-
Thomas Jefferson was elected as the third president of the United States (he serves two terms).
-
The United States agreed to pay France for the Louisiana territory, resulting in the U.S. doubling its size.
-
Lewis and Clark set out on their expedition to explore what would be part of the westward expansion and to find a route to the Pacific Ocean.
-
James Madison was elected as the fourth president of the United States (he serves two terms).
-
The War of 1812, lasting until 1814, was declared against Britain by the U.S over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion.
-
Francis Scott Key, who was taken captive on a French ship, wrote the poem, "Star Spangled Banner", while watching the battle of Fort McHenry at Baltimore.
-
The Treaty of Ghent is signed, ending the war.
-
James Monroe is elected as the fifth president of the United States.
-
In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine is admitted as a free state so that Missouri can be admitted as a slave state.
-
The Erie Canal, linking the Hudson and Erie River, was opened for traffic.
-
John Quincy Adams is elected as the sixth president of the United States.
-
Andrew Jackson was elected the seventh president of the United States.
-
Texas declares its independence from Mexico.
-
William Henry Harrison was elected as the eighth president of the United States
-
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. The gold rush reaches its height the following year.
-
U.S. declares war on Mexico in effort to gain California and other territory in Southwest. Ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.