American Dream Timelines

  • The colonies begin to be settled by the British.

    The colonies begin to be settled by the British.
  • Slavery begins in the Colonies.

    Slavery begins in the Colonies.
  • The French and Indian War begins in America.

    The French and Indian War begins in America.
  • The first Continental Congress is held in Philadelphia.

    The first Continental Congress is held in Philadelphia.
  • The Louisiana Purchase occurs, buying a big chunk of land from Napoleon.

    The Louisiana Purchase occurs, buying a big chunk of land from Napoleon.
  • The War of 1812 begins in America.

    The War of 1812 begins in America.
  • Andrew Jackson is elected president.

    Andrew Jackson is elected president.
  • The Fugitive Slave Act is passed, much to the chagrin of Abolitionists inspired by Uncle Tom's Cabin

    The Fugitive Slave Act is passed, much to the chagrin of Abolitionists inspired by Uncle Tom's Cabin
  • The Dred Scott case was a big hit to abolitionists across the country.

    The Dred Scott case was a big hit to abolitionists across the country.
  • Abraham Lincoln was elected President as tensions between the north and south grew.

    Abraham Lincoln was elected President as tensions between the north and south grew.
  • The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner is published, a major literary work that influenced many works down the line.

    The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner is published, a major literary work that influenced many works down the line.
  • Black Tuesday marks the crash of the stock market, spiraling the country into the largest depression it had ever seen.

    Black Tuesday marks the crash of the stock market, spiraling the country into the largest depression it had ever seen.
  • The first concentration camps are started in Germany, beginning arguably the most atrocious period in world history.

    The first concentration camps are started in Germany, beginning arguably the most atrocious period in world history.
  • Prohibition is repealed, allowing some of the greatest writers of the 20th and 21st century to imbibe and produce great works.

    Prohibition is repealed, allowing some of the greatest writers of the 20th and 21st century to imbibe and produce great works.
  • Margaret Mitchell publishes Gone with the Wind, which would go on to become my mom's favorite book.

    Margaret Mitchell publishes Gone with the Wind, which would go on to become my mom's favorite book.
    Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
  • The institution of a national minimum wage at the close of the Great Depression helps to alleviate the effects of poverty.

    The institution of a national minimum wage at the close of the Great Depression helps to alleviate the effects of poverty.
  • The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, which awakes the sleeping giant and brings the USA into the fold of WWII.

    The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, which awakes the sleeping giant and brings the USA into the fold of WWII.
  • The New York Times publishes their best sellers list, which becomes a major authority in Literature over time.

    The New York Times publishes their best sellers list, which becomes a major authority in Literature over time.
  • The first atomic bomb is detonated in New Mexico test site, only a few dozen miles from where my parents were nine months before my birth.

    The first atomic bomb is detonated in New Mexico test site, only a few dozen miles from where my parents were nine months before my birth.
    This had major ramifications on the future of the world, as mutually assured destruction and the threat of nuclear winter scared the crap out of everybody from the sixties onward.
  • Fifty representatives gather to form the United Nations as a collective effort to avoid or swiftly end conflict like WWII.

    Fifty representatives gather to form the United Nations as a collective effort to avoid or swiftly end conflict like WWII.
  • J.D. Salinger publishes The Catcher in the Rye, a foray into the prostitution scams of New York City.

    J.D. Salinger publishes The Catcher in the Rye, a foray into the prostitution scams of New York City.
  • Theodore Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, publishes Horton Hears a Who!

    Theodore Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, publishes Horton Hears a Who!