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Warren G. Harding is inaugurated as the 29th president
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Washington Conference
Washington Conference on arms reduction successfully reduces the size of the US, British, Japanese, French and Italian fleets. The participants agree on a tonnage-ration of 5:5:3:1,75:1,75 and not to build any new capital ships. The "Open door policy" for China is concluded. -
Teapot Dome Scandal
Teapot Dome scandal breaks, as Senate launches an investigation into improper leasing of naval oil reserves during Harding administration. -
President Harding dies
President Harding dies suddenly. He is succeeded by his vice president, Calvin Coolidge. -
Coolidge's second inauguration.
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Tennessee passes a law against the teaching of evolution in public schools.
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Herbert Hoover is inaugurated as the 31st president.
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The Stock Market Crash of 1929
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression. It caused the suicides of many Wall Street businessmen, and threw many United States families into poverty as investments became worthless. -
The Star-Spangled Banner is adopted as the national anthem.
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Hattie Wyatt Caraway is the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate
Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas is the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of her husband. She is reelected in 1932 and 1938. -
The 20th Amendment
Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, sometimes called the “Lame Duck Amendment,” is ratified, moving the president's inauguration date from March 4 to Jan. 20. -
Hitler's rise to power
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Franklin Roosevelt is inaugurated as the 32nd president.
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The 21st Amendment is Ratified
Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, repealing Prohibition. -
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Bureau of Investigation (established 1908) becomes the Federal Bureau of Investigation under J. Edgar Hoover -
Social Security Act is passed
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F. Roosevelt's second inauguration
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Fair Labor Standards Act is passed
Fair Labor Standards Act is passed, setting the first minimum wage in the U.S. at 25 cents per hour. -
World War II: U.S. declares its neutrality in European conflict
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F. Roosevelt's third inauguration
F. Roosevelt's third inauguration. He is the first and only president elected to a third term -
Pearl Harbor
Japan attacks Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines -
U.S. declares war on Japan
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Germany and Italy declare war on the United States
Germany and Italy declare war on the United States; U.S. reciprocates by declaring war on both countries.