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The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the American Revolutionary War resulted in an American victory. British forces succeeded in destroying cannons and other supplies in Concord. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
Commander of the Continental Army George Washington, the future first president of the United States, leads his beleaguered troops into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. -
Benedict Arnold turns traitor
He offered the British seizure of the military fortress at West Point, NY, in exchange for 10,000 pounds and a British military commission. -
The Battle of Cowpens
American victory during the American Revolution over a British force in South Carolina on January 17, 1781. It was a rare win for American forces, and it slowed British efforts to invade North Carolina. -
The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
Represented the young American Navy's first triumph over a Royal Navy ship during the War of 1812, giving a welcome morale boost after setbacks on land -
The Battle of Baltimore
American forces attacked across sea and land invasions in Baltimore, Maryland. Killed the commander of the British forces. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The battle was the last major armed engagement between the United States and Britain. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
Development of a two-party system akin to our modern system, presidential electioneering bearing a closer resemblance to modern political campaigning, and the strengthening of the power of the executive branch. -
The Battle of the Alamo
It rallied the rest of Texas to fight against the Mexican army eventually leading to a victory over Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto. -
Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and Arizona
This treaty, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war between the United States and Mexico. By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including the present-day states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
His election served as the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the Civil War. After being sworn in as president, Lincoln refused to accept any resolution that would result in Southern secession from the Union. -
South Carolina secedes from the United States
The victory of Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election triggered cries for disunion across the slaveholding South.South Carolina became the first state to secede from the federal Union -
The First Battle of Bull Run
A large Union force under General Irvin McDowell is routed by a Confederate army under General Pierre G.T. Beauregard. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg marked the turning point of the Civil War. With more than 50,000 estimated casualties, the three-day engagement was the bloodiest single battle of the conflict. -
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
Marks the beginning of the country's transition to peace and reunification following the Civil War. -
The sinking of the USS Maine
Maine sank when her forward gunpowder magazines exploded. Nearly three-quarters of the battleship's crew died as a result of the explosion. -
The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
President Herbert Hoover signs a congressional act making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States. -
Battle of the Philippines
Known as “the greatest carrier battle of the war,” it accompanied the U.S. landing on Saipan and ended in a complete U.S. victory.