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Signing of the Declaration of Independence
On July 4th of 1776, the members of the Second Continetal Congress adopted a Declaration of Indpendence stating that the 13 colonies were free from British rule. By doing this, the men that signed it commited treason and if were captured would most likely have been killed under British Law. This is so important because it made us a free country and it led to the events of the Revolutionary War. -
Signing of the U.S. Constitution
After the unsuccesfulness of the previous form of government (The Articles of Confederation), the U.S. government wrote the Constitution as an improvement. Although it has been amended many times, including the most famous set of amendments called the Bill of Rights that were added right after it was made, it has proved to be a good form of government. This is important because it is the framework of our governemnt today and we all enjoy its freedoms and the protections it offers us. -
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was an expedition ordered by Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly bought Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark had mapmaking skills and they documented all of the new animals, plants, and Native Americans they came across. This is so important because once their reasearch was released, the public grew anxious to go out West, which was partly inspired by Lewis and Clark. -
The Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which enabled him to evict all the Native Americans living in the Southern United States and move them to Indian Territory which is in present-day Oklahoma. There were five tribes that had to move, but the most famous Indian Removal was the Trail of Tears, which involved moving the Cherokee, in which a quarter of all their people died. This event is important because Americans move into this new land and many Indians died. -
Civil War Begins
The American Civil War was the war between the North and the South over many of their differences. It was the bloodiest war in U.S. history. The South broke away from the Union and wanted to keep slavery, but the North wanted to keep the South and abolish slavery, and these were the main reasons for the war. The war officially ended on April 9th, 1865, with a Union victory. This was so important because it led to the end of slavery and changed the face of our nation. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Batle of Gettysburg took place in Gettysburg, PA over a three day time period. This was the most bloody battle in the Civil War with around 50,000 casualties. This battle was so important to the Civil War because it acted as a turning point in favor of the Union and led to the famous Gettysburg Address. -
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The Gilded Age
The time period between 1870-1900 is known as "The Gilded Age". This refers to the serious social problems masked by the few rich citizens at that time. Some inventors or business owners were extremely wealthy, and lived in large mansions. However, many immigrants and other poor people worked hard jobs for little pay, and were squeezed into awful tenements and slums. This time period was so important becaue it was a turning point for America and showed the serious problems with American life. -
Oklahoma Land Rush
The Oklahoma Land Rush started on April 22nd, 1889, and was the time period when Benjamin Harrison opened up land in the west. At the shot of a cannon, thousands of people raced out west to claim their free homestead, or free 160 acres of land that was theirs if they promised to farm it for 5 years. This is so important because it led to populating all of America and westward expansion. -
The Stock Market Crash of 1929
On October 29th 1929, the Stock Market suddenly crashed on a day that would become to be known as "Black Tuesday". On that day, investors traded around 16 million shares, losing billions of dollars, and wiping out many investors. It was one of the costliest days ever and for the next decade sent the whole country into an economic tailspin. This is so impotant because it was one of the main reasons for the Great Depression and it impacted the whole industrialized world at that time. -
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World War II
When the Japenese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, President Franklin Roosevelt declared that the U.S. would become involoved in World War II. We fought the war against Germany, Japan, and Italy, which was led by Adolf Hitler. In 1945, we ended up defeating Hitler and the Japanese after they surrendered. World War II was so important in our nations history because it was one of the main reasons our nation fell into the Great Depression and if we had lost the war Germany may have taken over the world -
Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, or natural origin. It was a big step in equality for many citizens in America. It was led by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. This was so important becuase now everyone in America was equal and there could be no more segregation, and because many riots, fights, and protests broke out because of this. -
My Birthday
On June 9th 2001, I was born at Women and Babies Hospital in Lancaster, PA. I was born into a great and loving family, with a dad named Scott, a mom named Janelle, a sister named Kyra, and two pets. Some of my interests today are hunting, coin collecting, and playing trombone. My birthday was important because it started my whole life and everything that happens to me in my life started on that day. -
9/11 Terrosrist Attacks on America
On September 11th 2001, hijacked jet planes crashed into both the twin towers, the pentagon, and one that was directed for the White House was diverted and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The hijackers were people from the Islamic terrorist group Al Qaeda. Many people died that day when all the planes crashed. This event was so important because it was the first attack on America and it led to much tighter restrictions to prevent terrosrist attacks.
