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Buying Alaska
Russia gave a offer for America in 1859 for the sale of Alaska because Russia didn't really want it but it was delayed because of the Civil War. After the Secretary of State William Steward took the offer and made the Alaska purchase which would give us the 50 states we have today. -
Great Chicago Fire
The fire started in the O'Leary's by a cow some say but that was never determined and lasted for 2 days. The fire killed around 300 people, destroyed about 17000 structures, and left an estimated 100000 people homeless and would impact the U.S by making building not all be made out of wood and garbage collectors. -
Finished Statue of Liberty
The statue of liberty was a gift from France and was originally known as Liberty enlightening the world and was built in New York as a symbol of independence. This was designed by a French man who would later become famous for the Eiffel Tower. -
Johnstown Flood
At 3:10 a dam on top of a hill burst from no maintenance and unleashed a flood on Johnstown. After the flood Clara Barton and led relief with Red Cross to Johnstown and it impacted America by making new laws about safety checks on things. -
First Olympic games
Europe brought back the Olympics because they were fascinated by the Greek's so a French man suggested bringing the games back. The games were first played in Athens with only 13 countries playing in 43 events but only men could compete. This impacted America by being a major event where many countries would come together still today and compete. -
Annexing Hawaii
A man named Sanford B. Dole wanted to Annex Hawaii but President Cleveland denied it and sent someone to restore the queen. Then the Spanish-American War broke out but with the use of pearl harbor the Annexation was approved and later would become the 50th state. -
Newsie Strike
The newsies decided to strike against the newspaper businesses, The World and The Journal, in New York because the businesses decided to give the kids the newspapers for 60 cents. The strike made the newspaper businesses sales drop so the businesses decided to make a deal with the newsies by paying for the papers the newsies couldn't sell. This impacted the U.S by inspiring people to go on strike and stop child labor later on. -
Great San Francisco Earthquake
The earthquake happened in San Francisco hence the name and it caused a fire afterward. The reason this earthquake did so much damage was because of the fire because the firefighters couldn't access water to fight the fires because the earthquake messed up the water mains. This impacted the U.S to make San Francisco better and grow in population elsewhere. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire happened in Manhattan when a fire started in a rag bin. So many people died because there was only one elevator was working, they couldn't get through the stairwells because the doors were blocking them, the firefighters ladders only reached the 7th floor when the fire was on the 8th and the fire escape was small. This impacted the U.S by making it easier to get out and no smoking zones and better firetrucks. -
Panama Canal
America wanted a faster way to move warships and trade to the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic so when the French decided to give up America took the opportunity. America asked Columbia to make room for the canal but they refused to sign a treaty so America forced them to do let them and while doing so made Panama independent.