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Oct 12, 1492
The Discovery of America by Columbus
Christopher Columbus first discovered America by trying to sail around the world to Asia. He led three ships named Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. They were headed to Asia to profit from gold, pearls, and spice, but instead they discovered America. -
The Settlement of Jamestown
Jamestown was discovered on May 13th, 1607, but was not settled until the next day May 14th. The early establishment suffered many problems from the native Powhatan Indians. They eventually began trading with one another to solve their dilemma. -
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The French and Indian War
The war was also given the name the Seven Years' War. It was started, because both the French and British desired more control over in North America. The French allied with their Native allies to fight the British and their allies. It ended with a peace treaty in Paris. -
The Boston Tea Party
During the night of the 16th Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty boarded three ships in the Boston harbor and threw 342 chests of tea into the Atlantic Ocean. This act pushed America and Britain closer to war. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. British troops were sent to collect colonial weapons when they ran into a local militia. The militia defeated 700 British soldiers in shocking victory that would boost morale in the war to come. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the document stating that the thirteen colonies of America would no longer be under British rule, but conjoined as 13 separate states known as the United States of America. -
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The Battle of Yorktown
This was the final Battle of the Revolutionary War which led to Britain's defeat. The American Militia had surrounded Yorktown on land while the French Naval Fleet controlled the water, which prevented any escape for the British forces. -
The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting held at the State House in Philadelphia, which laid the groundwork for the Constitution. -
The Invention of the Cotton Gin
This was the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney. His invention enhanced cotton production by speeding up the process that removed the seeds from the cotton fiber. -
The Alien and Sedition Acts
President John Adams signed this act as a law while America prepared for war with France. The acts inside the Sedition act are: An Act to Establish an Uniform Rule of Naturalization, An Act Concerning Aliens, An Act Respecting Alien Enemies, and An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was when the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory from France. It was a multi-month process for the treaty. The treaty was dated April 30th, signed May 2nd, and the territory was turned over in December. -
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The War of 1812
This war was caused by the two countries we have seen. Both Britain and France were in the middle of a war with each other and Britain blocked off America from trading with France. Eventually through a series of events the Americans went to war with Britain through Canada for their freedom once again. -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was when congress tried to defuse a problem with sectional and political rivalries in the state of Missouri upon their request to become a state where slavery would be allowed. At that time there were 22 states which had equal amounts of free states and slave states. -
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Andrew Jackson’s Election
This was a rematch between President Adams and Andrew Jackson. The previous election between the two went to President Adams, but this one went to Andrew Jackson. -
The Panic of 1837
This event was when a financial crisis occurred in the United States that made profits, prices, and wages shrink, while the unemployment rate went up. It lasted until about the mid 1840s. -
The Trail of Tears
This was when Cherokee had their rights taken away from them and were forced to move on the "Trail of Tears" by the governments of Georgia and the United States. -
The Invention of the Telegraph
The invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse was the first way to communicate electrically and was a turning point in electrical inventions. The first message was sent on this day. -
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The Mexican-American War
It was a war fought between the United Mexican States and the United States of America for/over the Texas Territory. -
The Compromise of 1850
This was when Senator Clay proposed ideas to avoid a crisis between the North and South. As part of this compromise the Fugitive Slave Act was amended and slavery was done away with in Washington, D.C. -
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The Firing on Fort Sumter
This was the first battle of the Civil War. The Confederate States attacked Fort Sumter and the United States Army retaliated, but would end up surrendering. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
This was the executive order from President Lincoln that changed the legal status of all the slaves in the south to free men and women. -
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13th, 14th, 15th Amendments
The newest amendments at the time are meant to protect colored people from becoming slaves. The 13th Amendment banned slavery and all involuntary service. The 14th Amendment defined a citizen as anyone born in or naturalized in the United States. The 15th Amendment prohibited government from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote based on color or race. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
This was when Confederate General Robert E. Lee finally surrendered and ended the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play while the Civil War was coming to a close. -
Andrew Johnson’s Impeachment
The House of Representatives impeached President Johnson for high crimes and misdemeanors and they eventually found eleven articles of impeachment against him. -
The Organization of Standard Oil Trust
John D. Rockefeller had created the largest oil refinery in the world at the time. The Standard Oil Trust streamlined production and logistics along with lowering costs. -
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The Pullman and Homestead Strikes
The Pullman Strike was after the company cut wages and people out of jobs. The Homestead strike was when there was and industrial lockout and an eventual battle between strikers and security agents. -
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The Spanish-American War
This was when the U.S. and Spain were at war to force Spain out of the Americas and resulted in the U.S. obtaining territory in the Pacific and Latin America. -
Theodore Roosevelt Becomes President
President Roosevelt became the 26th President of the U.S. after the assassination of his predecessor. -
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The Invention of the Electric Light, Telephone, and Airplane
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, but was actually the first one to patent the invention. The electric light was invented by Thomas Edison, but much like Mr. Bell he was the first to have it patented. (1979) The airplane was invented by the Wright brothers and was first flown in December.