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Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a slave, went to trial to sue for his freedon in 1847. Ten years later, his case was brought to the Supreme Court and the court ruled slaves, as well as those who were free, could never become citizens of the United States. Scott stayed a slave, but this marked a turning point for the African Americans. -
Lincoln Assassination
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was assassinated in Ford's Theater while watching a play. The assassin was John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln died the next day and America mourned over the loss of such a great president. This was the first assassination of a U.S. president and Americans took it to heart. -
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act was passed by Congress as part of FDR's New Deal. The act was made to limit dangers in the modern American life, including old age, poverty, unemployment, and widows with children. This act paved the way for the Social Security system in today's society. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. Board of Education was a court case that overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson. The court ruled that having segregated schools was unequal. The ruling then led the way to the civil rights movement and essentially integration across the United States. This dramatically changed the way African Americans and whites treated each other. -
Gideon vs. Wainwright
In 1961, a burglary occured in Florida. Clarence Gideon was found near the crime scene and arrested. Gideon could not afford a lawyer and the Florida judge would not appoint him one. Gideon was found guilty and while in jail, he wrote a petition asking for the Supreme Court to hear his case and they did. The court ruled in his favor and claimed states must provide attorneys to criminal defendants who can not afford one. -
Civil Rights Act 1964
This civil rights act outlawed major discrimination against race, ethnicity, national and religious minorities, and women. It also gave all people the right to vote. The American minorities were thrilled and this was a large milestone for the United States. -
Watergate Affair
On the morning of June 17, 1972, several burglars were arrested inside the Watergate building in Washington D.C. The burglars were connected to President Richard Nixon and his reelection campaign. The burglars were attempting to wire the phone lines and steal secret documents for Nixon's campaign.Nixon was in on the whole scandal so he decided to resign from office before he was impeached. Americans were shocked and angry because presidents are supposed to be loyal and not cheaters. -
Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down this Wall" Speech
President Ronald Reagan delivered a speech, or a challenge, to Soviet leader Mikahil Gorbachev claiming, "If you seek peace... come here to this gate, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." This was a call for the reunification of East and West Berlin. Two years after the speech, the Germans tore down the wall and East and West Berlin were reunited. -
Clinton Impeachment
In 1995 President Bill Clinton began an affair with Monica Lewinsky. When the affair became public, Clinton denied having any sexual relations with Lewinsky. Tapes were recorded of Lewinsky claiming her and Clinton had an affair though. Clinton was then charged with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. Clinton was impeached and the American public was very disappointed in their president. -
9/11/01
9/11 Information There were four terrorist coordinated suicide attacks on the U.S. The World Trade Centers were hit by two planes and the Pentagon was hit by one. In the fourth plane, the hijackers were attacked by the passengers, but the plane crashed in a field and everyone died. This was the largest tragedy in the 21st century for Americans and it will never be forgotten.
