Important Events in the US Government

  • 1215

    Magna Carta SIgned

    Magna Carta SIgned
    The first document put into writing that stated the king and government was not above the law. Prevented the king from doing a lot of law breaking acts.
  • Colonies Formed

    Colonies Formed
    Set the stage for the United States of America.
  • Mayflower compact

    Mayflower compact
    First example of a self-government that we know of
  • American Revolution

    American Revolution
    A war for the colonies independence against the British Empire. The colonies eventually won and drove Britain out.
  • Articles of Confederation

    Articles of Confederation
    Labeled as the "first constitution of the United States" this was written and adopted in 1781. But, due to the federal government not having enough power or money and Shay's rebellion, it was dissolved and replaced with the Constitution we use today.
  • Shay's Rebellion

    Shay's Rebellion
    A series of violent attacks on government properties in Massachusetts due to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Led to the removal of the Articles of Confederation.
  • Constitution signed and ratified

    Constitution signed and ratified
    Signed by 39 delegates out of 55 delegates. The ones that did not sign cited the lack of a bill of rights.
  • 5th amendment ratified

    People use this so they don't have to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime. This one is used a lot
  • 9th amendment ratified

    The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
  • 10th amendment ratified

    The powers not given to the United States by the Constitution, not prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
  • 4th amendment ratified

    Makes it to where people can't be searched or have things seized without a good reason. very nice to have :D
  • 1st amendment ratified

    The first amendment protects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the ability to petition the government.
  • 7th amendment ratified

    In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
  • 8th amendment ratified

    Excessive bail is not require, no excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment.
  • 6th amendment ratified

    Gives the accused right to a fair, speedy and public trial where the crime occured.
  • 2nd Amendment ratified

    " A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to bear arms, shall not be infringed."
    What a lot of pro-gun people cite.
  • 3rd Amendment ratified

    "No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
    They didn't like how the British government made them house British soldiers so they made it to where citizens don't have to house any soldier without consent.
  • 11th amendment ratified

    The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced to prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
  • Marbury v Madison

    Marbury v Madison
    The Court found that Madison not giving Marbury writ of commission was illegal but did not order him to.
  • 12th amendment ratified

    Very long description but basically, the person having the greatest number of votes shall be President etc.
  • War of 1812

    War of 1812
    A byproduct of a bigger conflict between Britain and France (again) one reason it was started was because of British impressment on American seamen.
  • McCulloch v Maryland

    McCulloch v Maryland
    The Court ruled that Congress had implied powers to create the Second Bank of the United States and Maryland did not have the power to tax it.
  • Gibbons v Ogden

    Gibbons v Ogden
    The Court ruled that states could not enact any legislation that interfered with Congress's right to regulate commerce among states.
  • Dred Scott v. Sandford

    Dred Scott v. Sandford
    The question in this pre-Civil War case was whether Congress had the constitutional power to prohibit slavery in free territories. The second question asked if the constitution gave African Americans the right to sure in federal court.
  • 13th amendment ratified

    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude is legal unless it is as a punishment for a crime where the party was duly convicted.
  • 14th amendment ratified

    A person born or naturalized into the United States is a citizen and states can not pass any legislation that would abridge the privileges' and immunities of citizens.
  • 15th amendment ratified

    The right of US citizens to vote shall not be denied on the account of race, color or pervious condition of servitude.
  • 16th amendment ratified

    Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes on income no matter where it comes from.
  • 17th amendment ratified

    Is the baselines for the Senate, two from each state elected by the people and they serve for 6 years.
  • 18th amendment ratified

    The amendment which prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol was later Repealed with the 21st amendment.
  • 19th amendment ratified

    Voting rights for women
  • 21st amendment is adopted

    Prohibition amendment, the sale and transportation of any alcoholic item is prohibited.
  • 20th amendment ratified

    Guidelines for term ends, terms of president and vice president end at noon on the 20th of January and terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January.
  • Korematsu v. United States

    Korematsu v. United States
    The court rules that wartime internment of American citizens of Japanese descent was constitutional,
  • 22nd amendment ratified

    No one shall be elected to be president more than twice.
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education
    This supreme court case asked if racially segregated public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause.
    The court ruled unanimously, stating that state laws requiring or allowing racially segregated schools violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.
  • Cooper v. Aaron

    Cooper v. Aaron
    The Court decided that states cannot nullify decisions of the federal court.
    the pictures were interesting
  • 23rd amendment ratified

    Grants the electors in the Electoral College as though it were a state, though the district cannot have more electors than the least-populous state.
  • Engel v Vitale

    Engel v Vitale
    School initiated-prayer in the public school system violates the First Amendment
  • Gideon v. Wainwright

    Gideon v. Wainwright
    The court ruled that indigent defendants must be provided representation without charge.
  • 24th amendment ratified

    This amendment stops the ability for poll stations to charge a poll tax.
  • Miranda v. Arizona

    Miranda v. Arizona
    This court case ruled that police are required by federal law to inform people in custody of their rights to remain silent and to an attorney.
  • 25th amendment ratified

    The line of succession if the president dies. If president dies the vice president takes his spot, if there is a vacancy for vice president then the president nominates someone for the position.
  • Tinker v. Des Moines

    Tinker v. Des Moines
    Students do not leave their rights at the schoolhouse door
  • 26th amendment ratified

    26th amendment ratified
    anyone the age of 18 or older can vote and can not be denied.
  • Roe v. Wade

    Roe v. Wade
    This court case prevented force pregnancies and save many lives. This was later turned in 2022.
  • Goss v. Lopez

    Goss v. Lopez
    The Court ruled that students are entitled to certain due process rights.
  • Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

    Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
    The Supreme Court concluded that institutions of higher learning could use race as a factor of the admissions process as long as "fixed quotas" are not used.
  • 27th amendment ratified

    No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.
  • Board of Education v Earls

    Board of Education v Earls
    Random drug tests of students involved in extracurricular activities do not violate the fourth amendment.
  • Roe v. Wade Overturned

    Roe v. Wade Overturned
    During the summer of this year, the Supreme Court, overturned Roe v. Wade (1978) and concluded that abortion laws should be held to the states.