U.S. Government Timeline By evangelinanayberger Jun 15, 1215 Magna Carta sealed by King John of England Apr 19, 1775 American Revolution begins Jul 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence adopted by the Second Continental Congress Nov 15, 1777 Continental Congress adopts Articles of Confederation Mar 1, 1781 Articles of Confederation are fully ratified by all states Sep 3, 1783 Treaty of Paris signed Sep 17, 1787 U.S. Constitution signed by delegates at Constitutional Convention Jun 21, 1788 U.S. Constitution officially ratified Apr 30, 1789 George Washington inaugurated as first President of the United States. Dec 15, 1791 Bill of Rights ratified Feb 7, 1795 11th Amendment ratified Jun 15, 1804 12th Amendment ratified Apr 12, 1861 Civil War begins Jan 1, 1863 President Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation Period: 1865 to 1877 Reconstruction Era Apr 9, 1865 Civil War ends Dec 6, 1865 13th Amendment ratified Jul 9, 1868 14th Amendment ratified Feb 3, 1870 15th Amendment ratified Feb 3, 1913 16th Amendment ratified Apr 8, 1913 17th Amendment ratified Jan 16, 1919 18th Amendment ratified Aug 18, 1920 19th Amendment ratified Jan 23, 1933 20th Amendment ratified Dec 5, 1933 21st Amendment ratified Feb 27, 1951 22nd Amendment ratified
