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the United States passed the law that is today known as the Northwest Ordinance. This allowed expansion into the area north and west of the Ohio river. It also set the precedent for adding new states, intead of just expanding the current states.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition departs St. Louis, Missouri, on a mission to map a course to the Pacific Ocean.
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Construction on the Erie Canal is completed and the canal opens.
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The Indian Removal Act is passed granting President Jackson the authority to remove Native Americans from the west Misssissipi river.
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The Treaty of New Echota was signed giving the Cherokee nation $5.6 million and transportation west for all of their land. This led to the westward movement of the Cherokee nation on the Trail of Tears.
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Mexican troops attack the Alamo Mission killing all but two Texans. This spurs the Texans on in the Texas Revolution.
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People depart Independence, Missouri, on the first emigrant wagon train headed for California.
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Texas becomes the 28th sta
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The Donner Party became snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains after taking a short cut through the mountains that added weeks to their travel time. This led to canibalism.
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Gold is discovered in California. 80,000 people move to California in search of gold sparking what would be called the ‘Gold Rush’.
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California becomes a state
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The first productive commercial oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake.
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The first transcontinental telegraph line is completed.
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The Homestead Act was approved.
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Transcontinental railroad was completed joining the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railways and allowed people to travel from one coast to another.
