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The United States Library of Congress is founded
The United States Library of Congress is founded -
John Marshall
John Marshall is appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States -
Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated for his first term as President of the United States
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President Thomas Jefferson doubles the size of the United States of America with his purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon's France
President Thomas Jefferson doubles the size of the United States of America with his purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon's France, thus paving way for the western expansion that would mark the entire history of the 19th century from Missouri to the Pacific Coast. The price of the purchase included bonds of $11,250,000 and $3,750,000 in payments to United States citizens with claims against France. -
The Lewis and Clark Expedition to map the northwest United States ends
The Lewis and Clark Expedition to map the northwest United States ends. Essential to the journey was Sacagawea, their female Indian guide. -
Andrew Johnson was born
Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, is born in Raleigh -
James Madison becomes president of the United States
James Madison is inaugurated, succeeding Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States. -
U.S. President James Madison asks Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom
U.S. President James Madison asks Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom. Before the vote could be approved, on June 16, British ships raise a blockade against the United States. -
End the War of 1812
A peace treaty is signed between the British and American government at Ghent, bringing to an end the War of 1812. -
The first financial crises in the United States
The first financial crises in the United States, the Panic of 1819, occurs, leading to foreclosures, bank failures, and unemployment. Several causes have been identified, including the heavy amount of borrowing by the government to finance the War of 1812, as well as the tightening of credit by the Second Bank of the U.S. in response to risky lending practices by wildcat banks in the west. -
Florida becomes an official territory of the United States
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Ulysses S. Grant was born
Civil War general and 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, is born. -
Opposing the Tariff of Abominations
Opposing the Tariff of Abominations, the state of South Carolina begins the process of a formal nullification campaign, declaring the right of state nullification of federal laws. -
Andrew Jackson becomes president
Andrew Jackson, now in the Democratic party, is inaugurated as President, replacing John Quincy Adams after his sole term in office. -
the Indian Removal Act
The United States Congress approved the Indian Removal Act, which facilitated the relocation of Indian tribes from east of the Mississippi River. Although this act did not order their removal, it paved the way for increased pressure on Indian tribes to accept land-exchange treaties with the U.S. government and helped lead the way to the Trail of Tears. -
The first convention of the American Whig Party is held in Albany, New York
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The Specie Act is issued
The Specie Act is issued by executive order of President Andrew Jackson. This act would lead to the failure of the economy of land speculation and the Panic of 1837. -
President Tyler vetoes the bill re-establishing the Second Bank of the United States
President Tyler vetoes the bill re-establishing the Second Bank of the United States, causing an angry riot among Whig party members on White House grounds. It was the most violent demonstration on those grounds in U.S. history. -
The United States signs the treaty of Wanghia with China.
The United States signs the treaty of Wanghia with China. It is the first treaty signed between the two nations -
The United States Department of the Interior is established
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Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as president of the United States with Hannibal Hamlin as Vice President. -
The Homestead Act is approved
The Homestead Act is approved, granting family farms of 160 acres (65 hectares) to settlers, many of which were carved from Indian territories. Two months later, on July 7, the Land Grant Act was approved, which called for public land sale to fund agricultural education. This act eventually led to the establishment of the state university systems -
Abraham Lincoln is assassinated in Ford's Theatre
Abraham Lincoln is assassinated in Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.. five days after the signing at Appomattox of the Confederate surrender. The shot, fired by actor John Wilkes Booth, during the play "Our American Cousin," ends the life of the president who presided over the War of Rebellion and the end of slavery. Lincoln would die one day later. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is passed by Congress
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is passed by Congress, the first federal law protecting the rights of African Americans. It is vetoed by President Johnson, but the veto overridden by Congress. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act, giving equal rights to blacks in jury duty and accommodation, is passed by the United States Congress. It would be overturned in 1883 by the U.S. Supreme Court. -
Washington Monument
Legislation is approved for the federal government to complete the privately sponsored, until that time, Washington Monument with an appropriation of $2 million.
