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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Description: The Magna Carta was a Treaty signed by King John of England to limit his power and make peace. Why it's important to U.S. History: The Magna Carta is one of the most important documents in history. It established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, and it guarantees the rights of individuals.
Fun Fact: Magna Carta means 'The Great Charter.' -
Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus sailed to America
Description: In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue to America with 3 ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Why it's important in U.S. History: Christopher Columbus' journeys marked the beginning of centuries. He was dedicated and never gave up on the people. Fun Fact: Christopher Columbus didn't plan to come to the America's. His original plan was to find a direct water route from Europe to Asia, but instead, he accidentally stumbled upon the America's. -
Oct 31, 1517
Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther)
Description: Martin Luther wanted to challenge the Catholic Church, although he wanted to make changes prior to going against it. Why it's important in U.S. History: The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement. The main goal of the Protestant Reformation was to reform the beliefs and practices of the aromas Catholic Church. Many historians say that it signaled the beginning of the modern era. -
Jamestown founded
Description: Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in America. Soon later, Virginia was named the 1st of the 13 colonies. Why it's important in U.S. History: Jamestown was important because it was the 1st successful English colony in North America. It is also considered a success because it survived. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
Description: The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first form of government in the new world for England. Why it's important in U.S. History: The Virginia House of Burgesses is important because the ideas and leaders from this House helped begin the Revolutionary War. -
Mayflower Compact
Description: The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document in America. Why it's important in U.S. History: The Mayflower Compact was important because it was the first document to establish self-government in the New World. -
The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
Description: The French and Indian War was also known as the 7 years war. The British and the French were fighting over Native American land which started taxes and later led to the American Revolution. Why it's important in U.S. History: The War provided Great Britain enormous territorial gains in North America, but disagreement over the future frontier policy and paying the war's expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution. -
Stamp Act
Description: The British Government placed a tax on paper, playing cards, newspapers, etc. The colonists were forced to pay taxes on these things . Prompted the phrase. "No Taxation Without Representation." Why it's important in U.S. History: The Stamp Act caused "No Taxation Without Representation." -
Townshend Acts (June 15, 1767- July 2, 1767)
Description: The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government on the American colonies. They placed new taxes on imports of paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. Why it's important in U.S. History: The Townshend Acts allowed soldiers to stay in the colonists homes without consent. -
Boston Massacre
Description: The Boston Massacre was a street fight between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Why it's important in U.S. History: British troops fired on American civilians. -
Boston Tea Party
Description: Colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor because they didn't want a tax on tea. Why it's important in U.S. History: Americans dump tea into the Boston Harbor which gets the British mad. -
Intolerable Acts
Description: The Intolerable Acts were set to punish the colonists of Massachusetts for their confrontation in the Boston Tea Party protest regarding changes in taxation by the British to the harm of most colonial goods. Why it's important in U.S. History: The Intolerable Acts were the last straw before revolution. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
Description: The battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired just after dawn in Lexington, Massachusetts. The battle of Lexington and Concord were also known as "The Shots Heard Around the World." Why it's important in U.S. History: The first shots of the American Revolution were at the battle of Lexington and Concord. -
Declaration of Independence
Description: The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of The United States. It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies declaring independence from British rule. A group of men came together in the summer of 1778 to find ways to become independent from Great Britain. Why it's important in U.S. History: The Declaration of Independence listed the grievances and problems they had with Britain. -
Battle of Saratoga (September 19, 1777- October 17, 1777)
Description: The battle of Saratoga was known as the turning point of the Revolutionary War. 5,895 British Hessian troops surrendered their arms. Why it's important in U.S. History: The battle of Saratoga was important because it convinced France of America's strengths and the French soon later joined the battle to help. -
Battle of Yorktown (September 28, 1781- October 19, 1781)
Description: With a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, General George Washington began a siege which was known as the battle of Yorktown. The Battle of Yorktown is the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. Why it's important in U.S. History: The British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown signified the end of the American Revolutionary War. -
U.S. Constitution
Description: The U.S. Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws. It guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. The U.S. Constitution consists of 27 constitutional amendments. Why it's important in U.S. History: Without the Constitution, The United States would not be what it is today. The government works with the Constitution. The Constitution is what made us free. -
Industrial Revolution in America
Description: Before the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing was often done in people's homes, using hand tools or basic machines. The Industrial Revolution was a change to powered, special-purpose machines, factories and mass production. Soon, the production of textiles was moved from homes to factories. Why it's important to U.S. History: The Industrial Revolution also improved systems of transportation, communication and banking. -
Gold Rush (January 24, 1848- 1855)
Description: Miners extracted more than 750,000 pounds of gold during the California Gold Rush. The news of gold brought almost 300,000 people to California from the rest of The United States of America. Why it's important in U.S. History: The 1848 Gold Rush is the most recognized Gold Rush in American history. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Description: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was officially titled the Treaty of peace, friendship, limits and settlement between The United States of America and the Mexican Republic. It is the oldest treaty still in force between The United States and Mexico. Why it's important to U.S. History: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War in favor of The United States. The Rio Grande was recognized as America's southern boundary. -
Abraham Lincoln was President (March 4, 1861- April 14, 1865)
Description: Abraham Lincoln led the nation during the American Civil War. He abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, modernized the U.S. economy, and preserved the Union. He was born in Kentucky and was the 16th president of The United States. Why it's important in U.S. History: Abraham Lincoln was one of the most famous and influential presidents in American history. He was the president during the Civil War until John Wilkes Booth assassinated him. -
Reconstruction Era (January 1, 1863- March 31, 1877)
Description: Reconstruction is the period after the Civil War when the states that were formerly part of the Confederacy were brought back into The United States. Why it's important in U.S. History: The inequities of slavery and its political, social, and economic legacy were addressed once again to solve many problems.
