Founding Fathers Timeline

  • Massacre at Mystic

    Massacre at Mystic
    The Massacre at Mystic was the first defeat of the Pequot people by the English in the Pequot War. English settlers set fire to a secured Pequot village close to the Mystic River.
  • The Scalp Act

    The Scalp Act
    The Scalp Act was basically anyone who brought in a male scalp, above age of 12, would be given $150. For females, above the age of 12 or males under the age of 12, would be paid $130. The act turned all the tribes against the Pennsylvania legislature.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    The Boston Tea Party was a political incident that took place in Boston, Massachusetts. Americans were devastated with the British for commanding "taxation without representation" and 342 chests of tea were dumped.
  • The Battles of Lexington and Concord

    The Battles of Lexington and Concord
    The Battles of Lexington and Concord was the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
  • The Declaration of Independence is Signed

    The Declaration of Independence is Signed
    The Declaration of Independence being signed was important contains the standards of our nation and it was an official act taken by the 13 American colonies in insisting independence from British rule. This was taken place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • The Winter at Valley Forge

    The Winter at Valley Forge
    The Winter at Valley Forge was convinced to be an outstanding trial for the American Army. Although it was known to be an outstanding place, many hundreds of the soldiers died from diseases.
  • Benedict Arnold turns traitor

    Benedict Arnold turns traitor
    In 1780, Benedict Arnold turned his back to his country. He was in a meeting with a British official and began telling American secrets and also entered secret negotiations with the British. He agreed to turn over the U.S. post at West Point to get money in return and an order in the British army. Benedict was later known as the "traitor."
  • The Battle of Cowpens

    The Battle of Cowpens
    The Battle of Cowpens was taken place in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. It was the turning point of the Revolutionary War in the southern colonies. The Americans won and the result forced the British to fall back and give the Americans confidence that they could win the war.
  • Article of Confederation are Ratified

    Article of Confederation are Ratified
    We needed to create the Articles of Confederation because a type of formal government was needed to unite the thirteen colonies. The Articles of Confederation described the functions of the national government. They also wanted to make sure we kept the independence. The Article of Confederation was ratified in Maryland.
  • The Battle of Yorktown

    The Battle of Yorktown
    The significance of The Battle of Yorktown is that Virginia was able to mark the completion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the beginning of a new nation's independence.
  • The 3/5ths Compromise

    The 3/5ths Compromise
    The 3/5ths Compromise was approved in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It dealt with how to assign seats in the House of Representatives and divide taxes based on population. State populations would be determined by the "whole number" of free people and "three fifths" of all other people/slaves.
  • The Constitution is Ratified

    The Constitution is Ratified
    The Constitution getting ratified was so important because it was the official structure of the Government of the United States.
  • Presidential Inauguration of George Washington

    Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
    George Washington took the oath while having his hand on the Bible; however, he then kissed the Bible after he took the oath. His inauguration was held at Federal Hall in New York City, New York.
  • Washington's Farewell Address

    Washington's Farewell Address
    The main purpose of Washington's Farewell Address was proposed to serve as a guide to planned government for the American public.
  • The Death of George Washington

    The Death of George Washington
    George Washington passed away at the age of 67 from a throat infection. He is buried in the Washington's Family Tomb in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Something interesting is that his last words were "tis well".
  • Election Day, 1800

    Election Day, 1800
    The election of 1800 was the first election where both parties ran candidates and campaigned. There was also a tie between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson.
  • Marbury vs. Madison

    Marbury vs. Madison
    Marbury vs. Madison was when the U.S. Supreme Court first announced an act of Congress unlawfully, although establishing the belief of judicial review.
  • Slave Trade Ends in the United States

    Slave Trade Ends in the United States
    This event happened on January 1, 1808. It was a Federal law that stated that it is illegal to import prisoners from Africa into the United States. It was to put an end to slavery in the United States. Although it was the end of slavery, there was still some slavery happening illegally for another fifty years.
  • Battle of Tippecanoe

    Battle of Tippecanoe
    The Battle of Tippecanoe was a battle over white expansion that led into Indian territory. In the end, the United States won and broke Tecumseh's power and ended the threat of an Indian confederation.
  • The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere

    The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
    The USS Constitution met and defeated HMS Guerriere. This was a a 38-gun British warship that was led by Captain James Richard Dacres. The Americans won and resulted in a much needed morale boost for American society.
  • The Battle of Baltimore

    The Battle of Baltimore
    The Battle of Baltimore was a three day battle that took place in Baltimore, Maryland. America took the victory of this battle. This battle spurred the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", which is the United States national anthem. The successful defense of this battle helped end the War of 1812.
  • The Battle of New Orleans

    The Battle of New Orleans
    The Battle of New Orleans is known as the greatest American land victory of war. This battle was between American and British troops. The Americans victory boosted their pride and moral. This was an ironic battle because it occurred after the peace treaty, which ended the War of 1812, was signed.
  • The Missouri Compromise

    The Missouri Compromise
    The Missouri Compromise was the equity of power in Congress between slave and free states. It stated that Missouri was a slave state and Maine was a free state.
  • The Election of Andrew Jackson

    The Election of Andrew Jackson
    The election of Andrew Jackson was significant because his election represented a shift of power to the common man. This was because he was from a poor family and still managed to rise in power because of his hard work. His election was known as the "Revolution of 1828."
  • Indian Removal Act

    Indian Removal Act
    The Indian Removal Act was signed by President Andrew Jackson. This act allowed the president to permit lands west of the Mississippi to get Indian lands within existing state borders in return.
  • Trail of Tears

    Trail of Tears
    The Trail of Tears was a forced relocation of the Native Americans. It took some groups almost 4 months to make the entire trip. This event was significant because the impact it had on the Cherokee was devastating. It is remembered today as a great human rights cruelty and a shameful period in the persecution of native peoples.
  • Nat Turner Rebellion

    Nat Turner Rebellion
    Nat Turner was an enslaved man who led a rebellion of enslaved people. He started the rebellion as a rise against white owners. This led to a massacre of around 200 African Americans and a new sign of cruel legislation that banned the education, movement, and assembly of enslaved people.
  • The Battle of the Alamo

    The Battle of the Alamo
    The Battle of the Alamo was taken place in San Antonio, Texas. This was a key battle in the Texas Revolution. This was important in the Texas Revolution and American history because it reunited the rest of Texas to fight against the Mexican army. This later led to the victory over Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto.
  • Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and Arizona

    Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and Arizona
    The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War. Mexico had to give up a little over half of their territory. They lost California, New Mexico, and Arizona to the United States.
  • The Fugitive Slave Act

    The Fugitive Slave Act
    The Fugitive Slave Act stated that slaves must be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. The act also made the federal government responsible for finding and returning escaped slaves.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott Decision
    The Dred Scott Decision was so important because everyone believed that it would settle the slavery question forever. It would either make slavery legal or illegal throughout the entire nation.
  • The Dead Rabbits Riot

    The Dead Rabbits Riot
    The leader of Dead Rabbits Riot was Priest Vallon. The Dead Rabbits Riot was a two day civil disruption. It started from a small street fight between the people of the Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys.
  • Abraham Lincoln Elected President

    Abraham Lincoln Elected President
    Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. He was president from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865, when he got assassinated. He was president for about four years. The Election of 1860 showed the breakup within the United States right before the Civil War. The results of the 1860 election drove the nation into war.
  • South Carolina secedes from the United States

    South Carolina secedes from the United States
    South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in December of 1860. John C. Calhoun was the leader of the South Carolina secession. South Carolina's reason for seceding is because of the "increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the Institution of Slavery."
  • The First Battle of Bull Run

    The First Battle of Bull Run
    The First Battle of Bull Run was taken place in Prince William County, Virginia. This battle was significant because it showed that the country's fate could not be decided after one battle. The confederates won; therefore, it gave the South a confidence boost. This battle did not give the Union confidence that the Civil War would be easy to win.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. It stated "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." This freed more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans.
  • The Battle of Gettysburg

    The Battle of Gettysburg
    The Battle of Gettysburg was a three day battle. It was the bloodiest battle in the entire Civil War. In fact, it was the turning point of the Civil War. This battle ended up being a victory for the Union.
  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment
    The 13th Amendment was to put an end to slavery as an organization in all U.S. states and territories forever.
  • The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse

    The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
    The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse is significant because it had to do with the final battle of the Civil War. It also had to do with Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrendering to Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. They surrendered on on April 9, 1865.
  • The Ku Klux Klan is Established

    The Ku Klux Klan is Established
    The Ku Klux Klan was organized in the South. By 1870, it had expanded into almost every southern state. The members pursued an underground campaign of terrorizing and brutality that was aimed towards white and black Republican leaders.
  • 14th Amendment

    14th Amendment
    The 14th Amendment states that anyone born in the United States is a citizen and that all states must give citizens the same rights.
  • John D. Rockefeller Creates Standard Oil

    John D. Rockefeller Creates Standard Oil
    In 1870, John D. Rockefeller established Standard Oil. He was the wealthiest man alive in American business and economic history; however, he most certainly made all his money from oil. in 1937, his estimated net worth was $1.4 billion. By the early 1880s, the Standard Oil Company controlled most of the U.S. refineries and pipelines.
  • 15th Amendment

    15th Amendment
    The 15th Amendment protects the voting rights of all citizens. It does not matter the race or the color of their skin. This amendment also protected the voting rights of previous slaves.
  • Alexander Graham Bell Patents the Telephone

    Alexander Graham Bell Patents the Telephone
    Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for his revolutionary invention, which was the telephone. The telephone had a positive impact on society because telephones made it easier for businesses to be able to communicate with each other. Back in the day, the telephone was also so important because it did not take as long to send messages back and forth to each other.
  • Battle of Little Bighorn

    Battle of Little Bighorn
    The Battle of Little Bighorn was near the Little Bighorn River in Montana. The Native American forces were led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. They beat the U.S. Army troops of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. This battle was so important because it marked the most determining Native American victory and the worst U.S. Army defeat.
  • The Great Oklahoma Land Race

    The Great Oklahoma Land Race
    The Great Oklahoma Land Race was the first land run into the unmarked lands of former Indian Territory. It was important because it led to the creation of Oklahoma Territory under the Organic Act of 1890. It was basically the development of the forty-sixth state, which is Oklahoma.
  • Battle of Wounded Knee

    Battle of Wounded Knee
    The Battle of Wounded Knee took place at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The "Battle of Wounded Knee" is also known by "The Massacre of Wounded Knee" because there were so many people killed. This battle was the last huge conflict in America's deadly war against the Plains Indians.
  • Ellis Island Opens to Process Immigrants

    Ellis Island Opens to Process Immigrants
    Ellis Island was located in the New York Harbor and was the first official immigration station. The immigrants were asked several different questions before they were allowed to move into the country. The government was making sure each new citizen had a plan for their new life there and had opportunities waiting for them.12 million people successfully passed through. Ellis Island was once the nation's busiest immigrant processing center.
  • Plessy vs. Ferguson

    Plessy vs. Ferguson
    Plessy v. Ferguson was a decision that confirmed the constitutionality of racial separation under the “separate but equal” belief. This mark on history was cause because of African American, Homer Plessy, refused to sit in a train car for African Americans.
  • The sinking of the USS Maine

    The sinking of the USS Maine
    The sinking of the USS Maine was in Havana, Cuba habor. An explosion is what sunk the USS Maine. It killed 266 out of 354 members. The sinking later led to a naval blockade of Cuba and a declaration of war.
  • The Wizard of Oz (Book) is Published

    The Wizard of Oz (Book) is Published
    The Wizard of Oz book was written by L. Frank Baum. In the introduction, Baum wrote about his intentions. It was written simply to pleasure children today. The book was a political analogy for American politics at the dawn of the 20th century.
  • J.P. Morgan Founds U.S. Steel

    J.P. Morgan Founds U.S. Steel
    J.P. Morgan founded United States steel in 1901. The United States Steel was the world's first billion-dollar company. J.P Morgan owned the U.S. steel from 1837-1913. The U.S. was the largest business pursuit ever launched in America.
  • Ford Motor Company is Founded

    Ford Motor Company is Founded
    The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903. The Ford Motor Company became one of the largest and most moneymaking company in the world. Henry and 12 others invested $28,000 and created Ford Motor Company. The first car built by the Company was sold July 15, 1903. Ford named the car the "Model A."
  • Ida Tarbell Publishes Her Article About Standard Oil

    Ida Tarbell Publishes Her Article About Standard Oil
    In 1880, Ida Tarbell graduated from Allegheny College and was the only women in her graduating class. She exposed unethical practices of the Standard Oil Company. It led to a U.S. Supreme Court decision to break its monopoly.
  • Teddy Roosevelt Becomes President of the United States

    Teddy Roosevelt Becomes President of the United States
    Teddy Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States. His term lasted from September 14, 1901 - March 4, 1909. During Roosevelt's presidency, he strongly encouraged conservation movement. He also expanded the national forests and parks.
  • Angel Island Opens to Process Immigrants

    Angel Island Opens to Process Immigrants
    Angel Island is located in The Fransisco Bay. Between 1910 and 1940, the station refined up to one million Asian and other immigrants. It earned the reputation as the "Ellis Island of the West." Angel Island is still an important place for Asian Americans whose inheritance are deeply in the history of the U.S. Immigration Station.
  • The 16th Amendment is Passed

    The 16th Amendment is Passed
    The Sixteenth Amendment was ratified in 1913. It allowed Congress to impose an income tax without distributing it among the states on the foundation of population. It played the main role in building up the powerful American federal government by being able to make the law a nationwide income tax. The income tax became the federal government's largest source of revenue.
  • The 17th Amendment is Passed

    The 17th Amendment is Passed
    The 17th amendment was ratified in 1913. The 17th amendment changed the way senators were elected. It allowed voters of each state to send out direct votes for their senators.
  • Sacco and Vanzetti arrested for armed robbery and murder

    Sacco and Vanzetti arrested for armed robbery and murder
    Sacco and Vanzetti got arrested at a shoe factory in South Braintree, Massachusetts. They were charged for armed robbery and murder. This case was referred to as a miscarriage of justice in American legal history. This was significant because it revealed racial discrimination and showed the unfairness toward immigrants in the U.S.
  • KDKA goes on the air from Pittsburgh

    KDKA goes on the air from Pittsburgh
    The first commercial radio station was KDKA. It was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Leo Rosenberg was KDKA's first broadcaster. The first broadcast was about the returns of the Harding-Cox presidential election.
  • 1st Miss American Pageant

    1st Miss American Pageant
    The first Miss American pageant took place in Atlantic City. Margaret Gorman from Washington, DC won the first Miss American pageant. The pageant was created to motivate visitors to stay in the resort past labor day. The women competed by showing different skills like leadership and talent.
  • Teapot Dome Scandal

    Teapot Dome Scandal
    The Teapot Dome Scandal took place in Wyoming and two different locations in California. President Warren G. Harding is associated with this event. The Teapot Dome Scandal was a bribery scandal; thus, it was convicted of taking on bribes from oil companies.
  • 1st Winter Olympics Held

    1st Winter Olympics Held
    The first Winter Olympics took place in Chamonix, France. There were a total of six different sports at the olympics. Charles Jewtraw won the first event and became the first Winter Games champion. The Olympics drastically contributed to the growth of sports around the world.
  • The Great Gatsby published by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    The Great Gatsby published by F. Scott Fitzgerald
    The Great Gatsby tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby. Jay is a self-made millionaire. The book talks about his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, who is a younger woman that he loved when he was younger. The Great Gatsby is so famous because it explores universal themes.
  • Scopes Monkey Trial

    Scopes Monkey Trial
    The Scopes Monkey Trail took place in Dayton, Tennessee. This trial began with John Thomas Scopes. He was a teacher and was accused of teaching evolution, which was in violation of a Tennessee state law. His case took place in the Rhea County Courthouse.
  • Charles Lindberg completes solo flight across the Atlantic

    Charles Lindberg completes solo flight across the Atlantic
    Charles Lindberg took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York to Paris, France. The plane he flew was the "Spirit of St. Louis." The flight was 34 hours long. Many people doubted that he would successfully make it across the Atlantic Ocean. This was significant just because it was the first ever flight without stopping.
  • The Jazz Singer debuts (1st movie with sound)

    The Jazz Singer debuts (1st movie with sound)
    The Jazz Singer debuts was produced by Warner Bros and the director was Alan Crosland. This was so significant because it was the first feature-length movie with synchronized dialogue. This helped the start of media and technology start to go about.
  • St. Valentine's Day Massacre

    St. Valentine's Day Massacre
    The St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place in Chicago, Illinois. Al Capone sent four men, dressed as police officers, to murder Bugs Moran's men. The four "police officers" lined up seven of Moran's men against the wall and shot them to death.
  • Black Tuesday (Stock Market Crash)

    Black Tuesday (Stock Market Crash)
    The Black Tuesday (Stock Market Crash) happened on Wall St. in New York, New York. The stock prices began to drop in September, early October and the fall began on October 18. The stock market completely crashed on October 29. It dropped nearly 12%.
  • The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem

    The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
    The adoption of the Star Bangled Banner as the National Anthem took place in Maryland. This happened after seeing the huge overnight British bombardment of Fort McHenry. It was originally a poem and is now the National Anthem. It is written by Francis Scott Key.
  • The Empire State Building Opens

    The Empire State Building Opens
    The Empire State opened May 1, 1931. It was designed by the architecture of Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, and engineer H. G. Balcom. The Empire State Building symbolized the industrial skill and economic strength of the United States.