20th Century Timeline

  • Harlem Renaissance

    Black artists, writers, and musicians blew up in Harlem and changed American culture. It got people talking about race and identity in a new way.
  • FDR’s New Deal

    Roosevelt rolled out a bunch of programs to help people survive the Great Depression. It made the government a way bigger part of everyday life.
  • U.S. Enters World War II

    After Pearl Harbor, the U.S. jumped into the war. It completely rebooted the economy and helped turn America into a global powerhouse.
  • United Nations Created

    Countries teamed up to try to stop future wars. The U.S. basically became the main leader in it.
  • Suburbs Take Over

    Veterans got benefits for homes and college, and tons of families moved to the suburbs. Cars, highways, and the whole “1950s family life” vibe exploded.
  • Korean War

    The U.S. fought to stop communism from spreading in Korea. It ended with no clear winner and made the Cold War even more tense.
  • Civil Rights Act

    Finally banned legal segregation and discrimination. Massive win for civil rights activists.
  • Vietnam War Escalation

    The U.S. sent way more troops to stop communism in Vietnam. The whole thing became super unpopular and sparked huge protests.
  • Watergate Scandal

    Nixon got caught trying to cover up political crimes and ended up resigning. People’s trust in the government tanked.
  • Personal Computers Rise

    Early Apple and IBM computers started showing up in homes. This is where modern tech life really kicked off.
  • Reaganomics

    Reagan pushed tax cuts and less regulation, claiming it would boost the economy. Some loved it, some said it made the rich richer.
  • Internet Goes Mainstream

    The web blew up and changed how people learned, talked, and did business.
  • End of Cold War

    The Soviet Union collapsed and the U.S. came out as the main superpower. Global politics got way less tense (for a bit).
  • 9/11 Attacks

    Terrorists attacked the U.S., killing almost 3,000 people. It completely changed U.S. security, travel, and foreign policy.
  • War in Iraq

    The U.S. invaded Iraq, saying it had dangerous weapons. It didn’t, and the war ended up causing long-term problems.
  • Barack Obama Elected

    Obama became the first Black president. He focused on healthcare reform and fixing the economy after the recession.
  • Rise of Social Media

    Apps like Instagram and Twitter became a huge part of everyday life. They changed politics, entertainment, and news.
  • COVID-19 Pandemic

    The world shut down, schools went online, and everything got chaotic. It caused tons of debates over health rules and the government’s response.
  • Capitol Attack

    A mob stormed the Capitol trying to overturn the election. It showed just how divided the country had become.