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John Adams pushes to found the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
In 1780, John Adams (along with John Hancock, James Bowdoin, and others) made a great effort to form the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Adams’ action brought about significant change in that the American Academy was one of the first higher education institutions in the nation and was—and still is—a powerful force in the development of America. Being elected into the institution is still considered one of the highest national honors, drawing in some of the brightest minds in the world. -
Benjamin Franklin invents bifocal glasses
Benjamin Franklin filed a patent for his newest invention: bifocal glasses. This carried significant weight in changing American and European society: suddenly, those with poor eyesight had the opportunity to see the world like others did; individuals all over the world were able to read; tradespeople could view their craft with more clarity. In addition to enabling fellow Americans to better educate themselves, Franklin also generated profit that he later used to develop new and great things. -
Alexander Hamilton gets Congress to approve the First Bank
For years, Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, devised a plan to introduce national banking to a young America. On February 25, 1791, his plan took effect when Congress chartered the First Bank of the United States. The bank stands as a monument today, was the first of its kind in the States, and allowed for the storing and loaning of currency. Although one bank might not be such a big deal, it led to Congress permitting the Second Bank, and ultimately shaped today’s banking system. -
Eli Whitney files patent for his cotton gin
The patent for what is, perhaps, one of the most important inventions in United States history was filed by its inventor, Eli Whitney, on March 14th, 1794. The technological development is known as the “cotton gin,” which mechanically separated cotton fibers from their seeds. As Whitney’s invention brought massive productivity increases to cotton production, it also led to a rapid increase in the cotton business. This, in turn, led to an increase in slavery in the South, starting the Civil War. -
George Washington gives his famous farewell address
From 1789 to 1797, George Washington served as the first American president. It was a hard job because it set the precedent for how future administrations would be run and how the president would run a country. Thus, an important consideration of his was how he would leave office, so on September 19th, 1796, he delivered his famous farewell address. It set the bar high, enforcing the idea that the Commander-in-chief serves the people of this country, and it has influenced presidents to this day. -
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Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions are passed
During the years of 1798 and 1799, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison drafted in quiet collaboration two important state policies. Later in those years, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, written primarily by Jefferson and Madison, respectively, were enacted, stating the right of the states to declare Congress’s acts unconstitutional. These actions not only led to the eventual repealing of two amendments, but also to a very important discussion over the role of federal and state governments. -
Gabriel Prosser's slave rebellion is cancelled
A literate slave, Gabriel Prosser, planned a slave rebellion for August 30th, 1800. Unfortunately, he had to cancel it because of torrential rain that day. Just because the event never actually took place, however, does not mean that it's not important. After a traitor in his group ratted on him to white authorities, Gabriel and over two-dozen other African-Americans were hanged. This sparked tension across the nation, reinforcing Southern confidence and heightening Northern distaste in slavery. -
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Lewis and Clark explore the western region of the United States
Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark embarked on a remarkable journey on May 21, 1804. Per the request of Thomas Jefferson, the current president, these two friends and the men they commanded spent the following two years exploring the western territories. Their research and political and cartographic work allowed for efficient trade routes and for Americans to settle the area. Consequently, European nations weren’t able to take the land, and it became a part of the U.S.. -
Aaron Burr shoots Alexander Hamilton in legendary dual
After being publicly detested by Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr challenged him to a dual, fatally wounding Hamilton on July 11, 1804. Burr, the vice president at the time, wanted to silence Hamilton for his open criticism. His killing of the former secretary of the treasury started a significant, New-York-based anti-dualing movement, which evolved into a cease of such behavior on a large scale. Burr’s violent and borderline tyrannical actions also serve as a reminder of the right of free speech. -
Francis Scott Key writes "The Star-Sprangled Banner"
Francis Scott Key wrote a very famous song while tragically watching the violence between British and American forces in and the burning of a fort in Baltimore. The piece by this amateur poet and songwriter was later entitled “The Star-Sprangled Banner.” Although Key had no intention of it becoming anything of significant change at the time, the song eventually became the national anthem years later. Additionally, the song, spreading widely, boosted American confidence towards winning the war.