1900-2000 U.S. Events

President McKinley assassinated

Sep 9, 1901

President McKinley was shot twice in Buffalo, New York, while attending an event at the Temple of Music Hall.

The Sinking of the Titanic

Apr 10, 1912

The Titanic strikes an ice berg and sinks in the Northern Atlantic Ocean, taking 1500+ lives.

US Enters WW1

Apr 6, 1917

Congress votes to declare war on Germany.

Influenza Pandemic

1918

The United States lost 675,000 people to the Spanish flu.

The Great Depression

1929

The U.S. economy hits an all time low after a major fall in stock prices.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 4, 1941

Japanese military launches a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

Cold War Begins

Mar 12, 1947

A political rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union

Civil Rights Movement Begins

May 17, 1954

1954 Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education starts the Civil Rights movement, lasting till 1968.

Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Apr 4, 1968

Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee.

U.S. ends direct involvement in Vietnam War

Jan 27, 1973

President Nixon signs the Paris Peace Accords, ending direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Election of Ronald Reagan

Nov 4, 1980

Ronald Reagan of California defeats incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

Launching of Amazon

Jul 5, 1994

Jeff Bezos launches Amazon, becoming the world’s largest online retailer.

Election of George H. W. Bush

Nov 7, 2000

Governor of Texas and eldest son of the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, wins the 2000 election.