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King's College (Columbia University) is founded in New York City.
King George II of Great Britain founded King's College, later renamed Columbia University, via a royal charter on Jan. 4, 1754. This event is important because King's College was the first college in the, at the time, colony of New York. -
French & Indian War Begins
The British and French, who were long time rivals, were arguing over land, which led to the British declaring war on the French in 1756; it would end in 1763. This event is incredibly important as this war is an indirect cause of the United States declaring their independence from Great Britain. -
St. Louis, Missouri, is established by the French as a trading post.
The city of St. Louis, Missouri, is established as a trading post for the French. This is important as this city would eventually become one of the larger cities in Missouri, and Missouri itself would become a part of the United States. -
The Stamp Act is passed by Great Britain.
The British Parliament passed a law that all printed paper in the American colonies were to be taxed. This is important as this and a few other laws passed by Great Britain as a way to pay for the French and Indian war would cause the United States to fight for their independence. -
St. Paul's Chapel in New York is consecrated.
St. Paul's Chapel, which was built on a land grant by the Queen of England, was completed on Oct. 30, 1766. This is important as the chapel was, at the year of its completion, the tallest building in New York City, which would later be, arguably, famous for having very tall buildings. -
Boston Massacre.
A large group of American colonists surrounded a bunch of British soldiers and threw stuff at them, to which the soldiers responded by firing their weapons at them. This incident is incredibly important as it pushed tensions between the English and the Americans closer to its boiling point. -
The Tea Act is passed.
The Tea Act was passed by the British in order to pay off debt accumulated during the French and Indian War, and taxed America's tea. This event is important as it led to the Boston Tea Party, which would make the British enact laws similar to the Tea Act. -
The Intolerable Acts are passed.
The British passed the Boston Port Act, closing the Boston Port, the Massachusetts Government Act, taking Massachusetts's right to self government, the Administration of Justice Act, effectively taking away an citizen in Massachusetts's right to a fair trial, and the Quartering Act, which made all of the colonies' citizens take British troops into their own homes. This event is extremely important as it is what led to the colonies unanimously agreeing to declare their independence. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The British attempted to destroy American rebels' supplies that were being held in Concord, the rebels intercepted the attacking British at the town of Lexington, and were miraculously able to win the battles despite less military experience. This is important as it was the first official battle of the American Revolution, which officially ended 1783. -
The Declaration of Independence is signed.
The Declaration of Independence was the document that stated the United States, and the reasons as to why, in ink, and was approved by congress on the fourth of July the same year. This event is one of, if not THE most important events in this country's history, as it is what told not just Britain, but the entire world, that we were going to be independent or die trying to be. -
The first President of the United States of America is elected.
General George Washington is elected as the first ever President of the United States of America with John Adams as his Vice-President. This is important as it is the first time our country had a clear leader. -
Washington D.C becomes the US capital.
The city of Washington D.C. became the capitol of the US due to a compromise reached by James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. This important because Washington D.C. has remained as the country's capital since 1790, and it is unlike any other city in America because it does not officially reside in any state. -
Whiskey Rebellion.
The Whiskey Rebellion was a reaction to the alcoholic beverage whiskey being taxed under George Washington's administration, it lasted until 1794, and it does not have a specific date in which it began. This is an important event because it showed that the Federal government was strong enough to be able to pass and enforce laws. -
The Second President of the United States of America is elected.
John Adams, who previously served as George Washington's vice president, is elected as the Second President of the USA, and his long time friend/rival Thomas Jefferson is elected as his Vice-President. This is important as this election in particular was the first to have political parties play a part in electing the president. -
Mississippi Territory is given a government.
Congress decides to give the Mississippi territory, which was acquired in 1795, a government, and John Adams himself appoints a governor to it. This is important because the Mississippi territory would later become a state, and it increased the reach of the United States' government in North America. -
The Third President of the United States of America is elected.
Thomas Jefferson, previously the Vice-President under John Adams, is elected as the president with Aaron Burr as his Vice-President. This is important because this election was extremely close between Jefferson and Burr until Alexander Hamilton openly and privately endorsed Jefferson. -
The Louisiana Purchase is made by Thomas Jefferson.
The French sold the territory of Louisiana to the United States. This is important as it greatly increased the size of the United States. -
The Twelfth Amendment is passed.
Congress passes the Twelfth Amendment in order to fix the problem of having a politically differing President and Vice-President, making so that the Vice-President was chosen by the Electoral Congress separate from the President. This is important as it changed the way a vice-president was placed into office, it also resulted in Aaron Burr getting kicked out of office as the Vice-President, and put James Madison in his place. -
The War of 1812
Under James Madison, who was elected in 1809, the United States engaged in another war with the British from 1812-1815. This is important as where the Revolutionary War was to gain Independence, the War of 1812 was to maintain it from the British. -
The Civil War
After a long period of time, the South becomes fed up with the North's perceived superiority over them, so they succeed from the Union, causing the deadliest ever fought on American soil; it ended on May 9, 1865. This is one of the most important events in this country's two hundred and forty-one years of existing because it tested whether or not we would be able to prove to the world that we could overcome our infighting, and maintain our country.
