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1877 – Reconstruction Ends
The Compromise of 1877 settled the contentious 1876 presidential election by giving Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency in return for pulling federal troops out of the South. This effectively marked the end of Reconstruction, letting Southern states manage their affairs without federal intervention -
1898 – Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War in 1898 was a conflict between the U.S. and Spain, kicked off after the USS Maine exploded. The U.S. won quickly, gaining control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking its emergence as a global power. -
1914-1918 – World War I
World War I (1914–1918) was a global conflict mainly between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers, sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It involved trench warfare, new deadly technologies, and caused massive casualties and destruction across Europe. The war ended with the defeat of the Central Powers and the Treaty of Versailles, which placed heavy blame and reparations on Germany. -
1929 – Stock Market Crash
In 1929, the U.S. stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. Over-speculation, risky investments, and a lack of financial regulation led to a sudden and massive drop in stock prices. The crash caused widespread bank failures, unemployment, and economic hardship across the United States and much of the world. -
1939-1945 – World War II
World War II (1939–1945) was a global conflict between the Allied Powers, including the U.S., Soviet Union, and United Kingdom, and the Axis Powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. It began when Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, prompting widespread warfare across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The war ended with the defeat of the Axis Powers, after the Holocaust, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the deaths of tens of millions worldwide. -
1945 – Atomic Bombs Dropped
In 1945, during the final stages of World War II, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). The bombings caused massive destruction and killed over 100,000 people, many instantly and others from radiation-related illnesses. These attacks led to Japan’s surrender on August 15, effectively ending World War II. -
1947 – Cold War Begins
In 1947, the Cold War began as tensions grew between the United States and the Soviet Union, two superpowers with opposing ideologies—capitalism and communism. Instead of direct military conflict, the Cold War was marked by political rivalry, nuclear arms buildup, espionage, and proxy wars around the world. It created decades of global tension and competition, influencing international relations until the early 1990s. -
1954 – Brown v. Board of Education
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The decision overturned the earlier Plessy v. Ferguson ruling, which had allowed "separate but equal" facilities. This landmark case became a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and helped spark efforts to end segregation across the United States. -
1963 – March on Washington
In 1963, over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a key event in the Civil Rights Movement. The march aimed to advocate for civil and economic rights for African Americans and promote the end of racial segregation. It was during this event that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for equality and justice. -
1964 – Civil Rights Act Passed
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, becoming one of the most significant pieces of legislation in U.S. history. It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places, employment, and education. This landmark law was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and helped dismantle legal segregation across the country. -
1969 – Moon Landing
In 1969, NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, with Armstrong becoming the first person to walk on its surface. The historic event, broadcast live to millions around the world, marked a major achievement in space exploration during the Cold War space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The moon landing symbolized American technological and scientific dominance and remains one of humanity's greatest accomplishments. -
1974 – Watergate Scandal
In 1974, the Watergate scandal erupted when it was revealed that members of President Richard Nixon's administration were involved in a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-up. Investigations uncovered widespread corruption and abuse of power, leading to a loss of public trust in the government. Faced with imminent impeachment, Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign, leaving office in August 1974. -
1991 – End of the Cold War
In 1991, the Cold War officially ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union, marking the conclusion of decades of political and military tension between the United States and the USSR. Economic struggles, internal reform movements, and the fall of communist governments in Eastern Europe led to the disintegration of the Soviet state. The end of the Cold War shifted global power dynamics, with the United States emerging as the sole superpower. -
2001 – 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, terrorist group al-Qaeda carried out coordinated attacks on the United States, hijacking four commercial airplanes. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, causing both to collapse, The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and led to widespread global security changes and the initiation of the War on Terror. -
2008 – First Black U.S. President
In 2008, Barack Obama made history by becoming the first African American elected President of the United States. Running as the Democratic candidate, he won the election against Republican John McCain, inspiring millions with his message of hope and change. Obama's victory marked a significant moment in U.S. history, symbolizing progress in the nation's ongoing struggle for racial equality. -
2011 – Osama bin Laden Killed
In 2011, U.S. Navy SEALs conducted a covert operation in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The operation, known as "Operation Neptune Spear," was carried out by SEAL Team 6, who raided bin Laden’s compound and confirmed his identity. His death marked a major victory in the War on Terror and brought a sense of closure to many affected by the 9/11 attacks. -
2016 – Donald Trump Elected
In 2016, businessman Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election as the Republican nominee, defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Despite losing the popular vote by approximately 2.8 million votes, Trump secured 304 electoral votes to Clinton's 227, flipping key swing states. His victory was considered a significant political upset, as many polls and analysts had predicted a Clinton win. -
2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The virus spread rapidly across the globe, leading to widespread illness, millions of deaths, and severe strain on healthcare systems. Governments implemented lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures to control the spread, while scientists raced to develop vaccines and treatments. -
2022 – Russia Invades Ukraine
In 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. The invasion led to widespread international condemnation, resulting in severe economic sanctions against Russia and substantial military and humanitarian support for Ukraine from Western nations. -
2021 – Capitol Riot
In 2021, a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The rioters breached the Capitol building, disrupting the certification of Joe Biden’s election win, leading to the deaths of several individuals and the injury of many others. The event resulted in numerous arrests and sparked national.