US History Timeline

  • U.S. Govt. Under The Constitution Begins

    U.S. Govt. Under The Constitution Begins
    George Washington is inaugurated into the first U.S. Government and becomes the first president. After the French Revolution, Washington states that the U.S. becomes neutral.
  • First Census

    First Census
    The U.S. population totals 3.9 million, around 760,000 African Americans and about 700,000 of them are enslaved. Benjamin Franklin dies at age of 84.
  • Bill of Rights is Ratified

    Bill of Rights is Ratified
    The Bill of Rights is added to the constitution. Vermont is added to the union and becomes the 14th state.
  • 15th State

    15th State
    Kentucky has entered into the union as the 15th state. Washington and Adams are re-elected as president and vice-president.
  • Washington Declares U.S. Neutrality

    Washington Declares U.S. Neutrality
    Wars break out between France and Great Britain, George Washington declares to be neutral. Fugitive Slave Act is passed by Congress.
  • Whiskey Rebellion

    Whiskey Rebellion
    Western farmers in Pennsylvania protest to stop taxes on whiskey, is put down by federal troops. Britain agrees to withdraw from the Northern Territory.
  • Northwest Territory

    Northwest Territory
    Spain allows the U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi River. The 31st Parallel is set as a border between Mexico and the U.S. Northwest Territory is opened for settlement.
  • 16th State and Presidential Election

    16th State and Presidential Election
    16th state is added to the union, Tennessee. John Adams wins the election over Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson becomes vice-president.
  • New President

    New President
    John Adams is inaugurated into office. Becomes 2nd president of the United States.
  • Quasi War

    Quasi War
    Quasi War is started France. France attempts to bribe the U.S. commissioners in Paris, France.
  • 2 Historic Deaths

    2 Historic Deaths
    George Washington dies in Virginia. He was 67 at the time. Patrick Henry dies in Virginia. He was 63 at the time. He was famous for the quote, "Give me liberty, or give me death."
  • Second Census

    Second Census
    U.S. population continues to grow, it totals to 5.3 million. One million of those are African Americans, 900,000 are enslaved. Jefferson & Burr tie for president, beating Adams and Pinckney.
  • House of Representatives

    House of Representatives
    The Jefferson and Burr tie forces the election into the House of Representatives. Jefferson is elected in 36 ballots as third president of the U.S.
  • Alien and Sedition Acts

    Alien and Sedition Acts
    The Alien and Sedition Acts are allowed to expire by Congress.
  • Louisiana Territory

    Louisiana Territory
    France sells the Louisiana Territory to the U.S. for 15 million dollars. This purchase nearly doubles the size of the U.S. Lewis and Clark start their expedition in St. Louis
  • Presidential Election

    Presidential Election
    Twelfth Amendment is ratified, providing for separate election for the president and vice-president. Jefferson is re-elected as president and George Clinton is elected as vice-president.
  • Barbary War Ends

    Barbary War Ends
    Barbary War ends after the U.S. troops capture Darna. Lewis and Clark reaches the Pacific Ocean.
  • Lewis and Clark

    Lewis and Clark
    Lewis and Clark expedition ends with return to St. Louis.
  • Ban on Slave Trade

    Ban on Slave Trade
    A ban on slave trade is passed by Congress. Embargo Act is passed by Congress in response to British and French interference with U.S. trade.
  • Presidential Election

    Presidential Election
    James Madison elected as president and George Clinton is re-elected as vice president. U.S. ships and cargoes in European ports are confiscated by France.
  • Embargo Act and the Birth of a Future Pres.

    Embargo Act and the Birth of a Future Pres.
    Embargo Act is repealed. Congress trades good with countries except France and Great Britain. Abraham Lincoln is born.
  • Third Census

    Third Census
    U.S. population totals 7.2 million. 1.4 million African Americans, 1.2 million are enslaved.
  • Cumberland Road

    Cumberland Road
    Construction of Cumberland Road begins in Maryland.
  • War of 1812

    War of 1812
    The War of 1812 begins as U.S. declares war on Great Britain over issues of borders, trade, freedom of seas, and the rights of neutrals. The war is supported by westerners and opposed my New Englanders.
  • U.S. Defeats the British.

    U.S. Defeats the British.
    The British lose in the Battle of lake Erie and the Battle of the Thames to the U.S.
  • British Angry

    British Angry
    The British attacks and burns Washington DC. U.S. wins the Battle of Fort McHenry
  • Old Southwest

    Old Southwest
    Alabama and Mississippi territories opened to migration of American settlers. It was opened after the defeat of the Indians in the Creek War.
  • Presidential Election

    Presidential Election
    Indiana enters the Union as the 19th state. James Monroe and Daniel Tompkins are elected as president and vice president.
  • Great Lakes

    Great Lakes
    U.S. and Britain demilitarize the Great Lakes. They set the northern U.S. border at the 49th parallel. Mississippi enters the Union as the 20th state. First Seminole War begins with attacks on settlers in Florida and Georgia.
  • Andrew Jackson.

    Andrew Jackson.
    General Andrew Jackson leads troops into Florida to fight the Seminoles. Illinois joins the Union as the 21st State.
  • McCulloch v. Maryland

    McCulloch v. Maryland
    Supreme Court upholds right of federal government to charter a nation bank. U.S. acquires Florida from Spain in the Adams–Onís Treaty. Alabama enters the Union as the 22nd state.
  • Fourth Census

    Fourth Census
    U.S. Population totals 10 million. 1.7 million are African Americans, 1.5 million are enslaved. Missouri Compromise is passed by Congress. Monroe and Tompkins are re-elected. Maine joins the Union as the 23rd state.
  • Missouri

    Missouri
    Missouri enters the Union as the 24th state under the Missouri Compromise. Missouri is a slave state. First American settlers arrive in Texas.
  • Slave Rebellion

    Slave Rebellion
    Slave rebellion led by Denmark Vesey is crushed in South Carolina. Brazil becomes independent from Portugal.
  • Monroe Doctrine

    Monroe Doctrine
    Europe is warned not to interfere in Western Hemisphere affairs. Cotton mills begin production in Massachusetts, with water-powered machinery.