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Library of Congress Founded
Located in Washington, D.C., the Library of Congress was the idea of James Madison. -
The Capitol Moves to Washington D.C.
The U.S. capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC -
Marbury V. Madison
Marbury v. Madison: Landmark Supreme Court decision expands the power of the Court by establishing its right to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States agrees to pay France $15 Million and doubles the size of the United States -
Lewis and Clark Begin Exploration
Lewis and Clark set west to attempt finding a route to the Pacific -
War of 1812
The U.S. declares war on Britain over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion. -
British Take Washington D.C.
British capture Washington, DC, and set fire to the White House and Capitol -
Treaty of Ghent
The treaty of Ghent is signed officially ending the war of 1812 -
Spain Cedes Florida to the United States
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Missouri Compromise
In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine 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 3630'. -
Construction Begins on Baltimore-Ohio Railroad
Construction is begun on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the first public railroad in the U.S. -
Andrew Jackson Signs Indian Removal 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. -
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Texans Defend the Alamo
Texan defenders of the Alamo are all killed by the Mexican Army. -
Texas Declares Independence from Mexico
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Treaty of Velasco
The Treaty of Velasco required that Santa Anna withdraw his forces from Texas soil, and to acknowledge Texas's independence. -
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Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis in the United States that touched off a major depression, which lasted until the mid-1840s. Profits, prices, and wages went down; unemployment went and nearly half of all banks failed. -
U.S. Annexes Texas
The U.S. annexes Texas by a joint resolution of Congress -
Gold is Discovered in California at Sutters Mill
The gold rush, a mass migration of those chasing gold and riches follows the year after word reaches the East -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 essentially reinstated the Missouri Compromise's ideals -
The Fugitive Slave Act
Once passed, it required all runaway slaves to be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. -
The Gadsden Purchase
The United States purchases the land that would become Arizona and New Mexico -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
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The Civil War
A war between the southern states (Confederates) against the northern states (Union) -
First Major Civil War Battle
The battle of bull run signifies the first major battle of the Civil war, won by the Confederates -
The Confiscation Acts
The first of these acts established that the union could take the confederate property, while the second stated that the union had the power to free confederate owned slaves -
The Battle of Antietam
This battle is considered one of the bloodiest battles ever recorded. The Confederates retreating, resulting in a not so decisive win for the Union -
Emancipation Proclamation
Although written earlier in the year, Lincoln was advised to wait until after the Union victory. On January 1st, 1863 after the victory at Antietam, Lincoln declared that all slaves be free -
General Lee and the Confederacy Surrenders
General Grant surrounded General Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, which ended all Confederate military operations. -
Lincoln is Assassinated
John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln on the evening of April 14th, 1865 due to his belief that Lincoln was trying to overthrow the constitution and destroy the south -
Thirteenth Amedment
Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, prohibiting slavery. -
U.S. Purchases Alaska
The U.S. acquires Alaska from Russia for the sum of $7.2 million -
Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, giving blacks the right to vote. -
Chicago Fire
A fire consumes most of the city of Chicago and leaves 100,000 people homeless