1900-1920 DC American History

By KaylaWylie

  • The Gold Standard

    The Gold Standard Act is ratified, placing the United States currency on the gold standard.

  • World Fair & the Second Olympics

    One of the largest world's fairs in history opens to the public in Paris, France with the United States among 42 nations and 25 colonies to exhibit. This world's fair also included the second modern Olympic Games held within its 553 acre site and would draw over thirty-nine million paid visitors through its close on November 12.

  • The First US Census of the 20th century

    The 1900 census is conducted. In the first census of the 20th century, the population of the United States rose to 76,212,168, a 21% increase since 1890. For the first time, all fifty entities that would become the fifty states are included after Hawaii had officially become a territory of the United States on February 22. The centre of the United States population, geographically, is now six miles southeast of Columbus, Indiana.

  • Carrie Nation & the Temperance Movement

    Carrie Nation continues her Temperance Movement to abolish the consumption of liquor when she begins a campaign, prompted by a dream, to demolish saloons, over two dozen, in Kansas and other midwest states over the next ten years.

  • The Galveston Hurricane

    The Galveston, Texas hurricane, with winds of 135 miles an hour, kills 8,000 people. It remains the most deadly natural disaster in American history. It was not named, during that era, and would have been a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale today.

  • William McKinley takes office: Round II!

    President William McKinley wins his second term as president, this time with Theodore Roosevelt in the second spot on the ticket, again defeating William J. Bryan by an Electoral Margin of 292 to 155.

  • The Oil Boom is born

    The first major oil discovery in Texas occurs near Spindletop in Beaumont.

  • A Favorite American Pasttime is born

    The American League of Major League Baseball declares itself a Major League after one season as a minor league stemming from the minor Western League in 1899. The eight charter teams included the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Americans, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Blues, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Athletics, and the Washington Senators. 1901 signified its initial year of competition as a major league, competing against the senior National circuit.

  • The Platt Amendment

    The Platt amendment is passed by the United States Congress, which limited the autonomy of Cuba as a condition for American troop withdrawal. Cuba would become a U.S. protectorate on June 12.

  • McKinley is Inaugurated

    McKinley's second inauguration for the presidency.

  • The Pan-American Exposition

    The Pan-American Exposition opens in Buffalo, New York with nineteen international participants on 342 acres. It would close November 2, 1901 with a disappointing attendance of just over 5 million paid visitors, harmed by the tragedy of September 6.

  • Almost RIP President McKinley

    September 6, 1901 - President William H. McKinley is shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York while shaking hands with fair visitors, following his speech at the event on President's Day the day before. Anarchist Leon Czolgosz is arrested for the crime.

  • RIP President McKinley

    McKinley dies from his gunshot wounds and is succeeded by his vice president, Theodore Roosevelt.

  • Theodore Roosevelt is Inaugurated

    Following teh death of President McKinley, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt is sworn into the presidency.

  • The Rose Bowl begins

    The first Rose Bowl is held, pitting the college football squads of the University of Michigan and Stanford. Michigan won the initial contest 49-0. It would be fourteen years until the second game, in 1916, when Washington State defeated Brown.

  • Carnegie's New Years Gift

    A ten million dollar gift from Andrew Carnegie leads to the formation of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C.

  • WELCOME TO THE MOVIES! WELCOME TO THE STARS!!

    The first movie theatre in the United States opens in Los Angeles, California. It was known as the Electric Theatre.

  • Cuban Independence

    The island of Cuba gains independence from the United States.

  • The Air Conditioner (yay no more crazy hot summers in Texas :D)

    Willis Haviland Carrier, a native of Angola, New York, invents the air conditioner. He would patent the device on February 2, 1906 and his company would air condition such buildings as Madison Square Garden, The U.S Senate, and House of Representatives.

  • The Intercontinental Telephone

    The first two-way wireless communication between Europe and the United States is accomplished by Guglielmo Marconi when he transmits a message from President Theodore Roosevelt to the King of England from a telegraph station in South Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

  • The Primary System of Elections

    The first direct primary system in the United States is begun in the state of Wisconsin.

  • Cross Country: Road Trip Time!

    The first cross-country automobile trip in the United States is completed with arrival in New York. The trip had begun in San Francisco on May 23.

  • The First World Series Baseball Game

    The first modern World Series of Major League Baseball is held between the American and National Leagues after two years of bitter rivalry. It pitted the pennant winners of that year in a nine-game series, with the American League winner, the Boston Americans, coming out on top 5-3 in eight games over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Panama Independence

    With United States support after the Hay-Herran Treaty rejection by Columbia earlier in the year, Panama declares its independence from Columbia. The Panama government is recognized by President Theodore Roosevelt three days later.

  • Panama Canal = US Property!

    A canal treaty is signed allowing the U.S. to led construction of the canal.

  • The Wright Brothers' Flight

    Inventors Wilbur and Orville Wright succeed in the first sustained and manned plane flight, taking the heavier-than-air machine through the winds of Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina, and man into an age of flight. The plane, mechanically propelled with a petroleum engine, flew 120 feet in 12 seconds, and later the same day, flew 852 feet in 59 seconds. They would patent the Airplane three years later on May 22, 1906.

  • The Louisiana Purchase Exposititon & the First American Olympics

    The Louisiana Purchase Exposition opens. Renowned for its spectacular ivory buildings, the inventions of the ice cream cone, and the "Meet Me in St. Louis" song. The St. Louis exposition closed December 1 with over nineteen million visitors. It was held on 1,272 acres. The Summer Olympic Games of 1904 were also twinned with the fair and were the first Olympic Games held in the western hemisphere.

  • Theodore Roosevelt takes office

    Theodore Roosevelt wins his first election for President after serving three years in the office due to the death of William McKinley. He defeats Democratic candidate Alton B. Parker, 336 to 140 in the Electoral College vote.

  • The Tractor is invented

    The first successful field tractor is invented by American Benjamin Holt, using a caterpillar track to spread the weight in heavy agricultural machinery.

  • Roosevelt is Inaugurated: Round II!

    Theodore Roosevelt's is inaugurated for his second term as president of the United States.

  • LOS VEGAS: the Land of Casinos

    The city of Las Vegas, Nevada is formed with the sale of one hundred and ten acres in the downtown area.

  • The Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition

    The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition is opened in Portland, Oregon. The world's fair would host eighteen nations and three colonies, and close on October 15 with attendance of 1.7 million visiting its 402 acre site.

  • The Great Fransico Quake!

    The San Francisco earthquake occurs, estimated at 7.8 on the Richter scale. Its proximity to the epicenter of the San Andreas Fault and the subsequent fire that followed the quake and aftershocks left 478 reported deaths, although estimates in the future peg that figure at nearly 3,000. Between $350-$400 million in damages were sustained. Refugee camps were constructed at twenty-one sites throughout the city, including the Presidio, Fort Point, and Golden Gate Park.

  • The Antiqities Act

    June 8, 1906 - President Theodore Roosevelt grants protection to Indian ruins and authorizes presidents to designate lands with historic and scientific features as national monuments. This act, now known as the Antiquities Act, which would be utilized by Roosevelt to expand the National Parks system over his term.

  • The Pure Food & Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act

    The Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act is passed. These acts would ensure the safety of the health of American consumers.

  • USA Away!: Theodore Roosevelt

    The first official trip abroad by a United States president occurs when Theodore Roosevelt leaves for a trip to inspect the progress in the construction of the Panama Canal.

  • The RMS Lusitania is launched

    The RMS Lusitania, the largest ship at the time, is launched on its maiden voyage from London to New York.

  • Oklahoma is admitted as a state

    The Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory are combined to form Oklahoma and are admitted into the Union as the 46th state.

  • Putting on a Show: Military Style!

    The United States Great White Fleet of sixteen battleships and twelve thousand men begin their first round-the-world cruise.

  • THE NEW YEARS BALL DROP!

    The tradition of dropping a ball in New York's Times Square to signal the beginning of the New Year is inaugurated.

  • The Grand Canyon National Park

    Theodore Roosevelt names the Grand Canyon as a national park.

  • The First Passenger Aircraft Flight

    Technology moves forward as the first passenger flight on a plane occurs when Wilbur Wright escorts Charles W. Furnas in the Wright Flyer III at Huffman Prairie Flying Field in Dayton, Ohio.

  • Ford Model T

    The first production Model T is built at the Ford plant in Detroit, Michigan.

  • William Howard Taft takes office

    William Howard Taft is elected President, 321 to 162 Electoral Votes, over Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan, who had twice before been defeated for the office by William McKinley in 1896 and 1900.

  • The Washington Cherry Trees

    Mrs. Taft, the First Lady, has 80 Japanese cherry trees planted along the banks of the Potomac River.

  • America withdraws forces from Cuba

    The troops of the United States leave Cuba for the first time since the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

  • William Howard Taft is Inaugurated

    William Howard Taft is inaugurated as the 27th presidentof teh United States.

  • "Wait... Where's Santa's Workshop?!?!"

    Admiral Robert E. Peary, a Pennsylvania native, accompanied by four eskimos and a black man, Matthew Henson, arrives as the North Pole on their sixth attempt, establishing Camp Jesup. He had set sail for the pole nearly one year earlier on July 6, 1908.

  • NAACP is formed

    The National Conference of the Negro is conducted, leading to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP).

  • The Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition

    The Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition opens in Seattle, Washington. Attendance of 3,740,561, including free visitors, witness the world's fair held on 250 acres, including land of present-day Washington University.

  • Boy Scouts!

    The Boy Scouts of America is founded.

  • The Census of 1910

    In census of 1910 counted a United States population of 92,228,496. The 21% increase since the last census was the same rate of increase that had occurred during the previous decade. The center of the United States population was now within the city confines of Bloomington, Indiana.

  • American Tourism begins

    The start of American domestic tourism occurs with the establishment of Glacier National Park in Montana. Spurred by the development of the Great Northern Railroad, this park helped begin the See America First campaign to encourage United States tourists before and during World War I to visit the western states and territories.

  • The First Freight Aircraft Flight

    The first flight to carry freight would depart from Huffman and deliver its cargo to Columbus, Ohio.

  • The First Aircraft-Ship Landing

    In San Francisco harbor, Eugene B. Ely lands his plane on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania for the first landing of a plane on a ship.

  • Goodbye Standard Oil!

    Standard Oil is declared an unreasonable monopoly by the United States Supreme Court and ordered dissolved under the powers of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

  • The First Indie 500

    The Indianapolis 500 auto race is run for the first time in Indianapolis, Indiana. The race is won by Ray Harroun in the Marmon Wasp.

  • The First Trans-Continental Flight

    The first transcontinental airline flight was begun in New York by C.P. Rodgers. It would complete its journey to Pasadena, California after numerous stops and 82 hours and 4 minutes in the air on November 5.

  • The Automotive Transmission

    Henry Ford patents the Automotive Transmission, Patent #1,005,186.

  • Girl Scouts!

    The American Girl Guides, renamed the Girl Scouts one year later, is formed in Savannah, Georgia.

  • RIP RMS Titanic

    The largest ship in the world at the time, RMS Titanic, collides with an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, resulting in the deaths of more than half the passengers onboard.

  • The Katmai Eruption

    Mount Katmai in southwest Alaska erupts in one of the largest recorded volcanic expulsions in the history of the world. It was designated Katmai National Monument in 1918 as protection against future eruptions.

  • Woodrow Wilson takes office

    In the first election of a Democratic candidate since 1892, Woodrow Wilson overcame a three way race for the presidency when former President Teddy Roosevelt donned the nomination of the Progressive Party to tackle the election against Wilson and incumbent President and Republican William Howard Taft. This split caused the election of Wilson, who garnered 435 Electoral College votes to 88 for Roosevelt and only 8 for Taft.

  • Grand Central Terminal opens

    Grand Central Terminal, the world's largest rail terminal, opens in New York City. It is the third station on that site; the original depot built in 1871 and upgraded in 1900.

  • The 16th Amendment

    The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, allowing the Federal government treasury to impose an income tax.

  • The 17th Amendment

    The 17th Amendment is passed, which would set the policy for direct election of U.S. Senators.

  • The 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

    The 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg commemorates the Civil War battle. It draws thousands of remaining veterans of the battle and their families to the site of the Gettysburg Address and the northernmost battle of the war.

  • The Panama Canal is completed

    The construction of the Panama Canal comes to a close when President Woodrow Wilson begins the explosion of the Gamboa Dike.

  • The First Moving Assemby Line

    The first moving assembly line is introduced and adopted for mass production by the Ford Motor Company, allowing automobile construction time to decrease by almost 10 hours per vehicle

  • The Federal Reserve System is established

    A major reform of the American financial and banking system occurs with the authorization of the U.S. Congress for the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.

  • The Ludlow Massacre

    Ludlow, Colorado Coalfield Massacre occurs when the Colorado National Guard attacked a tent colony of one thousand two hundred striking miners, killing twenty-four.

  • The Catalyst of WWI: RIP Archduke Franz Ferdinand & Duchess Sophie

    The Archduke of Austria and his wife, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were killed by a Serb nationalist in Sarajevo.

  • The King of Baseball makes his first appearance

    Babe Ruth makes his major league debut.

  • WWI begins

    Austro-Hungary, with the backing of Germany, declares war on Serbia for failing to meet conditions set after the assassinations.

  • "Nope, we're staying out of this one! Have fun!"

    President Woodrow Wilson announces that the United States will stay officially neutral in the European conflict that would become World War I.

  • The First Trans-Continental Telephone Call

    Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson conduct the first telephone conversation between New York and San Francisco.

  • The US Coast Guard is established

    The United States Coast Guard is established, replacing the responsibilities formerly entailed within the services and stations of the U.S. Life-Saving Services.

  • The Panama-Pacific International Exposition

    The Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco opens, signalling the rebirth of the city after the destruction of the 1906 Earthquake and fire, with the theme on the opening of the Panama Canal. Forty nations and colonies would exhibit on its 625 acres, despite the tensions that existed due to the start of World War I. The 1915 San Francisco World's Fair remains one of the most spectacular events in world expo history, lasting 288 days, and hosting over 13 million visitors.

  • RIP RMS Lusitania

    The British ship Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat submarine, causing 128 American passengers to be lost. Germany, although it warned of the pending crises to passengers, issued an apology to the United States and promised payments.

  • The Pancho Villa Raids

    Pancho Villa raids Columbus, New Mexico and other border towns along the Mexican and United States lines with 1,500 troops, that would lead, on March 16, to General John J. Pershing entering Mexico in pursuit of Villa with the 7th and 10th U.S. cavalry. Wilson had authorized 12,000 troops to cross the border one day earlier.

  • The US Virgin Islands

    The United States purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million and would take possession of the islands on March 31 of the next year.

  • The National Park Service is established

    The National Park Service is officially created when President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation from Congress with the mission to protect and preserve the natural lands, historic sites, and wildlife of the system for future generations.

  • Woodrow Wilson takes office: Round II!

    Woodrow Wilson won a second term as President with his election in the Electoral College, 277 to 254 over Republican candidate Charles E. Hughes.

  • "From Germany...? Eh. Ignored."

    The United States government cuts diplomatic ties with Germany.

  • The Zimmermann Telegram

    The Zimmermann Telegram is given to the United States by the British, showing the offer by Germany to give Mexico back the southwest United States if they would declare war on the United States.

  • America joins WWI

    Four days after receiving the request from President Woodrow Wilson, the United States Congress declares war on Germany and join the allies in World War I.

  • The Conscription & Selective Services Acts

    The Conscription Act, the Selective Services Act is passed, authorizing the draft & the conscription of soldiers for the war in Europe.

  • American troops arrive in Europe

    The first troops from the United States arrive in Europe to assist European allies in World War I. Troops engaged in World War I would include conscript soldiers authorized by the passage of the Conscription Act, the Selective Services Act, on May 18, 1917. General John Pershing would be placed in command of the American Expeditionary Forces during the campaign.

  • The 18th Amendment: the Beginning

    The 18th Amendment, advocating the prohibition of alcoholic beverages throughout the United States, is sent to the states for passage by the United States Congress.

  • Over 1mil Americans in WWI trenches!

    By the middle of 1918, the United States military forces had over one million troops in Europe fighting in World War I.

  • The Spanish Flu: A Global Pandemic

    The influenza epidemic Spanish flu spans the globe, killing over twenty million worldwide and five hundred and forty-eight thousand people in the United States.

  • Time Zones are established

    Time zones are officially established by an act of the United States Congress with daylight savings time to go into effect on March 31.

  • The Air Mail Service is established

    The Airmail service is begun by the United States Post Office Department with regular service between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington.

  • WWI: The Beginning of the End

    Hostilities in World War I begin to end with the Austria-Hungary alliance for armistice with the allies on November 3. Armistice Day with Germany occurs when the Allies and the German nation sign an agreement in Compiegne, France.

  • The Paris Peace Conference & the First European visit by the US President

    Woodrow Wilson would become the first U.S. President to travel to Europe while in office when he sails to attend the Paris Peace Conference.

  • The 18th Amendment: Passed!

    With the state of Nevada becoming the 36th state to ratify the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibition becomes the law of the land. It would remain illegal to consume and sell alcoholic beverages in the United States until passage of the 21st Amendment, repealing the 18th, on December 5, 1933.

  • The First Trans-Atlantic Flight

    A United States navy seaplane begins the first transatlantic flight, making stops in Newfoundland and the Azores before touching ground in continental Europe in Lisbon, Portugal on May 27.

  • The Treaty of Versailles & the End of WWI

    The Treaty of Versailles is signed, ending World War I.

  • The Black Sox Scandal

    In the first major scandal in Major League Baseball, and to this day, the worst, nine players from the Chicago White Sox throw the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. It is forever known as the Black Sox Scandal with players, such as immortal Shoeless Joe Jackson, banned from the game and Hall of Fame forever.