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End of the French and Indian War
The French surrender to the British after seven years of fighting. This is important because even though the British won, they are in a lot of debt and decide to impose taxes on the colonists which angers the colonists. Also, the French losing to the British at this time helps the French decide to side with the colonists during the Revolutionary War years later. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used- from newspapers to playing cards. This is important because this tax, as well as others such as the Tea tax, really made colonists angry because they felt like these taxes were unfair- especially since they did not have any representation in British congress. This is where the famous saying, "Taxation without representation" came from and it was a major cause of the Revolutionary War. -
Boston Tea Party
As a way of protesting against the unfair taxes that the British had put on the colonists, a group of colonists, dressed as "Indians," snuck onto British ships in the middle of the night and started throwing the tea overboard into the Boston Harbor. This was important because while the colonists had been angry about the unfair taxes since they were imposed, this was one of the first times that they actually took action against the British. -
Battle of Lexington
British soldiers were on their way to Concord, MA when they got in a small battle in Lexington with some Minutemen (colonists). Shots were fired and the first shot is often called "the shot heard around the world." The colonists backed off but were able to warn others in Concord that the British were on the way. This was important because this battle was considered the first battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence was Signed
The Declaration of Independence states, "We, therefore... do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states.." This document is important because it formally declared to England that the colonies were no longer willing to follow and be subjugated by them.
Image is PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENT- an image of the original Declaration of Independence. -
Victory at Saratoga
The colonist defeated the British in the battle in Saratoga, NY. This victory was important because not only had the Colonist won another battle, but it also showed the French that the colonist had a good chance of winning the war and so they formally became an ally to the colonists. -
Battle of Yorktown/Surrender
George Washington led a large army of men against the British in Yorktown. He had also ordered a block of British escape by both land and sea. The colonist ultimately won the battle. This is very important for the colonists because after this battle the British surrender and the revolutionary war is over. -
Signing of the Constitution
The delegates started writing the Constitution (or rules of government) in July of 1787 in Philadelphia. The final version was completed on September 17, 1787. Delaware was the first state to ratify (or accept) the Constitution, the rest of the states followed. This is important in history because there was now an agreement of the states on how the country should be governed. -
Bill of Rights Ratified
The Bill of Rights are the first TEN amendments to the constitution. They were originally proposed on September 25, 1789, and finally ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights are important to US History because these amendments list the rights that all citizens are guaranteed under the law such as free speech, freedom of religion, etc. -
Start of the Civil War
The "official" start of the civil war happened when southern (Confederate) armies attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This was important because the attack marked the beginning of a four year war between the north (called the Union) and the south (called the Confederacy). This is the war that the most Americans ever died in. -
Emancipation Proclamation Signed
This document, signed by President Lincoln, declared that all slaves "in rebellious states" were now free.
This was an important event in US History because it basically called for an end of slavery- at least for 3.1 of the country's 4 million slaves. -
Gettysburg Address
This was a famous speech given by President Lincoln at the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery four months after the Union defeated the Confederacy at the battle of Gettysburg. 51,000 Americans died in that battle. This speech is important because it reanimated the Union and also gave people a new way of looking at the government- as Lincoln said, "a government of the people, by the people, for the people." -
End of the Civil War/South Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee (Confederate commander) surrendered his troops to Ulysses S. Grant (Union commander). This event was important in US History because it marks the end of the deadliest war in US History. Also it is important because the nation was not broken apart. -
13th Amendment Ratified
The 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery in the US.
The ratification of the 13th Amendment is important to US History because it officially outlaws slavery in all of the states of the United States. -
Transcontinental Rail Road Completed
The transcontinental rail road connected the well developed rail road network on the east coast of the country with California on the west coast.
This rail road was important because it made travel to the west easier for people and made the movement of supplies and goods easier from coast to coast. This was important also for the settlement of the west.
