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Reconstruction and the New South
The original Northern objective in the Civil War was the preservation of the Union—a war aim with which virtually everybody in the free states agreed. As the fighting progressed, the Lincoln government concluded that emancipation of the slaves was necessary in order to secure military victory; -
Civil Rights Legislation
An act to define and guarantee African Americans’ basic civil rights met a similar fate, but Republicans succeeded in passing it over the president’s veto. -
The Ulysses S. Grant Administration
As a politician the president was passive, exhibiting none of the brilliance he had shown on the battlefield. His administration was tarnished by the dishonesty of his subordinates, whom he loyally defended. -
Invention of the Light Bulb
Thomas Edison and the “first” light bulb In 1878, Thomas Edison began serious research into developing a practical incandescent lamp and on October 14, 1878, Edison filed his first patent application for "Improvement In Electric Lights". -
The Assassination of President James A. Garfield
On July 2, 1881, newly inaugurated President James A. Garfield was mortally wounded by a deranged gunman as he prepared to board a train in Washington, D.C. -
United States presidential election of 1888
American presidential election held on Nov. 6, 1888, in which Republican Benjamin Harrison defeated Democratic incumbent Grover Cleveland. -
The Death of Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull killed by Indian police. After many years of successfully resisting white efforts to destroy him and the Sioux people, the great Sioux chief and holy man Sitting Bull is killed by Indian police at the Standing Rock reservation in South Dakota -
Henry Ford's First Automobile
Ford built the 1896 Quadricycle, his first automobile, in the original shed. -
United States presidential election of 1896
American presidential election held on November 3, 1896, in which Republican William McKinley defeated Democrat-Populist William Jennings Bryan. -
Galveston hurricane of 1900
Galveston hurricane of 1900, also called Great Galveston hurricane, hurricane (tropical cyclone) of September 1900, one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history, claiming more than 5,000 lives.
