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Christopher Columbus' arrival in America in 1492 was a great discovery, but it led to the marginalization of the indigenous people native to America. Many people think of Christopher Columbus as a hero, but he was far from that. This event played a role in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States as many people were led to believe that Columbus was a hero, when he was not. -
On Dec. 15 1791, the Bills of Rights was ratified. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. These amendments included guarantees of personal freedoms such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, and more. The Bill of Rights played a huge role in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States, and still plays a key role today. -
The first organized gathering of women to demand their rights as women took place in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. The main demand that they were making was for universal suffrage. This event was extremely important because it gave other women a blueprint of how to successfully organize in the decades to come. -
The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation declared the freedom of enslaved people in confederate territory during the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal moment in United States history and laid the groundwork for the 13th amendment. -
On Feb. 3, 1870, the 15th amendment was ratified. This amendment officially granted African American men the right to vote. This event was extremely significant and helped secure greater equality for African Americans. -
The Treaty of Paris was signed on Dec. 10, 1898 officially ending the Spanish-American war. The Spanish-American war and its aftermath set the stage for U.S. foreign and military policy in the 20th century. The Spanish-American war also marked the emergence of the United States as a global power. -
On July 11, 1905, 29 men convened a conference of African American leaders in Niagara Falls. They formed an organization called the Niagara Movement, which met annually until 1910. This organization helped pave the way for the formation of the NAACP. -
On July 28, 1917, W.E.B. Du Bois and the NAACP organized a silent march to protest recent massacres and lynchings of African Americans. Ten thousand people walked down 5th avenue in New York City calling for justice and equal rights. -
On June 12, 1937, Oliver Law became the first African American commander of an American army. This was a significant moment in U.S. history, as it paved the way for future African Americans to hold leadership positions in the military. -
On April 18, 1959, 26,000 high school and college students came to Washington D.C. to advocate for the desegregation of public schools in the United States. -
On July 2, 1964, President Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This Act ended segregation in public places, mandated equal employment opportunities, and strengthened voting rights for African Americans. This Act is considered a landmark achievement in the fight for equality and civil rights. -
The Longest Walk was intended to symbolize the forced removal of Native Americans from their homelands. On July 15, 1978, 30,000 marchers ended their peaceful transcontinental trek while calling attention to many issues happening across the country. -
On October 7, 2001, the United States and the U.K. began the war in Afghanistan. The goal was to promote democracy and human rights, but the war ended up lasting for 20 years. This war had a huge impact on the cultural landscape of the United States.