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Washington, D.C. becomes the capital of the United States
The capital city is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. -
third president of the United States
Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated as the third president in Washington, DC. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States pays France $15 million to purchase the Louisiana territory. This made the United States almost double in size. -
James Madison becomes president
Madison succeeded Jefferson with a victory in the 1808 presidential election. -
War of 1812 begins
The United States declares war to the British for interference in their expansion to the west. -
The War of 1812 ends
The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in which border issues were settled. -
James Monroe becomes president
James Monroe unsuccessfully challenged Madison in the 1808 presidential election, but in April 1811 he joined Madison's administration as Secretary of State. During the later stages of the War of 1812, Monroe simultaneously served as Madison's Secretary of State and Secretary of War. His wartime leadership established him as Madison's heir apparent, and he easily defeated Federalist Party candidate Rufus King in the 1816 presidential election. -
Spain cedes Florida
Spain agrees to cede the land of Florida to the United States due to issues with resources. -
Articles of Confederation
Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, which is the first constitution of the United States. -
John Quincy Adams becomes president
John Quincy Adams. John Quincy Adams is inaugurated as the sixth president of the United States. -
Andrew Jackson becomes president
Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as the seventh president of the United States. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner, a black slave, initiated a bloody rebellion against slavery that lasted for two days in Southampton County, Virginia. -
Texas becomes independent
Texas declared its independence from Mexico, making it a free land. -
The Alamo
All Texan defenders are killed by the Mexican army laying siege on the Alamo. -
Manifest Destiny
The term Manifest Destiny first appears in a magazine article. It represents the idea that the United States is entitled to expand throughout the continent from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. -
Mexican War begin
The United States goes to war with Mexico to obtain the California territory. -
Oregon Treaty
Oregon Treaty fixes U.S.-Canadian border at 49th parallel; the U.S. acquires Oregon territory. -
Mexican War ends
The Mexican War ends with the signing of the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty in which Mexico cedes the territories of California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona for $15 million. -
Abraham Lincoln elected president
Abraham Lincoln is elected president after receiving public attention in debates. -
South Carolina secedes
South Carolina secedes from the Union due to the cause that its state's rights were not being respected when it came to slavery. -
The Civil War begins
Confederates attack Fort Sumter in South Carolina and begin the Civil War. -
Lincoln is assassinated
Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at a theatre in Washington, D.C. -
Alaska Purchase
The United States acquires the Alaska Territory from Russia for the sum of $7.2 million. -
The Battle of the Washita River ends
The Battle of the Washita River ends with Lt. Colonel George Custer's defeat of Black Kettle's Cheyenne. This ended the organized campaign of Indian forces against white settlers. -
Hiram Rhodes Revels
The first African-American to be sworn into office in the United States Congress, Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Mississippi takes his place in the United States Senate.
