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Declaration of Independence
Statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead they formed a new nation—the United States of America. -
Monroe Doctrine
US foreign policy regarding Latin American countries in the early 19th century.
Monroe Doctrine stated that efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be taken as acts of aggression, and will require U.S. intervention. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine that was articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt in his State of the Union address in 1904 after the Venezuela Crisis of 1902–03. States that the United States will intervene in conflicts between European countries and Latin American countries to enforce legitimate claims of the European powers, rather than having the Europeans press their claims directly. -
World War I
Known as the First World War. Global War centered in Europe. One of the deadliest conflicts in history. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
Occurred during the First World War, as Germany waged submarine warfare against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The ship was identified and torpedoed by the German U-boat U-20 and sank in 18 minutes. -
Good Neighbor Policy
Foreign Policy of the administration of US President Franklin Roosevelt towards Latin America. -
World War II
Known as the Second World War.
Global War from 1939-45 but related conflicts began earlier.
Most widespread war in history, and directly involved more than 100 million people, from more than 30 different countries. -
Pearl Harbor
Surprise Military Strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
This attack led to the US entry of World War II. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
These bombings were the first, and are the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare so far.
Conducted by the US in the final stages of World War II. -
Truman Doctrine
United States policy to stop Soviet expansion during the Cold War. -
Marshall Plan
Marshall Plan was the American initiative to aid Europe, in which the United States gave $17 billion in economic support to help rebuild European economies after the end of World War II in order to prevent the spread of Soviet Communism. -
Korean War
War between North and South Korea, in which a United Nations force led by the United States of America fought for the South, and China fought for the North, also assisted by the Soviet Union. -
Vietnam War
Long, costly armed conflict that pitted the communist regime of North Vietnam and its southern allies, known as the Viet Cong, against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
Speech by President Dwight David Eisenhower.
Middle Eastern country could request American economic assistance or aid from U.S. military forces if it was being threatened by armed aggression from another state -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Known as the October Crisis.
13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba. -
Operation Desert Storm
It is the Gulf War but codenamed Operation Desert Storm.
War waged by coalition forces from 34 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. -
9/11
Four coordinated terrorists attacks launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. Killed almost 3,000 people and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage. -
War on Terror
This resulted in an international military campaign to eliminate al-Qaeda and other militant organizations. The United States and many other NATO and non-NATO nations such as Pakistan participated in the conflict. -
Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
Operation Enduring Freedom is still an ongoing situation.
The operation was originally called "Operation Infinite Justice"
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name used by the US Government for the War in Afghanistan. -
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Mission to rid Iraq of tyrannical dictator Saddam Hussein and eliminate Hussein's ability to develop weapons of mass destruction. -
Air Strikes on ISIS
ISIS stands for The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
ISIS is an extremist group active in Iraq and Syria.
U.S. military, along with Arab allies, launched the first airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on Monday, September 22.
