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End of US Civil War
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Completion of First Transcontinental Railroad
First railroad to span the United States is completed, making the transportation of goods across the country much easier. -
First Telephone Patent
Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the first patent for the telephone -
Coca Cola Invented
Formula for the soft drink created by Atlanta pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton -
United States Steel Corporation Founded
JP Morgan founds US Steel by combining Carnegie Steel, Federal Steel, and National Steel for $492 million ($13.99 billion today) -
Ford Introduces Model T
Ford Motor Company produces the first affordable automobile for middle-class Americans -
First Broadcast of NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is formed, with General Electric as part owner -
Black Thursday
The US Stock Market crashes, signalling the beginning of The Great Depression -
First Passenger Service Airplane Flight
American Airlines inaugurates its first passenger flight from Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL. paving the way for the modern American air travel industry, and replacing trains as the preferred method of long-distance transportation. -
McDonald's Founded
Dick and Mac McDonald re-open their restaurant, originally a drive-in called McDonald's Bar-B-Q, as a self-service fast-food restaurant with a reduced menu featuring the 15 cent hamburger. -
First Japanese car, a Toyota, sold in US
Toyota Motor Corporation takes notice of recession in the US and the market shift towards small imported economy cars. In an effort to capitilize on this oppurtunity, Toyata imports the Toyopet Crown, the first Japanese car to officially be sold in the United States. -
Bank of America Launches First Credit Card
Bank of America creates the BankAmericard in Fresno, California, becoming the first successful recognizably modern credit card. -
Walmart Founded
Sam Walton opens the first Walmart Discount City store in Rogers, AR. -
The Cortez becomes Blue Ribbon Sports first best-selling shoe in US
Due to the success of the shoe, BRS would expand into other areas of sports apparel, eventually be renamed Nike, and transform the sportswear industry. -
Starbucks Founded
The first Starbucks Coffee opens in Seattle, Washington by business partners Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. -
Microsoft Founded
Bill Gates and Paul Allen form the company to develop software for personal computers. -
Apple Founded
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak form the company to sell Wozniak's design for a personal computer, the Apple I -
CNN Launches
Ted Turner's channel becomes America's first 24-hour news network. -
Quantum Computer Services Founded
Jim Kimsey founds the company that will later become America Online (AOL) -
Amazon Founded
Jeff Bezos creates and online bookstore, which eventually becomes the world's largest online retailer. -
1st iPhone Released
Apple CEO Steve Jobs announces the iPhone, a smartphone that would revolutionize the cell phone industry.
