-
Thomas Edison invents the lightbulb
American inventor Thomas Edison is credited for the creation and patent for the invention of the lightbulb, which revolutionized American way of life. -
Period: to
Chester A. Arthur is president of the United States
-
President James A. Garfield assassinated
President Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, was shot by Charles Guiteau on July 2, 1881, in the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C. He died six weeks later on September 19, 1881. -
Signing of Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act, signed by President Arthur, prohibited the immigration of any Chinese laborer to the United States, under the pretense that although they made good laborers, they were poor citizens and did not have a place in the United States. -
Period: to
Grover Cleveland President of the United States
-
Founding of the American Federation of Labor
One of the first national American trade unions, the American Federation of Labor, was founded strictly for skilled laborers. The organization focused around changing the economic structure to provide better work conditions for laborers. -
Haymarket Riot
During a labor rally at Haymarket Square in Chicago, a protester turned the rally into a riot when they threw a bomb at the police. Eight people died, and it contributed to the decline of the Knights of Labor. -
Dawes Severalty Act
The Dawes Act was passed to regulate tribal territories by the government, and allowed the government to allot tribal land to Native individuals. The Act was meant to diminish the amount of tribes, and make Natives be more like white farmers. -
Period: to
Pullman Strike
The Pullman Strike was a nationwide railroad strike against the Pullman Company, who had been cutting the wages of workers, yet continued their long work days. This strike greatly disrupted traffic and caused ensuing riots. -
McKinley President
William McKinley is elected the President of the United States, winning over Populist party opponent Bryan and allowing more power for the Republican Party. -
Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court Rule
The case Plessy v. Ferguson was ruled by the Supreme Court, and allowed for the continuation of racism under the idea of "separate but equal" doctrine. Blacks were supposedly equal to whites, but the two spheres of life were completely separate. This court case allowed for the continuation of segregation. -
Period: to
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain started over effects of Cuba's fight for independence of Spain and the sinking of the USS Maine. It ended in a United States victory, and allowed for its emergence as a world power. -
Annexation of Hawaii
On July 12, 1898, Hawaii was annexed into the United States following the passing of the Newlands Resolution. -
Signing of the Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War, was signed. Spain gave Guam and Puerto Rice to the United States, renounced their claims to Cuba, and also gave the United States claim over the Philippines.