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Great Britain formally acknowledges American independence in the Treaty of Paris, which officially brings the war to a close.
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Took place in the old Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia to discuss ways to strengthen the national government.
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The U.S. capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Because in 1783, Congress decided the country should have a permanent center of government.
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United States agrees to pay France $15 million for the Louisiana Territory, which extends west from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and comprises about 830,000 sq mi. As a result, the U.S. nearly doubles in size.
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U.S. declares war on Britain over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion.
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In an effort to maintain the balance between free and slave states, Maine is admitted as a free state so that Missouri can be admitted as a slave state.
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adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution.
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Washington is inaugurated as president at Federal Hall in New York City.
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President Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which authorizes the forced removal of Native Americans living in the eastern part of the country to lands west of the Mississippi River.
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Texan defenders of the Alamo are all killed during siege by the Mexican Army.
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Texas declares its independence from Mexico.
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More than 15,000 Cherokee Indians are forced to march from Georgia to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Approximately 4,000 die from starvation and disease along the “Trail of Tears.”
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U.S. declares war on Mexico in effort to gain California and other territory in Southwest
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Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. The gold rush reaches its height the following year.
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Women's rights convention is held at Seneca Falls, N.Y.
