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Period: to
America Becoming a World Power
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The Battle of Wounded Knee
This marks the last major battle between US troops and Indians. In this battle, 29 soldiers were slain, along with hundreds of indians. -
Copyright Act of 1891
On this day, the 51st congress passed the Copyright act of 1891, -
Music Hall (Carnegie Hall) Opens
The Music Hall, later known as Carnegie Hall, opened its doors in NYC for its first public performance on this day. -
Strip Motion Picture Film first shown to an audience
On this day. Thomas A. Edison's invention, the Strip Motion Picture Film, was first shown to an audience. (The convention of the National Federation of Women's Clubs) -
Ellis Island Opens
On this day, Ellis Island opened as the main east coast immigration center, replacing Castle Garden in Manhattan. This remained the main immigration center for Europeans until the center's closure in 1954. -
General Electric formed
The forming of the General Electric company was also the merging of the Edison General Electric company and the Thomson-Houston Company. -
Pledge of Allegiance first recited in schools
In order to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Colombus day, the Pledge of Allegiance was first recited in schools on this day. -
Grover Cleveland reelected
In this victory, Cleveland was victorious over opponents Benjaman Harrison and James Weaver. -
1893 Chicago World Columbian Exposition opens
This would later be known as the architectural wonder that many buildings in the US would try to replicate for years to come. In addition to this, this marked the first time a ferris wheel was used by the public. -
Beginning of Financial Panic of 1893
On this day in history, the New York Stock Exchange fell, leading to the Financial Panic of 1893 and a 4 year period of depression. -
Women in Colorado granted right to vote
This was the first day in history where Colorado-residing women were given the right to vote. -
First public viewing of kinetoscope motion picture
This type of motion picture was invented by Thomas Edison seven years prior to its first public viewing. -
Frederick Douglass dies
The abolitionist Frederick Douglass died on this day in his home in Washington D.C. -
First patent for automobile issued
This patent was issued to George B. Selden, who created the two stroke automobile engine. -
First Modern Olympic Games begins
On this day, the first modern Olympic Games began in Athens, Greece. The United States was one of 13 countries who participated. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
On this day, the "seperate but equal" doctrine was approved through the court case of Plessy v. Ferguson. -
William McKinley wins Presidential election
William McKinley won victory over the Democratic & People's Party candidate William J. Bryan on this day. -
Klondike Gold Rush begins
The arrival of gold prospectors in Seattle marked the beginning of this gold rush. -
First North American underground transportation opens.
On this day, the first form of underground transportation in North America opened in Boston, Massachusetes, ushering in the era of the subway. -
USS Maine explodes
On this day, the United States battleship Maine exploded, and later sunk, killing over 200. -
Blockade of Cuba begins
Several days after this blockade began, the United States declared war on Spain. -
Hawaii Annexed
Hawaii, which would later become the 50th state, was annexed on this day. -
Spanish-American War ends
A peace treaty ending the Spanish-American war was signed in Paris on this day in history. In this treaty, the Spanish government agreed to grant independence to Cuba. Along with this, the Spanish government was to grant the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. -
Open Door Policy declared with China
The Open Door Policy began in 1899 regarding China. This was done in an attempt to retain the integrity of China, in addition to opening international markets. -
Gold Standard Act Ratified
The ratification of this act ensured that paper currency could be freely redeemed in gold. -
William McKinley wins 2nd term
In this reelection, President William McKinley once again beat opponent William J. Bryan. Theodore Roosevelt became the Vice President in this election. -
First major oil discovery
This oil discovery occured at Spindletop in Beaumont, Texas. -
Major League Baseball created
Following its first season as a minor league, Major League Baseball was created with 8 teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. -
President William McKinley shot
President McKinley was shot at the Pan-American exposition in Buffalo, New York. He would later pass due to the gunshot wounds, causing his Vice President Theodore Roosevelt to take the Presidential office. -
Theodore Roosevelt takes office
On this day, President William McKinley passed due to the gunshot wounds from a week earlier. This caused his Vice President Theodore Roosevelt to take the Presidential office. -
First American Movie Theatre Opens
The Electric Theatre opened on this day in Los Angeles, California. -
Cuba gains Independence
On this day, America gave the island of Cuba independence, whom was formerly given to America through the treaty that ended the Spanish-American war. -
First cross-counrty automoblile trip completed
This trip began in New York on May 23rd, and ended in San Francisco on this day in 1903. -
First Successful Flight
WIlbur and Orville Wright successfuly sustained flight on this day in Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina, first flying for 12 seconds and then for 59 seconds. -
Theodore Roosevelt wins election
Theodore Roosevelt was elected president in November of 1904, after formerly serving 3 years due to the death of President William McKinley. In this election, Roosevelt was victorious over opponent Alton B. Parker. -
Las Vegas created
The city of Las Vegas, located in the state of Nevada, was created on this day, due to a sale of 110 acres. -
Protection granted to Indian ruins/national landmarks
President Theodore Roosevelt granted protection to Indian ruins on this day, in addition to allowing lands with significant historical or scientific features to be deemed as national landmarks. -
Pure Food & Drug Act
On this day, the Pure Food & Drug Act was passed, in addition to the Meat Inspection act. -
Charles Curtis takes office as Kansas Senator
This day marked the first time a Native American senator took office. -
Financial Panic and Depression of 1907
This day marked the beginning of the Financial Panic and Depression of 1907. -
First Passenger Flight
This flight took place at Huffman Prarie Flying Field in Dayton, Ohio. -
First Model T built
The Model T, which would later become a wildly popular model of an automobile, was first built on this day at the Ford production plant in Detroit, Michigan. -
William Howard Taft Elected as President
In this election, William Howard Taft won election over opponent William Jennings Bryan, who had been defeated 3 times by this election. -
US Troops leave Cuba
On this day, United States left Cuba for the first time since the beginning of the Spanish American War. -
National Conference of the Negro conducted
This conference led to the creation of the NAACP, the National Asociation for the Advancement of Colored People. -
Boy Scouts Founded
The Boy Scouts of America were founded on this day. -
Standard Oil declared a monopoly
Due to the Sherman Anti-Trust act, Standard Oil was ordered to be dissolved on this day due to it being an unreasonable monopoly. -
Number of Represenatives Established
The number of US represenatives was established at 435 on this day. -
Automotive Transmission Patented
Henry Ford patented the Automotive Transmission on this day, almost ensuring the success of the Ford company. Over 100 years later, the Ford company is still thriving, much due to this patent. -
American Girl Guides Created
Not too long after the creation of the Boy Scouts, The American Girl Guides, who would later be renamed the Girl Scouts, were created. -
Marines issued to Nicaragua
The US Marines were sent to Nicaragua due to US loans and European allies. -
Woodrow Wilson elected President
Woodrow Wilson won this presidential election, becoming the first democratic candidate to win election since 1892. -
16th Amendment Ratified
This amendment allowed the federal government to impose income taxes. -
17th Amendment Ratified
This amendment allowed for the direct election of senators. -
Panama Canal Completed
The construction of the Panama Canal was completed on this day. -
Moving Assembly Line Created
The moving assembly line was created and first used by the Ford Motor company, allowing for mass production and lowering prices. -
Neutrality Declared by President Wilson
On this day, President Woodrow Wilson announced that America would take a stance of neutrality regarding the European Conflict/World War I. -
Coast Guard Established
The Coast Guard replaced the U.S. Life-Saving Services on this day. -
USS Lustania sank
On this day, the USS Lustania was sunk by a German submarine, causing the death of 128 Americans. This was one of the many reasons that the supposed "neutrality" of America was often interpreted as favoring the Allies. -
PresidentWoodrow Wilson Reelected
President Woodrow Wilson won reelection over opponent Charles E. Hughes in this election. -
Diplomatic ties cut with Germany
On this day, America cut all diplomatic ties with Germany, leading up to the conflict with the Zimmerman Telegram which would occur in the same month. -
Zimmerman Telegram Discovered
The discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram, which promised Mexico the southwest United States from Germany if they declared war on the United States, was a major reason that the US eventually entered the war. -
US enters World War I
On this day, the United States declared war on Germany, and with that, entered World War I on the side of the Allies. -
18th Amendment Passed
The 18th Amendment prohibited the sell of alcohol in the United States, ushering in the age of prohibition. -
Troop Size Reaches 1 Million
By July of 1918, the amount of United States soldiers in Europe had reached over 1 million. -
World War I ends
World War I ends on this day with an Allies victory due to armistice.
