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The Virginia Company establishes the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown, Virginia. Marked the beginning of sustained English colonization, introducing representative government (House of Burgesses, 1619) and a destructive pattern of conflict with Native Americans and dependence on tobacco and indentured, then enslaved, labor.
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The Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, on July 4. Formally announced the 13 colonies' separation from Great Britain, articulating the foundational Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and government by consent that would define American political identity.
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Delegates meet in Philadelphia to draft a new framework for government, signed on September 17. Created the enduring structure of the U.S. federal government (three branches, checks and balances). Its ratification (1788) and the subsequent addition of the Bill of Rights (1791) established the world's oldest surviving national written constitution.
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President Thomas Jefferson purchases approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France for $15 million. Doubled the size of the United States, fueled westward expansion, strengthened the concept of manifest destiny, and increased presidential power.
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A war between the Union (North) and the seceding Confederate states (South) over slavery, states' rights, and the future of the Union.
The nation's deadliest conflict. Preserved the Union, led to the abolition of slavery (13th Amendment, 1865), and centralized federal power, but left unresolved issues of racial equality during Reconstruction. -
The Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads meet at Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by rail. Revolutionized the national economy, facilitated mass westward migration, accelerated the decline of Plains Indian cultures, and integrated national markets.
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A brief conflict between the U.S. and Spain over Cuban independence.
Established the U.S. as a global imperial power, acquiring territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and marked its emergence onto the world stage. -
The collapse of the U.S. stock market in October 1929 triggers a worldwide economic depression.
Led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and disillusionment. Catalyzed President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal," which vastly expanded the role of the federal government in the economy and social welfare. -
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941), the U.S. enters WWII, fighting in both the Pacific and European theaters.
Ended the Great Depression, made the U.S. the world's dominant economic and military superpower, and ushered in the nuclear age. The war catalyzed social changes, including the migration of African Americans and women entering the workforce en masse. -
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (banning discrimination) and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (protecting voting rights).
The most transformative legislative achievements of the Civil Rights Movement, ending legal segregation and dismantling Jim Crow laws, though the struggle for racial equality continued. -
NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the moon on July 20.
Culminated the Space Race, demonstrated U.S. technological and ideological supremacy during the Cold War, and represented a monumental achievement for humanity. -
President Richard Nixon resigns on August 9 amid impeachment proceedings for his role in covering up a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Created a profound crisis of confidence in government, increased scrutiny of the presidency, and underscored the role of a free press in holding power accountable. -
Terrorists from al-Qaeda hijack four planes, crashing them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania (9/11).
The deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Led to the "War on Terror," invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, sweeping domestic security measures (USA PATRIOT Act), and reshaped U.S. foreign policy and national identity for decades. -
Barack Obama is elected the first African American president amid the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression.
A historic milestone in the nation's racial history. His administration responded to the crisis with a major stimulus and the Affordable Care Act (2010), while deep political polarization intensified. -
Donald Trump, a political outsider, wins the presidency, defeating Hillary Clinton while losing the popular vote.
Reflected and exacerbated deep political and cultural divisions. His presidency was marked by a disruptive style, "America First" policies, and two impeachments. -
In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court rules that the right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples.
A landmark victory for the LGBTQ+ movement, legalizing marriage equality in all 50 states and reflecting rapid social change. -
A dual crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic leads to lockdowns and over one million U.S. deaths, while the murder of George Floyd sparks massive nationwide protests against police brutality.
The pandemic exposed social inequalities and transformed daily life. The protests ignited the largest movement in U.S. history, focusing national discourse on systemic racism. -
A mob of President Trump's supporters, seeking to overturn the 2020 election results, storms the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's victory.
An unprecedented attack on the peaceful transfer of power, highlighting the dangers of political violence and misinformation in the digital age. -
In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the Supreme Court overturns the constitutional right to abortion, returning the issue to individual states. One of the most significant rollbacks of a constitutional right in modern history, transforming the legal and political landscape overnight.
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Donald Trump wins the November presidential election, defeating incumbent Joe Biden. He is inaugurated for a second, non-consecutive term on January 20, 2025.
An historic event unprecedented marking the return to power of a previously defeated and twice-impeached president. His second term is poised to deepen the policies of his first administration (on borders, energy, and trade), continue the reshaping of the judiciary, and confront unprecedented legal tests.