis Island was the main immigration station for many Europeans, Angel Island in San Fransisco Bay was the main immigration station for many Asians wishing to make it into America. Over one million people came through and were processed at Angel Island. -
The 16th Amendment is Passed
This made it possible to enact a nationwide income tax. This was important in building up the American federal government in the early twentieth century, and became the federal government's largest source of income. -
The 17th Amendment is Passed
The 17th Amendment changed a section of Article I of the US Constitution, making it to where the people of the state would now elect their senators. This was changed from the previous system, where state senators were elected by state legislatures. -
The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
Francis Scott Key wrote a poem titled, "The Defense of Fort M'Henry" after seeing the Baltimore fort be attacked by the British during the Battle of Baltimore. -
The Empire State Building Opens
The Empire State Building was officially opened on May 1, 1931 by President Herbert Hoover, who turned the building's lights on with a ceremonial button press from Washington, D.C. On opening day, the Empire State building was the tallest building in the world, and the first building to reach over 100 floors. Due to these feats, the building became an icon of New York City and of the nation.
