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Jamertown
Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, is established by the London Company in southeast Virginia. -
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American History
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The House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses, the first representative assembly in America, meets for the first time in Virginia. The first African slaves are brought to Jamestown. -
The Plymouth Colony
The Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts is established by Pilgrims from England. Before disembarking from their ship, the Mayflower, 41 male passengers sign the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that forms the basis of the colony's government. -
Population
Colonial population is estimated at 50,400. -
New Amsterdam
English seize New Amsterdam (city and colony) from the Dutch and rename it New York. -
British Calendar
Britain and the British colonies switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. -
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French and Indian War
French and Indian War: Final conflict in the ongoing struggle between the British and French for control of eastern North America. The British win a decisive victory over the French on thePlains of Abrahamoutside Quebec (Sept. 13, 1759) and, by theTreaty of Paris(signed Feb. 10, 1763), formally gain control of Canada and all the French possessions east of the Mississippi. -
Moston Massacre
British troops fire into a mob, killing five men and leading to intense public protests (March 5). -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party:Group of colonial patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians board three ships in Boston harbor and dump more than 300 crates of tea overboard as a protest against theBritish tea tax(Dec. 16). -
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First Continental Congress meets Together
First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, with 56 delegates representing every colony except Georgia. Delegates includePatrick Henry,George Washington, andSamuel Adams (Sept. 5–Oct. 26). -
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American Revolution
American Revolution: War of independence fought between Great Britain and the 13 British colonies on the eastern seaboard of North America. Battles of Lexington and Concord, Mass., between the British Army and colonial minutemen, mark the beginning of the war (April 19, 1775). Battle-weary and destitute Continental army spends brutally cold winter and following spring atValley Forge, Pa. (Dec. 19, 1777–June 19, 1778). British generalCharles Cornwallissurrenders toGen. George WashingtonatYor -
Declaration of Independence
Continental Congress adopts theDeclaration of Independence in Philadelphia. -
First American Flag
Continental Congress approves the first officialflagof the United States. -
The U.S. Constitution
Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution. -
Draft of the U.S. Constitution
Constitutional Convention, made up of delegates from 12 of the original 13 colonies, meets in Philadelphia to draft the U.S. Constitution(May–Sept.). -
George Washington Voted President
George Washington is unanimously elected president of the United States in a vote by state electors (Feb. 4). U.S. Constitution goes into effect, having beenratifiedby nine states (March 4). U.S. Congress (Web:clerkweb.house.gov/histrecs/househis/lists/sessions.htm) meets for the first time at Federal Hall in New York City (March 4). Washington is inaugurated as president at Federal Hall in New York City (April 30). -
Shays's Rebellion
Shays's Rebellion erupts; farmers from New Hampshire to South Carolina take up arms to protest high state taxes and stiff penalties for failure to pay. -
U.S. Supreme Court Meets
U.S. Supreme Court meets for the first time at the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City (Feb. 2). The court, made up of one chief justice and five associate justices, hears its first case in 1792. The nation's first census shows that the population has climbed to nearly 4 million. -
Bill of Rights are Ratified
First ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, are ratified. -
Washington Gets Voted for again
Washington's second inauguration is held in Philadelphia. Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin greatly increases the demand for slave labor. -
John Adams Becomes 2nd President
John Adamsis inaugurated as the second president in Philadelphia. -
Washington Becomes Nation's Capitol
The U.S. capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC (June 15). U.S. Congress meets in Washington, DC, for the first time (Nov. 17). Gabriel Prosser, an enslaved African American blacksmith, organizes a slave revolt intending to march on Richmond, Virginia. The conspiracy is uncovered, and Prosser and a number of the rebels are hanged. Virginia's slave laws are consequently tightened -
Thomas Jefferson Becomes 3rd President
Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated as the third president in Washington, DC. -
Marbury vs. Madison
Marbury v. Madison: Landmark Supreme Court decision greatly expands the power of the Court by establishing its right to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional (Feb. 24). Louisiana Purchase: United States agrees to pay France $15 million for the Louisiana Territory, which extends west from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and comprises about 830,000 sq mi (treaty signed May 2). As a result, the U.S. nearly doubles in size. -
Lewis and Clark expodition
Lewis and Clark set out from St. Louis, Mo., on expedition to explore the West and find a route to the Pacific Ocean. -
Jefferson's 2nd Term
Jefferson's second inauguration (March 4). Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean (Nov. 15). -
James Madison- 4th President
James Madison is inaugurated as the fourth president. -
War of 1812
War of 1812: U.S. declares war on Britain over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion. -
Madison's 2nd Term
Madison's second inauguration. -
Britsh Attack!
British capture Washington, DC, and set fire to White House and Capitol (Aug. 1814) -
Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key writes Star-Spangled Banner as he watches British attack on Fort McHenry at Baltimore (Sept. 13–14). -
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty of Ghent is signed, officially ending the war. -
James Monroe
James Monroe is inaugurated as the fifth president. -
Florida is U.S. Land!
Spain agrees to cede Florida to the United States (Feb. 22) -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri Compromise: In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts) is admitted as a free state so that Missouri can be admitted as a slave state; except for Missouri, slavery is prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase lands north of latitude 36°30'. -
Monroe's 2nd Term
Monroe's second inauguration. -
Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey, an enslaved African American carpenter who had purchased his freedom, plans a slave revolt with the intent to lay siege on Charleston, South Carolina. The plot is discovered, and Vesey and 34 coconspirators are hanged. -
Monroe Doctrine
In his annual address to Congress, President Monroe declares that the American continents are henceforth off-limits for further colonization by European powers. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
Gibbons v. Ogden: Landmark Supreme Court decision broadly defines Congress's right to regulate interstate commerce. -
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams is inaugurated as the sixth president. -
Erie Canal is open for business!
Erie Canal, linking the Hudson River to Lake Erie, is opened for traffic. -
Railroads have begun!
Construction is begun on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the first public railroad in the U.S. -
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as seventh president. -
Indian Romoval Act
President Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which authorizes the forced removal of Native Americans living in the eastern part of the country to lands west of the Mississippi River. By the late 1830s the Jackson administration has relocated nearly 50,000 Native Americans. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner, an enslaved African American preacher, leads the most significant slave uprising in American history. He and his band of about 80 followers launch a bloody, day-long rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia. The militia quells the rebellion, and Turner is eventually hanged. As a consequence, Virginia institutes much stricter slave laws. -
William Lloyd Garrison's Paper
William Lloyd Garrison begins publishing the Liberator, a weekly paper that advocates the complete abolition of slavery. He becomes one of the most famous figures in the abolitionist movement. -
Jackson's 2nd Term
Jackson's second inauguration. -
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Texas Declares Independence From Mexico
Texas declares its independence from Mexico (March 1). Texan defenders of the Alamo are all killed during siege by the Mexican Army (Feb. 24–March 6). Texans defeat Mexicans at San Jacinto (April 21). -
Martin Van Buren is 8th President
Martin Van Buren is inaugurated as the eighth president (March 4). -
Trail of Tears
More than 15,000 Cherokee Indians are forced to march from Georgia to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Approximately 4,000 die from starvation and disease along the “Trail of Tears.” -
William Henry Harrison Dies as 9th President
William Henry Harrison is inaugurated as the ninth president. He dies one month later (April 4) and is succeeded in office by his vice president, John Tyler. -
US adds Texas
U.S. annexes Texas by joint resolution of Congress. -
James Polk is 11th President
James Polk is inaugurated as the 11th president. -
Manifest Destiny
The term “manifest destiny” appears for the first time in a magazine article by John L. O'Sullivan (July–August). It expresses the belief held by many white Americans that the United States is destined to expand across the continent. -
Mexican War
U.S. declares war on Mexico in effort to gain California and other territory in Southwest. -
Oregon Treaty
Oregon Treaty fixes U.S.-Canadian border at 49th parallel; U.S. acquires Oregon territory. -
The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso, introduced by Democratic representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, attempts to ban slavery in territory gained in the Mexican War The proviso is blocked by Southerners, but continues to enflame the debate over slavery. -
Gold Rush in California
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California; gold rush reaches its height the following year. -
Treaty of Guadalupe
War concludes with signing of Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico recognizes Rio Grande as new boundary with Texas and, for $15 million, agrees to cede territory comprising present-day California, Nevada, Utah, most of New Mexico and Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. -
Women's Rights Convention
Women's rights convention is held at Seneca Falls, N.Y. -
Zachary Taylor is 12th President
Zachary Taylor is inaugurated as the 12th president. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery and becomes one of the most effective and celebrated members of the Underground Railroad. -
Taylor Dies, Millard Fillmore is 13th President
President Taylor dies (July 9) and is succeeded by his vice president, Millard Fillmore. -
Compromise of 1850
The continuing debate whether territory gained in the Mexican War should be open to slavery is decided in the Compromise of 1850: California is admitted as a free state, Utah and New Mexico territories are left to be decided by popular sovereignty, and the slave trade in Washington, DC, is prohibited. It also establishes a much stricter fugitive slave law, than the original, passed in 1793. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin is published. It becomes one of the most influential works to stir anti-slavery sentiments. -
Franklin Pierce is 14th President
Franklin Pierce is inaugurated as the 14th president. -
Gasden Purchase Treaty
Gadsden Purchase treaty is signed; U.S. acquires border territory from Mexico for $10 million. -
Kansas- Nebraska Act
Congress passes the Kansas-Nebraska Act, establishing the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The legislation repeals the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and renews tensions between anti- and proslavery factions. -
James Buchanan is 15th President
James Buchanan is inaugurated as the 15th president (March 4). Dred Scott v. Sanford: Landmark Supreme Court decision holds that Congress does not have the right to ban slavery in states and, furthermore, that slaves are not citizens. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes National Attention
Abraham Lincoln comes to national attention in a series of seven debates with Sen. Stephen A. Douglas during Illinois state election campaign (Aug.–Oct.). -
John Brown Attempt to Start a Slave Revolt
Abolitionist John Brown and 21 followers capture federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Va. (now W. Va.), in an attempt to spark a slave revolt. -
Abraham Lincoln is 16th President
Abraham Lincoln is elected president. -
South Carolina WIthdrawls from the Union
South Carolina secedes from the Union. -
More Secede from Union
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana secede. -
Texas Secedes from Union
Texas secedes. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th president. -
More States Secede
Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee secede (April–June). -
Civil War Starts
Civil War: Conflict between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy) over the expansion of slavery into western states. Confederates attack Ft. Sumter in Charleston, S.C., marking the start of the war. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation Proclamation is issued, freeing slaves in the Confederate states. -
Homestead Act
Homestead Act becomes law, allowing settlers to claim land (160 acres) after they have lived on it for five years. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg is fought. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address. -
Lincoln's 2nd Term
Lincoln's second inauguration. -
General Ulysses S. Grant captures Richmond, VA
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant captures Richmond, Va., the capital of the Confederacy. -
Lincoln is Assassinated
Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Washington, DC, and is succeeded by his vice president, Andrew Johnson. -
Thirteenth Amendment
Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, prohibiting slavery. -
Alaska is Added after $7.2 million
U.S. acquires Alaska from Russia for the sum of $7.2 million (treaty concluded March 30). -
President Johnson is Impeached
President Johnson is impeached by the House of Representatives (Feb. 24 -
14th Amendment is Ratified
Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, defining citizenship (July 9). -
Ulysses S. Grant is 18th President
Ulysses S. Grant is inaugurated as the 18th president (March 4) -
First Transcontinental Railroad
Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads are joined at Promontory, Utah, creating first transcontinental railroad (May 10) -
15th Amendment is Ratified for Blacks to Vote
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, giving blacks the right to vote (Feb. 3). -
Chicago Fire
Chicago fire kills 300 and leaves 90,000 people homeless. -
Crédit Mobilier Scendal
Crédit Mobilier scandal breaks, involving several members of Congress. -
Grant's 2nd Term
Grant's second inauguration (March 4). -
Sioux Indians Attaack
Lt. Col. George A. Custer's regiment is wiped out by Sioux Indians under Sitting Bull at the Little Big Horn River, Mont. -
The First Telephone is Invented
The first telephone line is built from Boston to Somerville, Mass.; the following year, President Hayes has the first telephone installed in the White House. -
Rutherford B. Hayes is 19th President
Rutherford B. Hayes is inaugurated as the 19th president. -
James A. Garfield is shot
He is shot by Charles Guiteau in Washington, DC. -
Garfield dies. Chester Alan Arthur is 21st President
He later dies from complications of his wounds in Elberon, N.J. Garfield's vice president, Chester Alan Arthur, succeeds him in office. -
Standard Time
U.S. adopts standard time. -
Grover Cleveland is 22nd President
Grover Cleveland is inaugurated as the 22nd president. -
Statue os Liberty
Statue of Liberty is dedicated. -
American Federation of Labor is Founded
. American Federation of Labor is organized (Dec.). -
Benjamin Harrison is 23rd President
Benjamin Harrison is inaugurated as the 23rd president. -
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is opened to settlers. -
NAWSA is Founded
National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) is founded, with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as president. Sherman Antitrust Act is signed into law, prohibiting commercial monopolies. -
Wounded Knee
Last major battle of the Indian Wars occurs at Wounded Knee in South Dakota. -
Ellis Island
Ellis Island becomes chief immigration station of the U.S. -
Grover Cleveland is 24th President
Grover Cleveland is inaugurated a second time, as the 24th president. He is the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms. -
Racial Segregation
Plessy v. Ferguson: Landmark Supreme Court decision holds that racial segregation is constitutional, paving the way for the repressive Jim Crow laws in the South. -
William McKinley is 25th President
William McKinley is inaugurated as the 25th president. -
Spanish- American War
Spanish-American War: USS Maine is blown up in Havana harbor. -
US Declares War
Prompting U.S. to declare war on Spain (April 25). -
Hawaii is Added to the US
U.S. annexes Hawaii by an act of Congress. -
Treay of Paris
Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Spanish-American War; Spain gives up control of Cuba, which becomes an independent republic, and cedes Puerto Rico, Guam, and (for $20 million) the Philippines to the U.S. -
US Acquires American Samoa
U.S. acquires American Samoa by treaty with Great Britain and Germany. -
Galveston Hurricane
Galveston hurricane leaves an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 dead. According to the census, the nation's population numbers nearly 76 million. -
McKinley's 2nd Term
McKinley's second inauguration. -
Assassination.
He is shot (Sept. 6) by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo, N.Y., and later dies from his wounds (Sept. 14). He is succeeded by his vice president, Theodore Roosevelt -
Panama Canal Treaty
U.S. acquires Panama Canal Zone (treaty signed Nov. 17) -
Wright Brothers Make An Airplane
Wright brothers make the first controlled, sustained flight in heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk, N.C. -
Theodore Roosevelt's 2nd Term
Theodore Roosevelt's second inauguration. -
San Francisco Earthquake
San Francisco earthquake leaves 500 dead or missing and destroys about 4 sq mi of the city. -
Bureau of Investigation is Established
Bureau of Investigation, forerunner of the FBI, is established. -
William Howard Taft is 27th President
William Howard Taft is inaugurated as the 27th president. Mrs. Taft has 80 Japanese cherry trees planted along the banks of the Potomac River. -
Woodrow Wilson is 28th President
Woodrow Wilson is inaugurated as the 28th president. -
17th Amendment is Ratified
Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, providing for the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote rather than by the state legislatures. -
Panama Canal is Open
Panama Canal opens to traffic. -
First Long Distance Telephone
First long distance telephone service, between New York and San Francisco, is demonstrated. -
U.S. Purchases VIrgin Islands for $25 Million
U.S. agrees to purchase Danish West Indies (Virgin Islands) for $25 million. -
Jeannette Rankin of Montana is First Woman In U.S. HOR
Jeannette Rankin of Montana is the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. -
U.S. Enters World War 1
World War I: U.S. enters World War I, declaring war on Germany. -
And Austria- Hungary
And Austria-Hungary, three years after conflict began in 1914. -
War Ended
Armistice ending World War I is signed. -
The Pentagon
The Pentagon announces that women will now be permanently assigned to battalions. -
Boston Marathon
Multiple bombs explode near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three people are killed and more than 170 people are injured. -
James A. Garfield is 20th President
James A. Garfield is inaugurated as the 20th president.