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Segregation is ruled constitutional.
In the case of Plessy v. Ferguson, segregation between white and blacks was ruled constitutional. The Supreme Court found that segregation was fair as long as the segregated parties were in possession of equal resources. -
Dracula!
Bram Stroker, an Irish author, publishes the monumental novel Dracula. This book showed the introduction of Count Dracula. The book was praised as a literary work of art. It still receives great reviews today. -
The Spanish-American War begins.
After intervening in the Cuban War of Independence, the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana, Cuba sparked a fire between Cuba and The U.S. This war showed unity within the U.S., with blacks and whites fighting together against a common enemy. The war ended on August 12, 1898. -
The Treaty of Paris is ratified.
This treaty removed Spanish rule from the United States area. This allowed the U.S. to have colonial rule over their land. Spain also gave up sovereignty over Cuba after this treaty was ratified. -
Quantum theory
Max Planck, a German physicist formulated an energy theory. This theory believed in the existence of quanta. Planck's work was the beginning of Quantum Theory. -
U.S. Steel Company is organized.
This company is now the world's tenth largest steel producer. It was formed through the combination of Andrew Carnegie's Carnegie Steel Company and National Steel Company. The company offered low wages and was against unions. -
Miners strike against owners.
The United Mine Workers begin to strike against the coal mine operators. The workers were seeking higher wages and shorter work days, like many other laborers of their time. The government had to show involvement to end the strike. President Theodore Roosevelt intervened and ended it. -
Newlands Reclamation Act
This is a federal law which funded irrigation projects in 20 states of the American West. This act led to the damming of almost every major Western river. The Department of the Interior later created the United States Bureau of Reclamation because of this act. -
Wizard of Oz premieres on Broadway.
This 1902 show from Chicago moved to New York in 1903. The show had 293 performances over three years on Broadway. Following the shows, the cast also toured. The musical was re-mastered as the classic 1939 film we all know and love. -
Wright Brothers take flight.
In Kittyhawk, North Carolina, two ambitious brothers set out to change the world. Together, they created the first powered aircraft. And on this day, they flew for 12 seconds. This event paved the way for air travel. -
The Entente Cordiale
The Entente Cordiale were agreements between the U.K. and French Republic. Following these agreements were the Anglo-Russian Entente and the Franco-Russian Alliance. All three of these led to the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente was a WWI alliance composed of Russia, the U.K., and France. -
International Workers of the World.
The International Workers of the World (IWW) is formed in Chicago. This meeting is viewed as the Continental Congress of the working class. The IWW disregarded occupation, race, and sex, and allowed anyone to join. -
The Jungle is published.
The Jungle is published by Upton Sinclair. The book details the conditions of the meatpacking industry in Chicago. Through this, he was seeking sympathy for the working class by telling of what they endure. Instead it brought public concern to the safety of their food. -
The Great San Francisco Earthquake
At 5:12 a.m., a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck San Francisco, California. This earthquake is remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in history. The death toll is estimated to be over 3,000 people. The effect on the economy from the earthquake can be compared to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. -
Oklahoma!
The 46th state of the United States is admitted. This state became a central point to the newly developing oil industry. Oklahoma also produces other elements, such as helium, zinc and copper. Its plains are a prime area for wheat growth as well. -
The Horror Begins..
The first horror movie premiers in Chicago. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells the tale of a normal man who takes a potion which turns him into a homicidal person. The movie was 16 minutes long. It was a black and white silent film. -
North Pole is reached.
Robert Peary and Matthew Hensen become the first explorers to reach the North Pole. To this day, this claim is still doubted. Henson, Peary's assistant, was an African American explorer. Without Henson's help, Peary would have never completed his journey. -
The Pittsburgh Courier begins publishing.
Pittsburgh Courier, an American newspaper published in Pittsburgh begins publishing. At one time, it was the country's most popular black newspaper. This newspaper rose along with the civil rights movement. Its publishing ended in 1965. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy.
146 immigrant women are killed. A fire caused this accidental loss of life. It was the largest industrial accident in NYC history. It is also the fourth largest in U.S. history. -
RMS Titanic sinks.
The RMS Titanic began its maiden voyage on April 14th, 1912. While traveling from Southampton, England, to New York City, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. This iceberg caused the death of 1,517 people. It is one of the deadliest maritime disasters in world history. -
The 16th amendment is created.
The 16th amendment was ratified on February 3rd, 1913. This amendment allowed Congress to give an income tax without looking at Census results or apportioning to the states. It is ratified by 42 states. -
Federal Reserve established.
Created from the Federal Reserve Act in response to multiple financial panics. The Federal Reserve System controls the nation's currency and credit. The Reserve System also supervises banks, provides financial services, and does research on the United States economy routinely. -
The Road to World War One.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, an Austo-Hungarian heir is assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. This event was the beginning of the events leading up to World War One. German, French, Russian, and Austo-Hungarian armies all mobilized. Under the Secret Treaty of 1892, the sides were picked and the war began. -
Czar Nicholas II
Czar Nicolaas II takes control of the Russian Army. He approved the mobilization of Russia's army during World War One. In this, he faced great criticism because over 3.3 million Russians were killed in WWI. The negative Russian involvement in this war led to the dismantling of the Romanov dynasty. -
Adamson Eight Hour Act
U.S federal law passed in 1916 that gave an eight hour workday to railroad workers. It also provided overtime compensation. This act was created to prevent railroad strikes. The success of railroad unions inspired other industrial unions to persist in their efforts. It was named after Georgia rep. William Adamson. -
United States Declares War.
The United States declares war on the central powers. This shows the U.S. concern in world affairs. As Germany progressed in a western campaign, the United States pushed back their efforts. German agreed to a cease fire on November 11, 1917. -
Military Draft.
The United States initiated a military draft. Any man from age 21 to 30 was required to register. The draft was passed by congress as the Selective Service Act. The act was cancelled when the war ended in November of 1918. -
Prohibition!
Mississippi becomes the first state to ratify the eighteenth amendment. The eighteenth amendment made "intoxicating liquours" illegal in the United States. While illegal, demand for such products still existed. This amendment was later repealed in 1933 by the 21st amendment. -
World War One ends.
The end of World War One is marked by this day. The Versailles Peace Treaty punishes Germany for its actions by stripping its land of resources. Germany was also forced to greatly lower the size of their military and navy. Finally, reparations were desired totaling 32 billion dollars. -
Suffering Over Suffrage ends.
The nineteenth amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified. This amendment probhibited any U.S. citizen being denied the right to vote based on sex. Led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton, this marked the end of the Women's Suffrage Movement.
