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Slave Revolt
Gabriel Prosser, an enslaved African American blacksmith, organizes a slave revolt intending to march on Richmond, Virginia. The conspiracy is uncovered, and Prosser and a number of the rebels are hanged. Virginia's slave laws are consequently tightened. -
Washington New U.S. Capital
The U.S. capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. -
First Congress Meet in Washington
U.S. Congress meets in Washington, DC, for the first time. -
Thomas Jefferson Becomes 3rd President
Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated as the third president in Washington, DC. -
Marbury v. Madison
Landmark Supreme Court decision greatly expands the power of the Court by establishing its right to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States agrees to pay France $15 million for the Louisiana Territory, which extends west from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and comprises about 830,000 sq mi. As a result, the U.S. nearly doubles in size. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark set out from St. Louis, Mo., on an expedition to explore the West and find a route to the Pacific Ocean. -
Jefferson's Second Inauguration
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Lewis and Clark Reach the Pacific Ocean
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The War of 1812
The U.S. declares war on Britain over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion -
Fire Attack on White House
British capture Washington, DC, and set fire to White House and Capitol. -
Star-Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key writes Star-Spangled Banner as he watches British attack on Fort McHenry at Baltimore. -
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty of Ghent is signed, officially ending the war. -
James Monroe as Fifth President
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McCulloch v. Maryland
Landmark Supreme Court decision upholds the right of Congress to establish a national bank, a power implied but not specifically enumerated by the Constitution -
Spain agrees to cede Florida to the United States
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Missouri Compromise
In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts) is admitted as a free state so that Missouri can be admitted as a slave state; except for Missouri, slavery is prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase lands north of latitude 36°30' -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution. -
Monroe Doctrine
In his annual address to Congress, President Monroe declares that the American continents are henceforth off-limits for further colonization by European powers. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Landmark Supreme Court decision broadly defines Congress's right to regulate interstate commerce -
John Quincy Adams Becomes Sixth President
John Quincy Adams is inaugurated as the sixth president -
U.S. Constitution Spreads
U.S. Constitution goes into effect, having been ratified by nine states -
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Construction is begun on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the first public railroad in the U.S. -
Andrew Jackson Becomes Seventh President
Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as the seventh president. -
Indian Removal Act
President Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which authorizes the forced removal of Native Americans living in the eastern part of the country to lands west of the Mississippi River. -
Nat Turner
Nat Turner, an enslaved African American preacher, leads the most significant slave uprising in American history. He and his band of about 80 followers launch a bloody, day-long rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia. The militia quells the rebellion, and Turner is eventually hanged. As a consequence, Virginia institutes much stricter slave laws. -
The Liberator
William Lloyd Garrison begins publishing the Liberator, a weekly paper that advocates the complete abolition of slavery. He becomes one of the most famous figures in the abolitionist movement. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin greatly increases the demand for slave labor. -
The Alamo
Texan defenders of the Alamo are all killed during siege by the Mexican Army -
Texas Declares Independence from Mexico
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Texans Defeat Mexicans at San Jacinto
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Martin Van Buren Becomes Eighth President
Martin Van Buren is inaugurated as the eighth president -
Trail of Tears
More than 15,000 Cherokee Indians are forced to march from Georgia to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Approximately 4,000 die from starvation and disease along the “Trail of Tears.” -
William Henry Harrison Becomes Ninth President
William Henry Harrison is inaugurated as the ninth president. -
William Henry Harrison Dies
He dies one month later and is succeeded in office by his vice president, John Tyler -
Manifest Destiny
The term “manifest destiny” appears for the first time in a magazine article by John L. O'Sullivan. It expresses the belief held by many white Americans that the United States is destined to expand across the continent. -
James Polk becomes 11th President
James Polk is inaugurated as the 11th president -
The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso, introduced by Democratic representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, attempts to ban slavery in territory gained in the Mexican War The proviso is blocked by Southerners but continues to enflame the debate over slavery -
The Mexican War
The U.S. declares war on Mexico in an effort to gain California and another territory in Southwest. -
Oregon Treaty
Oregon Treaty fixes the U.S.-Canadian border at 49th parallel; the U.S. acquires Oregon territory. -
Mexico and Texas Boundaries
Mexico recognizes Rio Grande as new boundary with Texas and, for $15 million, agrees to cede territory comprising present-day California, Nevada, Utah, most of New Mexico and Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. -
Gold Rush
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. The gold rush reaches its height the following year. -
End of Mexican War
War concludes with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery and becomes one of the most effective and celebrated members of the Underground Railroad. -
Zachary Taylor Becomes the 12th President
Zachary Taylor is inaugurated as the 12th president. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe
U.S. abolitionist and writer Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896) publishes Uncle Tom’s Cabin as a book and sells 300,000 copies in its first year. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act breaks the previous compromises over slavery. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected
Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest and most remembered presidents of America, was elected on this day. His election spurred on the most brutal and deadliest war in American history. Soon after he was elected, South Carolina seceded from the Union and was then followed by the Civil War -
Civil War
Civil War begins -
Confederate Sates
The Confederate States left America -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery -
Civil War Ends
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Abraham Lincoln is Assassinated
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Ulysses S. Grant Becomes President
A hero of the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) becomes president of the United States -
Yellowstone Park
President U.S. Grant establishes Yellowstone Park as the first National Park. -
Alexander Graham Bell Invents Telephone
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Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893) wins the hotly contested 1876 presidential election, although not the popular vote.
