-
The Bicycle was Invented
On June 12, 1817, the first bicycle was seen being used. The bicycle played a big part in women’s rights movement. The bicycle provided freedom, new clothing, new opportunities, etc., for women. -
The YMCA was Founded
On June 6, 1844, the YMCA was founded. It was founded in London, England, in hopes to help the current social issues within big cities. Like many other settlement houses, churches, and community organizations they only wanted to help people. -
Carrie Nation was Born
On November 25, 1846, Carrie Nation was born. Carrie Nation was a big supporter of temperance movement. She was known for carrying a hatchet and destroying bars. -
The Pacific Railroad Act.
The Pacific Railroad Act was an important part of the creation of railroads. After president Abraham Lincoln signed the act into a law, the federal government then gave the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific Railroad permission to start building railroads. The railroads later became one of the greatest USA technological achievements. -
The Morrill Land Grant Act.
The Morrill Land Grant Act gave land to the western state’s government. This land was either sold(the money earned went towards the formation of education),or used to build schools. This provided opportunities to many different people, including farmers, working people, etc. -
Freemen’s Bureau.
Freemen’s Bureau was an important factor during the reconstruction period. Freemen’s Bureau provided food, clothing, jobs, medical care, education, etc, to poor people or newly free slaves. This aid made a huge difference, especially for the African American people who were transitioning into American society. -
The 13th Amendment.
The 13th Amendment was established to abolish slavery and involuntary services. The only exception to this amendment was punishment for a crime. But overall, the ban of all slavery was an important part of moving forward into a “reconstructed” country. -
Grandfather Clause
On January 1,1867 a clause was created which stated that you could get around the literacy test and the poll tax restrictions, if your grandfather could vote when he was alive. The grandfather clause was used to prevent freemen from voting and also help poor, illiterate white males to vote. In the state of Alabama, 83% of white males of voting age, registered to vote. -
The USA bought Alaska
On March 30, 1867, the USA bought Alaska from Russia. America paid 7.2 million dollars for the land. It would later become a resourceful land with gold, oil, fish, copper, coal, and timber. -
The 14th Amendment.
The 14th Amendment guaranteed the rights and security of all people. This amendment provided newly freed slaves or African Americans citizenship and equal rights. This was important because it included people, treated people equally, and brought the people closer together. -
George Westinghouse Makes Railway Travel Safer.
George Westinghouse helped make railway travel safer by inventing a brake system for the trains. Originally, the whole train was connected to the same brake which caused cars to run into each other. His invention, the air brake, gave each car their own brake which made trains safer and more efficient. -
The Record of 10 Miles in 12 Hours.
The Record of 10 Miles in 12 Hours was a big accomplishment for the Central Pacific. The group of Chinese workers set the best time for construction of railroad in history, at that time. In the end, winning the race against the Union Pacific Railroad. -
Statue of Liberty Opens
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty officially opened. The Statue of Liberty was gifted to America from France. This was in celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. -
Ellis Island Opens
On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island officially opened. People moved from all different parts of Europe, Chine, etc., to America. People came to America for multiple reasons, like new opportunities or escaping old situations, etc. -
General Electric was Founded
On April 15, 1892, General Electric was founded. It was founded by J.P Morgan, a financier. This consolidated the steel industry, in March of 1901 the U.S. Steel Industry was formed. In 2011, the U.S. steel industry was worth $103 billion. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
On May 18, 1896, the September Court gave their verdict about the Plessy vs. Ferguson case. A man by the name of Homer Adolph Plessy, who was 1/8 black, sat the white people cart of the train. He let everyone know he was part black, in hopes to challenge the law and make a point. Plessy was arrested and on the final day of his case, the Supreme Court ruling concluded that segregation was legal as long as the public areas were kept equal. -
First Subway
On September 1, 1897, the first subway was opened in Boston. The Boston subways were a similar model to the subways that were in London. Soon after, New York also had this form of public transportation. -
The USS Maine Sinks
On February 15, 1898, the American battle ship by the name of the USS Maine, sank. There was an explosion caused by the materials that were held in the bottom of the ship. Even though this was not Spain’s fault, America blamed it on Spain and caused a spark for a war. -
Congress Declares War on Spain
On April 25, 1898, Congress declared war on Spain. America was mad about the sinking of the Maine, the way that the Cuban people were being treated, and they were worried about their sugar plantations. All of these reasons caused America to declare war on Spain, which would end up being an easy win. -
The Battle of San Juan Hill
On July 1, 1898, the battle of San Juan Hill took place. Theodore Roosevelt led a volunteer group of people known as the Rough Riders to the battle. The victory of the Americans would be heavily known throughout history. -
Franz Ferdinand's Assasination
On June 28, 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assonated. He was the Leader of the Austro-Hungarian's Empire. The event started World War I. -
The Panama Canal
On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal was finished. This project cost more than $350 million. It was a big accomplishment, now traveling for ships would be a lot easier. -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania ship sank. The sinking caused about 1200 deaths. This lead to the end of the "sinking on sight," even though it started up again two years later. -
The 18th Amendment
On January 29, 1919, the 18th amendment was ratified. This amendment banned the making, selling, and transportation of alcohol. Overall, this law was not supported by the people and was later unratified. -
The 19th Amendment Passes
On June 4, 1919, the 19th amendment was passed. The 19th amendment allowed women the right to vote. This was a huge accomplishment for women in America. -
Illinois Grants Women Rights
On June 17, 1919, Illinois’s took a vote. This vote would late then grant the amendment that allowed women the right to vote. Illinois because the first state east of Mississippi to pass the amendment. -
The KKK’s Parade
On August 8, 1925, the KKK had a parade in Washington D.C. This parade was nonviolent and consisted of about 30,000 people. The 1920s were the most popular years for the KKK, withholding the most member than any other years. -
Hooverville
On March 4, 1929, the name Hooverville became popular. A “Hooverville” was a village of homeless unemployed people. The people named the villages this because they blamed president Hoover for the Great Depression. -
Black Tuesday
October 29,1929 is known as Black Tuesday. On this day, America’s stock market collapsed. In result, the nation spiraling into the Great Depression. -
Smoot Hawley Tariff Act
On June 17, 1930, the Smoot Hawley Tariff Act was ratified. This act increased international trading prices by 50%. This act was know as Hoover’s greatest mistake ever made. -
The New Deal
On March 9, 1933, the New Deal was reviewed and turned down. Though the act didn’t end completely until 1939, the overall support of the act was negative. Parts of the act were used to conduct laws that were to help America, like the Fair Labor Laws, but the act as a whole was turned down. -
The 21st Amendment
On December 3, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified. This amendment repealed the 18th Amendment. Overall ending the prohibition and unpopular ban of alcohol. -
The Dust Bowl
April 14, 1935, was the first day of a period known as the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl was a time of drought, servers storms, and damaged land. This lasted for about six year, many people were unable to live in their homes and were forced to leave. -
Germany Invades Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Later on, France was taken over by Germany. This was to be said the start of World War Two. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked US Pearl Harbor. This was the cause of 2887 US men’s death. And because of this event US felt compelled to join the war. -
Japan was Warned About the Bombs
On August 1,1945, the US flew over Japan and dropped containers of warnings. The leaflet warnings stated that people who receive the note might be affected by the bomb. These people were encouraged to leave. -
Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
On August 8,1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The bomb was hoped to make Japan surrender. But Japan refused to surrender. -
Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
On August 9, 1945, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Two days later, Japan surrendered. And the war was soon to be officially over. -
End of WWII
On September 2,1945, the end of WWII was officially over. The victory over Japan was a success. And with time, people were put to trial for crimes against humanity, peace, and war. -
Start of the Korean War
On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began. This is often referred to as the forgotten war. This all started because North Korea invaded South Korea in hopes to spread communism. -
Ellis Island Closes
On November 12, 1954, Ellis Island closed. Ellis Island allows 12 million people to pass through, into America, from 1892 to 1954. Today, about 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry back to Ellis Island. -
Hawaii and Alaska Become States
On January 3, 1959, Alaska because the 49th USA state. Later on that year, August 21, Hawaii became the 50th USA state. This was a good thing for America, but many people were upset. -
First Man in Space
On April 12, 1961, the first man was sent into space. Yuri Gagarin was sent from the Soviet Union to space. He orbited the Earth once, then returned home. -
First American in Space
On May 5, 1961, the first American was sent into space. Alan Shepard was send on the Freedom 7 spacecraft into space. Then, ten years later being the fifth man to walk on the moon. -
The Beginning of the Berlin Wall
August 13, 1961 was the starting date of the Berlin Wall. This was constructed in order to keep West Berlin enclosed from Germany and Eat Berlin. It took about three months for the wall to be built, but then was torn down in 1989. -
The Civil Rights Act.
The Civil Rights Act played a dominate role in ending segregation, in public, between people of all race, color, sex, or national origin. Equal opportunities were given to all people in schools, places of employment, etc. The act also prohibited discrimination during a jury selection. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
On August 5, 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin Incident happened. This was a major event in the involvement of America in the Vietnam War. It occurred when North Vietnam attacked the USS Maddox and USSC ships. -
The Tet Offensive
On January 30, 1968, the Tet Offensive occurred. This was a series of attacks from Vietcong and NVA. Resulting in about 58,000 American soldier deaths. -
The My Lai Massacre
On March 16, 1968, the My Lai Massacre occurred. This was a mass murdering of South Vietnamese citizens. American soldiers had killed unarmed and innocent women, children, and men. -
First Man on the Moon
On July 20, 1969, the first man walked on the moon. Neil Armstrong, from America, flew on the Gemini 8 mission to the moon. Famously saying, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." -
The Last US Troops Left Vietnam
On January 27, 1973, the last recorded American soldiers left Vietnam. After ten years of the American troops present, the war was coming to an end. This was considered a loss for America and South Vietnam.
