1787-1854

- 1787 -

Apr 20, 1787

Northwest
Ordinance

Political

May 25, 1787

The Constitutional Convention meets to write a Constitution for the U.S.

George Washington becomes President of US

Apr 30, 1789

Political

May 25, 1789

The new Constitution is approved by the states. George Washington is chosen as the first president.

- 1791 -

Apr 20, 1791

Vermont
admitted

- 1792 -

Apr 17, 1792

Kentucky
admitted

- 1796 -

Apr 20, 1796

Tennessee
admitted

John Adams becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1797

Political

Apr 20, 1800

The federal government moves to a new capital, Washington, D.C.

Thomas Jefferson becomes President

Mar 4, 1801

- 1803 -

Apr 17, 1803

Ohio

admitted

- 1803 -

Apr 20, 1803

Lousiana
Purchase

Political

Apr 20, 1803

The U.S. makes the Louisiana Purchase from France. The Purchase doubled the area of the U.S.

- 1804 - 1806 -

Apr 20, 1804

Lewis and Clarke
Expedition

Political

Apr 20, 1804

Lewis and Clark explore what is now the northwestern United States.

James Madison becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1809

- 1812 -

Apr 20, 1812

Lousiana
admitted

-1814 Political

Apr 20, 1812

War of 1812 with Great Britain: British forces burn the Capitol and White House. Francis Scott Key writes the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner."

- 1816 -

Apr 20, 1816

Indiana
admitted

James Monroe becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1817

- 1817 -

Apr 20, 1817

Mississippi
admitted

- 1818 -

Apr 20, 1818

Illinois
admitted

- 1819 -

Apr 20, 1819

Alabama
admitted

Political

Apr 20, 1820

The Missouri Compromise bans slavery west of the Mississippi River and north of 3630' latitude, except in Missouri.

- 1820 -

Apr 20, 1820

Missouri
Compromise

- 1820 -

Apr 20, 1820

Maine
admitted

- 1821 -

Apr 20, 1821

Missouri
admitted

- 1822 -

Apr 20, 1822

Florida
Territory

- 1822 -

Apr 20, 1822

Stephen Austin founds
colony in Texas

Political

Apr 20, 1823

The Monroe Doctrine warns European countries not to interfere in the Americas.

John Quincy Adams becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1825

Political

Apr 20, 1825

The Monroe Doctrine warns European countries not to interfere in the Americas.

Andrew Jackson becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1829

Political

Apr 20, 1831

The Liberator, a newspaper opposing slavery, is published in Boston.

- 1834 -

Apr 20, 1834

Indian Territory
founded

- 1836 -

Apr 20, 1836

Texas
Revolution

Political

Apr 20, 1836

Texans fighting for independence from Mexico are defeated at the Alamo.

- 1836 -

Apr 20, 1836

Arkansas
admitted

Martin Van Buren becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1837

- 1837 -

Apr 20, 1837

Michigan
admitted

- 1838 -

Apr 20, 1838

Iowa Territory
organized

Political

Apr 20, 1838

Cherokee Indians are forced to move to Oklahoma, along "The Trail of Tears."

- 1840 - 1860 -

Apr 20, 1840

Oregon
Trail

William Henry Harrison becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1841

John Taylor becomes President of US

Apr 4, 1841

James K. Polk becomes President of US

Mar 4, 1845

-1845-

Apr 20, 1845

Texas
admitted

-1845-

Apr 20, 1845

Florida
admitted

- 1846 -

Apr 20, 1846

Iowa
admitted

- 1846 -

Apr 20, 1846

Oregon boundary with Canada
established at 49th parallel

- 1848 -

Apr 20, 1848

Wisconsin
admitted

- 1848 -

Apr 20, 1848

Mexican
Cession

Zachary Taylor

Mar 4, 1849

- 1850 -

Apr 20, 1850

California
admitted

- 1850 -

Apr 20, 1850

Utah and New Mexico
Territories

Millard Fillmore becomes President of US

Jul 9, 1850

- 1853 -

Apr 20, 1853

Gadsden
Purchase

- 1853 -

Apr 21, 1853

Gadsden
Purchase

- 1854-

Apr 20, 1854

Nebraska and Kansas
Territories