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In 1775, Anthony Benezet, a French-born colonist created the first human rights organization in the Colonies, which aimed to abolish slavery.
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With the help of France, Spain, and other nations, the United States gains full independence from Great Britain.
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The Bill of Rights was established, giving American citizens basic rights, right to a fair trial, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment. However, many people, such as Blacks, Native Americans, and women weren't always protected under these laws.
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A federal law was passed in the U.S. Constitution stating that only slaves currently inside the U.S. could be traded, and that slaves could not be imported into the country from any other nation.
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The Indian Removal Act forces some 70,000 Indians to be relocated from there homes to move West of the Mississippi River, marking one of the biggest Bill of Rights violations in American History.
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President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the Union during the Civil War. After the Civil War ended, this helped create the 13th and 14th amendment, abolishing slavery and calling for a better distribution of human rights.
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The U.S. signs the Second Hague Convention, which helped define the laws in war. It helped protect civilians and P.O.W's and established mechanisms for peaceful resolution for international disputes.
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The Sedition Act of 1918 makes it illegal for Americans to criticize the government in any way. It was repealed on December 13 1920.
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The Nineteenth Amendment is added to the constitution, stating that both sexes are allowed to vote in the United States
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Following the Bombing of Pearl Harbor in the previous year, the government sends roughly over 100,000 Japanese-Americans into maximum-surveillance camps.
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The Civil Rights Act is passed, making discrimination and segregation of people by any sex, race, religion, or national origin.
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Following the September 11 attacks in various places across the country, Guantanamo Bay opens in Cuba under the U.S. government. Terrorist suspects are sent there in custody, usually without trial.
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The Supreme Court passes the rights of same-sex marriage into the Constitution nationwide.
