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U.S. History Timeline

  • Massacre at Mystic

    Massacre at Mystic
    A pre-dawn attack at Fort Mystic where the English attacked the Pequot tribe. This attack resulted in the deaths of about 500 of the Pequots.
  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    A political protest taking place at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts where protesters dumped 342 chests of tea to protest against taxes put on such items.
  • The Battles of Lexington and Concord

    The Battles of Lexington and Concord
    The first two major battles that kicked off the Revolutionary War.
  • The Battles of Lexington and Concord

    The Battles of Lexington and Concord
    The first two battles that kicked off the Revolutionary War, the war in which the United States gained its freedom from Great Britain.
  • The Declaration of Independence is Signed

    The Declaration of Independence is Signed
    The date that the Declaration of Independence was finally signed after being approved by the thirteen colonies for almost a month.
  • The Winter at Valley Forge

    The Winter at Valley Forge
    The Continental Army led by George Washington used the forge as shelter during the winter of 1777
  • Article of Confederation are Ratified

    Article of Confederation are Ratified
    The document that was used as a temporary framework for the U.S government following the Revolutionary War.
  • The Death of George Washington

    The Death of George Washington
    The date of death of the first president of the United States George Washington.
  • The Battle of Yorktown

    The Battle of Yorktown
    A battle starting on September 28, 1781, and ending on October 19, 1781, the Battle of Yorktown was the final major battle in the Revolutionary War.
  • The 3/5ths Compromise

    The 3/5ths Compromise
    An agreement that every slave would count as 3/5's of a person in the U.S. population.
  • The Constitution is Ratified

    The Constitution is Ratified
    The day the constitution became the official framework for the U.S. government
  • Presidential Inauguration of George Washington

    Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
    The first Inauguration of a president in U.S history.
  • Washington’s Farewell Address

    Washington’s Farewell Address
    A letter written by Washington near the end of his second term as a farewell to the American people.
  • Election Day, 1800

    Election Day, 1800
    An election held from October 31, 1777, to December 3, 1800, saw the first change in presidents in the history of the United States
  • Marbury v. Madison

    Marbury v. Madison
    A Supreme Court case in which it was decided that the courts are given the ability to strike down laws and statutes they find unconstitutional.
  • Slave Trade Ends in the United States

    Slave Trade Ends in the United States
    The date that the United States ended the Atlantic Slave Trade.
  • Battle of Tippecanoe

    Battle of Tippecanoe
    A significant battle between the United States and Shawnee. The U.S winning this battle Tecsumeh's power and ended any threat of an Indian Confederacy from sprouting.
  • The Battle of Baltimore

    The Battle of Baltimore
    A battle taking place on both land and sea where the United States fought off British forces from invading the Port of Baltimore.
  • The Missouri Compromise

    The Missouri Compromise
    A compromise that admitted Missouri as a slave state, and Maine as a free state. This was done to keep the balance of free to slave states equal.
  • Indian Removal Act

    Indian Removal Act
    A bill signed by President Jackson that stated land west of Mississippi would be exchanged for the current land owned by the natives.
  • Trail of Tears

    Trail of Tears
    A series of forced displacements of the Native Americans because of the Indian Removal Act. The treatment towards the natives on this trail is known for being harsh.
  • Nat Turner Rebellion

    Nat Turner Rebellion
    A rebellion led by slave Nat Turner that led to many others like it.
  • The Battle of the Alamo

    The Battle of the Alamo
    A battle spanning from February 23, all the way until March 6, the Battle of The Alamo was a 13-day siege led by General Antonio López De Santa Anna where the Mexican army reclaimed the Alamo Mission by killing the Texans/Tejanos defending it. Popular figures from this battle include Jim Bowie and David Crockett.
  • The Fugitive Slave Act

    The Fugitive Slave Act
    An act that required run-away slaves to be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott Decision
    A Supreme Court Decision that decided a slave in a free state was not entitled to their freedom.
  • The Dead Rabbits Riot

    The Dead Rabbits Riot
    A small-scale streetfight between the Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys that turned into a citywide gang war.
  • The First Battle of Bull Run

    The First Battle of Bull Run
    A battle also known as the Battle of Manassas, was the first major battle of the Civil War.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    An executive order by President Lincoln that stated every slave across the union shall be freed.
  • The Battle of Gettysburg

    The Battle of Gettysburg
    Spanning from July 1st to July 3rd, the Battle of Gettysburg is considered the turning point in the Civil War. The battle was also the bloodiest battle of the war
  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment
    The date of the passing of the 13th Amendment. This amendment stated that slavery shall be illegal in the United States, or any place within its jurisdiction.
  • The Ku Klux Klan is Established

    The Ku Klux Klan is Established
    A group formed following the Civil War. This group served and continues to serve as an American white supremacist hate group, mainly towards black people.
  • 14th Amendment

    14th Amendment
    The date of the passing of the 14th amendment. The amendment stated anybody born within the United States is a U.S. citizen, no state shall take away any rights from its citizens, and the state shall not deny anyone the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
  • John D. Rockefeller Creates Standard Oil

    John D. Rockefeller Creates Standard Oil
    John. D Rockefeller created standard oil, a company that controlled 90% of the industry at one point.
  • 15th Amendment

    15th Amendment
    The date the 15th Amendment was passed. The amendment stated that the state has no right to deny voting privileges to people based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
  • Alexander Graham Bell Patents the Telephone

    Alexander Graham Bell Patents the Telephone
    The Date Alexander Graham received a patent for his new invention, the telephone.
  • The Scalp Act

    The Scalp Act
    Enacted by Governor Gale Morris, the Scalp Act stated that anyone over the age of 12 that brought in a scalp would be given $150. Any males under the age of 12 that did so would be given $130.
  • Battle of Little Bighorn

    Battle of Little Bighorn
    A significant battle between the United States and many native plains tribes. This battle is also referred to as Custer's Last Stand.
  • The Great Oklahoma Land Race

    The Great Oklahoma Land Race
    A race to claim unknown territory in the newly opened Oklahoma Territory.
  • Battle of Wounded Knee

    Battle of Wounded Knee
    Also known as the Wounded Knee Massacre, the Battle of Wounded Knee was the slaughter of about 300 Lakota people by U.S. soldiers
  • Ellis Island Opens to Process Immigrants

    Ellis Island Opens to Process Immigrants
    The date the first Ellis Island Immigration Station opening.
  • Plessy vs. Ferguson

    Plessy vs. Ferguson
    A Supreme Court decision that upheld racial segregation. This caused restrictive Jim Crow legislation to be commonplace across the United States
  • The sinking of the USS Maine

    The sinking of the USS Maine
    The date that the USS Maine was sunk. This later led to A blockade of Cuba and the declaration of war
  • The Wizard of Oz (Book) is Published

    The Wizard of Oz (Book) is Published
    A novel originally written by L. Frank Baum in 1902. The book caused controversy because some felt that while it was made as a children's book, the book promoted negativity.
  • J.P. Morgan Founds U.S. Steel

    J.P. Morgan Founds U.S. Steel
    The merging of many popular steel companies to create U.S Steel. The U.S government made many attempts to break the company up, only succeeding in 2002.
  • Teddy Roosevelt Becomes President of the United States

    Teddy Roosevelt Becomes President of the United States
    The date that the 26th president of the United States took office. Unlike most presidents, Theodore didn't become president the standard way. He became president after President William Mckinley was assassinated.
  • Ida Tarbell Publishes Her Article About Standard Oil

    Ida Tarbell Publishes Her Article About Standard Oil
    A 19-page page series about the unethical practices of John B. Rockefeller and Standard Oil as a whole.
  • Ford Motor Company is Founded

    Ford Motor Company is Founded
    The date that the motor company Ford Motor Company was founded. Ford is a brand that has managed to stay relevant over a century later.
  • The 16th Amendment is Passed

    The 16th Amendment is Passed
    The date of the passing of the 17th Amendment. The amendment stated that Congress had a right to impose a federal income tax.
  • Angel Island Opens to Process Immigrants

    Angel Island Opens to Process Immigrants
    The date that Angel Island, against the wishes of Chinese community leaders, started processing immigrants.
  • The 17th Amendment is Passed

    The 17th Amendment is Passed
    The date that the amendment, that states the Senate shall consist of two Senators from each state voted by the people.
  • Sacco and Vanzetti arrested for armed robbery and murder

    Sacco and Vanzetti arrested for armed robbery and murder
    Sacco and Vanzetti were two known Anarchists that were arrested for robbery and murder. This incident was substantial because to this day it is considered one of the biggest mishandlings of justice in U.S. history.
  • KDKA goes on the air from Pittsburgh

    KDKA goes on the air from Pittsburgh
    The first commercial broadcast, which covered the 1924 election between Warren G. Harding and James M. Cox
  • 1st Miss American Pageant

    1st Miss American Pageant
    The date the first Miss American Pageant took place. 8 competed for the title of Miss America and Margaret Gorman won.
  • Teapot Dome Scandal

    Teapot Dome Scandal
    Taking place during the Harding administration, the Teapot Dome Scandal was the largest presidential administration scandal up until that point. Albert B. Fall, who was Secretary of the Interior at the time, leased Navy oil reserves, and multiple private oil reserves in California for low rates. Falls' newly required wealth eventually caught people's eyes and he was soon convicted of bribery. The scandal spanned from 1921 until 1923.
  • 1st Winter Olympics Held

    1st Winter Olympics Held
    Taking place in Chamonix, the first Winter Olympics consisted of 12 games that ranged over 6 sports.
  • Charles Lindberg completes solo flight across the Atlantic

    Charles Lindberg completes solo flight across the Atlantic
    The date that Charles Lindberg completed the first solo trip across the Atlantic. He completed the trip in the Spirit of St. Louis
  • The Great Gatsby published by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    The Great Gatsby published by F. Scott Fitzgerald
    The Great Gatsby is a popular piece of literature, which even to this day many read. The book tells the tale of Nick Carraway and his experience after moving to a new place. The story tells of his experience after meeting Jay Gatsby, a millionaire who lives in a luxurious mansion in Nick's neighborhood.
  • Mein Kampf is Published

    Mein Kampf is Published
    A book published by Adolf Hitler. The book details Hitler's political ideology and his future plans for Germany.
  • Scopes Monkey Trial

    Scopes Monkey Trial
    The Scopes Monkey Trial was over if the Theory of Evolution should be taught in schools or not.
  • The Jazz Singer debuts (1st movie with sound)

    The Jazz Singer debuts (1st movie with sound)
    The first full-length film debuts at Blue Moose Theatre.
  • St. Valentine's Day Massacre

    St. Valentine's Day Massacre
    The murder of seven members of Chicago's North Side Gang. The men were gathered and shot at Lincoln Park Garage.
  • Black Tuesday (Stock Market Crash)

    Black Tuesday (Stock Market Crash)
    The major American stock market crash that led to the start of the Great Depression.
  • Stock Market Crash Begins Great Depression

    Stock Market Crash Begins Great Depression
    The crashing of the U.S. stock market led to the greatest economic disaster in U.S. history. The crash led to a decade-long depression in which the effects were felt decades later.
  • The Dust Bowl Begins

    The Dust Bowl Begins
    A period of time where major dust storms plagued the United States. These storms led to agriculture and economic struggles in the American prairies. The dust bowl occurred throughout the beginning and middle of the 30s' and didn't "end" until the end of the decade.
  • The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem

    The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
    The date that President Hoover signed a bill making The Star-Spangled Banner the official National Anthem for the United States.
  • The Empire State Building Opens

    The Empire State Building Opens
    In May of 1931, the Empire State Building Opened after its 13-month building process finally ended.
  • Franklin Roosevelt is Elected President (1st Time)

    Franklin Roosevelt is Elected President (1st Time)
    The date Franklin Roosevelt was first elected president. FDR served as president from 1933-1945. He is the only president that served more than two terms.
  • Adolf Hitler Become Chancellor of Germany

    Adolf Hitler Become Chancellor of Germany
    On this date, President Paul von Hindenburg named Adolf Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. This decision had drastic ratifications on Germany and on the world as a whole.
  • CCC is Created

    CCC is Created
    The CCC, or better known as the Civilian Conservation Corps was created to help stop and reverse the effects of the Dust Bowl. Another benefit of the CCC is that many of the people affected by the dust bowl were offered and given jobs as part of the CCC.
  • Olympic Games in Berlin

    Olympic Games in Berlin
    This event was the 10th occurrence of the modern-day Olympic Games. The 1936 Olympic Games brought Germany back into the world's community and gave many the image that Germany was becoming tolerant. This image and the lack of resistance from western powers towards the games is what many believed gave Hitler the chance to achieve what he did during WWII. After the games the image of Germany that many had because of WWI soon faded. Shortly after once WWII began that image would again fade.
  • Kristallnacht

    Kristallnacht
    Kristallnacht, also referred to as the night of broken glass was a pogrom carried out against Jews in Nazi Germany.
  • Grapes of Wrath is Published

    Grapes of Wrath is Published
    The Grapes of Wrath is an American realist novel about the struggles of living after the great depression, and specifically during the dust bowl.
  • Wizard of Oz Premiers in Movie Theaters

    Wizard of Oz Premiers in Movie Theaters
    The Wizard of Oz, originally a book released in 1900 was and still is a popular movie. The surprise with The Wizard of Oz is how well it performed during the time like the great depression.
  • Germany Invades Poland

    Germany Invades Poland
    Spanning from September 1st, all the way until October 6th. The reason for the invasion was Germany's need to gain back lost territory from Poland. This invasion directly led to the start of WWII
  • The Four Freedoms Speech

    The Four Freedoms Speech
    A speech given by President Roosevelt to convince the American people that it is important for the United States to join the war effort. His way of doing this is by claiming that by the United States joining the war, they are protected the four freedoms.
  • The Bombing of Pearl Harbor

    The Bombing of Pearl Harbor
    The event that brought the United States into WWII. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was an attack on the United States by Japan. The bombing took place on the island state of Hawaii. At the time the majority of the U.S. navy was stationed at Pearl Harbor
  • The Battle of Iwo Jima

    The Battle of Iwo Jima
    A major battle in WWII where the American Navy and Marine Corps landed on the Island of Iwo Jima and eventually captured it from the Japanese Imperial Army.
  • The Battle of Okinawa

    The Battle of Okinawa
    The Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle of WWII. Taking place in the Pacific on the island of Okinawa, the battle is one of the bloodiest of the war.