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World War I
When World War I officially began July 28, 1914, the United States of America remained neutral. January 1917, the British military intercepted a telegram sent to Mexico from Germany asking for them to join Germany in the war. April 2, 1917 President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The Senate and the House of Representatives voted. Both agreed and the United States of America officially declared War on Germany on April 6th, 1917. -
19th Amendment Passed
Congress passed the 19th Amendment on June 4th, 1919. The Constitution was ratified by most states on August 18, 1920. The 19th Amendment granted women in the United States the right to vote. However, some states delayed the ratification. The last state to officially ratify the 19th Amendment was Mississippi in 1984, thirty six years after the Amendment was first ratified. -
Great Depression
The Great Depression began in the United States in August of 1929. "Black Thursday" took place on October 24th, 1929. Bank stocks began to lose their value which led to a stock market crash and many investors went to pull their money from the banks. The Great Depression lasted for ten years. Lots of people lost their jobs, homes, and livelihoods. -
World War II
Similarly to World War I, the United States did not enter World War II when it first started. The United States were just coming out of the Great Depression and trying to create a stronger economy. The United States at this time had a growing military which caused Japan to feel threatened, since there was a growing US naval base in Hawaii. On December 7th, 1941 Japan attacked the naval base. This attack caused the US to declare war on Japan on December 8th, 1941. -
Korean War
After the end of World War II, the Korean Peninsula was split into northern and southern counties. North Korea was influenced by the Soviet Union and South Korea by the United States. June 25th, 1950 North Korea began to attack and invade South Korea. The United States did not South Korea to be taken by the Soviet Union and was afraid of communism. The United States began to help South Korea fight back against the North Korean military. A peace agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. -
"I Have a Dream" Speech
Since the start of the slave trade in North America, African Americans have faced discrimination in the United States. During the 1950s-60s, a social movement formed to create equality for African Americans, end discrimination and segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a dream" speech at the Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C. to a crowd of 250,000 people. He hoped that someday his children and society would end their hate and discrimination against people of color in America. -
Apollo 11 Moonwalk
A time during the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States of America began to compete against themselves to get to space first. Both sides feared that if the other got to space, they could spy or attack them. After the Soviets succeed and got their first astronaut to space in 1961, Americans fear grew. It wasn't until NASA sent the Apollo 11 team to space in 1969 that the US had their victory. Neil Armstrong took the first step on the moon giving victory to the US in the space race. -
Vietnam War Draft
Similar to the Korean War, Vietnam was split between the north and south. North influenced by the Soviet Union. South allied with the United States. This war was different than the Korean War, because the US didn't want to lose the north to communism like North Korea had. On December 1, 1969, the Vietnam War draft began. Almost 2 million men were drafted to fight in the war. Society was split, many men and women fought against the draft. The use of this draft affected drafts for the future. -
President Nixon Resigned
June 17, 1972 five men were arrested for breaking into the democratic headquarters and stealing secret documents. Pres. Nixon was running for reelection and the country was split over the Vietnam War. Evidence came out connecting Nixon with the men who were arrested. He denied his involvement however on August 5th he released evidence showing his involvement. August 8th, 1974 he gave a televised speech that he was resigning the next day. His VP later pardoned him once he was sworn in. -
Los Angeles Riots
In Los Angeles, CA. on March 3rd, 1991 Rodney King was assaulted and beaten by four police officers on camera. The footage of his assault was released to the public and on April 29th, 1992 three of the officers were acquitted and one didn't get a verdict. Protesters outside of the courthouse began to gather and riot. They were outraged and felt the trial was unjust. Some of the protesters and community members began to assault, loot, and set fire to business and random people on the streets.