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In 1492 Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas, he thought he had reached Asia. This journey started the European exploration and colonization of the New World. -
In 1607, English settlers founded Jamestown in Virginia. It was the first permanent English colony in America. -
The French and Indian War began in 1754 as a conflict between Britain and France over territory in North America. It ended in 1763, with Britain gaining control of most of the land. -
In 1773, colonists in Boston dumped British tea into the harbor to protest taxes. This act was called the Boston Tea Party. -
In 1775, the Battle of Lexington and Concord started the American Revolutionary War. It was the first fight between American colonists and British troops. -
In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, declaring America's freedom from Britan. This Document marked the beginning of the United States as an Independent Nation. -
In 1781, the Battle of Yorktown was the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War. American and French forces defeated the British, leading to the end of the war. -
In 1787, the Constitutional Convention met to write a new U.S. Constitution. They wanted to improve the country's government. -
In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, which quickly separates cotton fibers from seeds. This invention greatly increased cotton production in the United States. -
In 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and restricted free speech. Many people thought these laws were unfair. -
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the U.S. by acquiring land from France. This deal, led by President Jefferson, expanded American territory significantly. -
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Britain from 1812 to 1815. It ended in a stalemate, with neither side gaining a significant advantage, but it fostered American nationalism. -
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was an agreement that admitted Missouri was a slave state and Maine a free state. It also established a line dividing future free and slave territories. -
Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828, signaling a shift toward populism. His victory emphasized support for the common man. -
The Trail of Tears was the forced relocation of the Native Americans in the 1830s, causing immense suffering and deaths. -
The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis marked by bank failures and economic depression. It was triggered by speculative lending and the collapse of the cotton market. -
The telegraph, invented by Samual Morse in the 1840s, revolutionized long-distance communication. It transmitted messages quickly over wires using Morse code. -
The Mexican-American War, fought from 1846 to 1848, was a conflict between the U.S. and Mexico. It ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, significantly expanding U.S. territory. -
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws aimed at easing tensions between free and slave states. It included the Fugitive Slave Act and admitted California as a free state. -
The Firing of Fort Sumter in April 1861 marked the start of the Civil War. Confederate forces attacked the fort in Charleston Harbor, prompting the Union to respond. -
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories free. It shifted the focus of the Civil War to include the abolition of slavery. -
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were added to the U.S. Constitution between 1865 and 1870. They abolished slavery, granted citizenship and equal protection, and secured voting rights regardless of race. -
The surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865 marked the end of the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. GRant led to the restoration of the Union. -
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, at Ford's theatre. Lincoln died the following day, making him the first U.S. president to be murdered. -
Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1868 over his violations of the Tenure of Office Act. He was acquitted by the Senate and remained in office, though his presidency was severely weakened. -
Alexader Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, enabling voice communication over long distances. His invention revolutionized personal and business communication. -
The electric light was invented by Thomas Edison in 1879, revolutionizing indoor lighting. Edison's practical incandescent bulb became widely adopted, transforming daily life. -
The Standard Oil Trust, formed by John D. Rockefeller in 1882, consolidated the oil industry. It centralized control and reduced competition. -
The Pullman Strike of 1894 was a railroad strike that disrupted national rail traffic and led to federal intervention. The Homestead strike of 1892 was a violent labor dispute at a steel plant, resulting in clashes between workers and private security. -
The Spanish-American War in1898 was fought over Cuban independence. It led to U.S. control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Phillippines. -
The Wright Brothers, Orville, and Wilbur, invented the first successful airplane in 1903. Their powered flight at Kitty Hawk marked the beginning of modern aviation. -
Theodore Roosevelt became President in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. He was re-elected in 1904 and became known for his progressive reforms and strong leadership.