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Constitution Ratified
The Constitution became the official governing document of the United States after New Hampshire ratified it, being the ninth out of thirteen states.
Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17th. But it wasn't until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine states. The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries. -
Washington's Farewell Address
A letter written to the country after Washington's 8 year presidency that warned Americans about political dangers they should avoid to preserve their values.
32 pages long, printed in Philadelphia's American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796 -
Madison vs. Marbury
Established judicial review in the United States after Madison refused to take Marbury's commission to him.
Supreme court first declared an act of congress unconstitutional, It established the doctrine of judicial review written by Chief Justice John Marshall on February 24, 1803. President John Adams had made many federal appointments before his term ended. -
Louisiana Purchase
Land deal between United States and France where the U.S. bought 827,000 sq. ft. of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
First American expedition to cross the western part of the U.S. It began in Missouri and went all the way to the Pacific coast, as ordered by Thomas Jefferson. -
War of 1812
Fought between United States and Britain in order to expand American territory. Started June 18, 1812 and ended December 24, 1814 -
Treaty of Ghent
The peace treaty that ended the War of 1812. Signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The treaty between U.S. and Spain that gave Florida to the U.S. and established the boundary between the states and New Spain. -
Monroe Doctrine
U.S. policy of opposing European colonialism and remain isolated of European countries. President Monroe first presented doctrine during his State of the Union address on December 2, 1823 -
Indian Removal Act
The law that authorized the president to negotiate with southern Native American tribes for their removal to federal territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their lands. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Established border over British North American colonies and American colonies in Canada. Signed August 9, 1842 -
Texas Annexation
Annexation of the Republic of Texas into the U.S. as the 28th state. During presidency of James K Polk -
Mexican-American War
After the annexation of Texas, James K. Polk sent troops to Mexico on a mission over disputed territory. -
California Gold Rush
The gold found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill brought 300,000 people to California from the United States and other countries. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American war and added 525,000 sq. mi. (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) -
Gadsden Purchase
Land purchased in southern New Mexico and Arizona in order to build a transcontinental railroad. -
Secession of South Carolina
First confederate state to secede after Lincoln was elected. Had also threatened to secede in 1828 over tariffs. -
Civil War Begins
War fought from 1861-1865 between the Union and Confederate states over representation and federal and state power. -
Purchase of Alaska
Purchased from Russia for $7.2 million by William Seward for about 2 cents an acre. -
Burlingame-Seward Treaty
Landmark treaty between U.S. and China to establish friendly relations. -
Annexation of Hawaii
because the nationalism caused by the Spanish-American War, the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898 at the urging of President William McKinley. Hawaii was made a territory in 1900 -
Treaty of Versailles
Peace treaty that ended World War I between Germany and the Allied powers. signed in Paris, France -
Potsdam Treaty
Treaty that ended World War II. Stalin, Churchill, and Truman met in Potsdam, Germany to negotiate terms for the end of WWII from July 17, 1945- August 2, 1945
