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Declaration of Independence
The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 to write an important statement. The "Declaration of Independence" announced the thirteen American colonies would become thirteen independent states. No longer would they be under British control. Today, this document is significant because it allowed the U.S. to expand as a free country. -
Civil War Begins
The Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. The issue of slavery in the South caused the political fight to become a violent war. The North won the combat with the leadership of President Abraham Lincoln. This war is is significant due to the fight of freedom the American people carried to have a great country today. The sentiment of liberty allowed for the nation to improve in many areas. -
Abraham Lincoln's Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States from 1861 untill 1865. Lincoln led the U.S. through its Civil War. Sadly, on April 14, 1865 he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln's assassination is significant today because he was a beloved man and the first American president to be assassinated. -
Statue of Liberty
The completion of Statue of Liberty marked the friendship of France and the United States. The "gift" was built to celebrate the centenary of U.S. independence. "Lady Liberty" today, since its completion, is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The monument is significant due to its representation of freedom and the wonderful sentiments it evokes in immigrants. Liberty and opportunity are the most common feelings newcomers get when first viewing the Statue of Liberty. -
Women's Suffrage
Women's suffrage can be traded back to the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 where the movement for women’s rights began. Protests by many iconic women, throughout history, led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The amendment gave women the right to vote. This is a significant part of U.S. history because it made millions realize the importance women had in society. The struggles they overcame to have such privileage showed their determination as strong female citizens. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The morning of December 7, 1941 was marked by the surprise attack on a U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japanese navy air service bombed the U.S. artillery causing 68 civilian casualties. This event is significant because it hit America's strength and led the way into WWII. Recovering from this disaster proved America's greatness.
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Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was an African-American struggle for social justice in the 1950s and 1960s to gain equal rights in the United States. On the journey to desegregation, many men, women, and children faced racism at its highest level. Hence, this movement is significant because African-Americans finally stood up to hundreds of years of injustice. Fairness was the main purpose for the fight.
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Moon Landing
Apollo 11 was launched to the Moon carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and their crew. Once setting foot on the Moon, Armstrong spoke the most iconic statement in history, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". The landing of men on the Moon is significant because many times man had only dreamed of reaching into space, but never actually seen the event come true. As an observer, watching men accomplishing such goal sensed a feeling that anything was possible. -
Destruction of World Trade Center in New York
On September 11, 2001 commercial jets piloted by terrorists struck the Twin Towers. The towers didn't collapse right away due to their structure that supported the loads of the jets. In this catastophic event 2,753 people were killed. This major event is significant because it hit America's spirit yet in the aftermath America showed its unity. Doctors, firefighters, police, and the radio helped survivors and the "fallen ones". -
President Obama's Election Victory
The United States presidential election of 2008 was won by Barack Obama. A crowd of about 240,000 people witnessed his victory speech. This event is significant because it marked a major improvement for African-Americans. They finally had a "black" leader running the country. Who could've predicted such event would happen?
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