-
Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus
In 1492, a man named Christopher Columbus founded America. Before founding America, his goal was to sail to the West Coast and reach Asia where there were lots of gold, pearls, and spice. Columbus went on four separate trips, but never stepped foot in North America. He landed on several islands and one of them today is known as the Bahamas. This is important because Christopher Columbus founded a country in which later became independent. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a colonial war between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. The colonies fought alongside with France as their allies. After the 13 colonies defeated GB, they finally gained their own independence. This event played a big role on our society today because this event is what was a start of forming the United States and eventually leading the country to be free and independent. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a document announcing the US separation from Britain. Thomas Jefferson was the author of the document. They chose to write this document because Britain was treating the US unfairly. This document was approved on July 4th. It is celebrated that same day. -
Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24th. People from all over the world went to California to mine for gold. The Gold Rush brought approximately 300,000 people to California. That sudden increase in population allowed California to go rapidly into Statehood. Although many people were trying to strike gold through digging, the real people who were striking it risch were the entrepreneurs. -
Civil War
The Civil War was a war between the U.S. and the confederate states of America. The confederate states were eleven southern states that left the union and formed their own country to protect the practice of slavery. The Civil war was the most deadly and may be considered the most important event to occur in the United States, concluding with over 620,000 deaths. The confederates surrendered uniting the country as one. This is important as it had a big impact on U.S.society and states' rights. -
Slavery in the U.S.
Slavery is any system in which principles of property law are applied to people allowing individuals to own, buy, and sell other individuals. At the time, slaves were African Americans. U.S. participation caused many African Americans to fight for their rights, their lives, and to stand up for what was right. This situation influenced American history from the reconstruction era, to the civil rights movement that emerged after emancipation, abolishing slavery during the month of December, 1865. -
World War 1
World War 1 was a war between allies Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States who fought against the Central Powers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. The main cause of WW1 was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. By the end of WW1, more than 16 million soldiers and civilians combined were killed. This was the biggest war anyone had ever known. This played a big role as it allowed people to be more open to ideologies such as fascism -
Women's Suffrage
Women's suffrage is the right for women to vote in elections. The International Woman Suffrage Alliance was a group that coordinated efforts to gain their vote. Women received the right to vote on June 4, 1919. This was Ratified on August 18, 1920. -
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a worldwide economic depression that took place and started in the U.S and eventually led to other nations. The Great Depression was caused due to the stock market crash where nine-thousand banks were failing during the months. This impacted the U.S. deeply as many people lost their jobs, farmers and banks went bankrupt, and food and raw material product supplies were affected. This is important because without a good economy, there is not a good and healthy lifestyle. -
World War 2
World War II was a global war between the Axis powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan against Allies: Britain, France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, the Soviet Union, China, and the U.S. WWII started after Nazi Germany's attack on Poland, and Britain's war declaration on Germany. The total amount of deaths after WWII ranged from 70-85 million soldiers and civilians combined. At the end of WWII, the U.S. experienced economic growth as well as decreased unemployment rates by 10%. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Japanese Air Force upon the U.S. against the naval base Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. A total of 2403 soldiers and civilians combined were killed on the day of the attack. This had a big impact on the U.S. because the mindset of many Americans changed upon Japanese. This caused a sense of pride and desire to fight Japan. -
Nukes on Japan
Fat Man and Little Boy were the names of the two nuclear bombs dropped on Japan. Fat Man was detonated above the city of Nagasaki. Little Boy was detonated over the city of Hiroshima. They caused a lot of destruction and death all through Japan. They were dropped because of Japans attack on Pearl Harbor. -
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was an African American professional baseball player. He was the first African American to play Major League Baseball. He faced a lot of discrimination even tho he was very athletic and had a lot of talent. He broke through on April 15, 1947 when the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base. -
McCarthyism
A ruthless campaign carried out against alleged communists. This campaign was carried out by Joseph McCarthy. Alleged communists were blacklisted or lost their jobs. It used unfair allegations and investigations to stop the spread of communism. -
Desegregation
On May 17, 1954 it was declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Before this there was a separate but equal law. This meant that black and white people would be separated in the things they do but both will be equal. Desegregating people was a long process because states fought back with their own laws but in the end every school became available for all races. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was an African American activist in the Civil Rights movement. 1955 is the year she refused to give up her seat. Soon after many African Americans boycotted buses causing the buses to lose money. This led them to change the rules of having black people sit in the back of the bus. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was an undeclared American war in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The Vietnam war first started when China became communist who were in control of North Vietnam. The U.S. was worried that the South would as well become communist so they decided to aid the South with money, supplies, and training. A total of 50,220 U.S. military casualties were recorded during the war. This played a role in history because this was a time in which the U.S. failed to achieve its objectives. -
JFK Assassination
John F Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. JFK was a Democratic president and planned on running for a second term as president. He was confident in his chances and spoke in 9 different states in only a week. He was assassinated in Dallas Texas while campaigning there. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
A strong advocate for black peoples rights. He made a big impact on getting African Americans the rights they deserved. He was 33 when he gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. He was assassinated in 1968. -
September 11
On this day, terrorists hijacked four american airplanes and crashed two into the World Trade Center killing nearly 3,000 innocent people. Another plane was headed for the white house but crashed in a Pennsylvania field. The last was crashed into the U.S. Pentagon. This tragedy had a humongous impact on the U.S. as the towers represented a symbol or pride, peace, and hope for America.
