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Charles Grandison Finney's First Camp Meetings in New York
Beginning in 1820, Charles Grandison Finney began holding giant camp meetings in New York as part of a movement called the Second Great Awakening. At these meetings he pushed and encouraged the implementation of many reforms to the Christian religion and to society. He was additionally a great proponent of slavery and women's rights. The picture is of Charles Grandison Finney. -
The Alamo
Santa Anna defeated the American defenders of the Alamo, killing 187 or 188, sources differ, Americans including David Crockett. The Texas rebels would "remember the Alamo," and come back to defeat Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, and Mexico was forced to recognize Texas' independence. Texas then became the Lone Star Republic. This picture depicts the battle of the Alamo. -
Texas' First Call for Union
Texas' Congress first called for union with the United States--however, the Senate refused. Because Texas wanted to be a slave state, and adding another slave state would disrupt the balance in the Senate, so Jackson and Van Buren refused Texas -
Letters on the Equality of the Sexes Published
Sarah Grimké published the Letters on the Equality of the Sexes in 1838, advocating for the equality of women in every aspect of life. The picture is the cover of the original published letters. -
Brook Farm is Established
On this date, Brook Farm in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, was purchased by a group of Transcendentalists whose aim was to create a new model of society, and form a utopian community. This was one response to the massive changes brought about by the shift to an industrialized market economy. This was the first secular communal facility established. This photo is of Brook Farm. -
100,000 Northerners in AASS
Abolitionism was the biggest reform movement in the first half of the 19th century, and by 1843, 100,000 northerners were aligned with the American Anti-Slavery Society. -
Congress annexed Texas
Congress annexed Texas in March of 1845, days before James K. Polk took office. Congress then forged an agreement with Britain to divide Oregon at the 49th parallel, which restored the slave state-free state balance in the Senate. -
The Peace Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Signed
The Peace Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, under which Mexico confirmed the annexation of Texas and further ceded California as well as several other places that would later become states. This picture is of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Declaration of Sentiments Published
At the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and many others wrote and published the Declaration of Sentiments. This was modeled closely after the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed equality for women. This picture is of the Declaration of Sentiments. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
The Kansas-Nebraska Act formalized the idea of popular sovereignty, meaning that white residents of states could decide for themselves whether the state should allow slavery. This act also led to the creation of the Republican party. -
Republican Party Ran its First Presidential Candidate
The Republican John C. Frémont, from California, picked up 39% of the vote, all of it from the North and West, and lost to the Democrat James Buchanan. This picture is of John C. Frémont. -
Public Schools
By 1860, all Northern states had established public schools. Ameria saw the growth of compulsory, state-funded schools. This was one of the major reforms of the 19th century, making schooling available for everyone. However, many states in the south were still without public schools. -
Lincoln Takes Office
Lincoln took office on this date. By the time he began his presidency, seven states had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America and the stage was set for the fighting to begin, which it did when Southern troops fired upon the Union garrison at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. This picture is of Lincoln. -
Kansas Joins the U.S.
Kansas eventually joins the U.S. as a free state, but by this time it is too late, and the Civil War has already started. -
Women's Christian Temperance Union Founded
Frances Willard founded the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which would be one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the United States by the end of the 19th century. -
Women's Suffrage Granted
Women across America were finally allowed the right to vote, notably 50 years after slavery was abolished.
