-
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where delegates from 12 of the 13 states were present. -
When the Constitution when into effect
The US Constitution was ratified by the required 9 states of June 21, 1788, but the new United States of America government did not open for business until March 4, 1789. -
When George Washington was elected president
Washington won with a total of 69 out of 69 votes in 1789. -
The bill of rights was passed
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. -
The Bill of Rights was Ratified
First 10 Amendments to the Constitution. James Madison was a strong supporter of the Bill of Rights. They were part of the compromise that ultimately resulted in the passage of the Constitution. These amendments protect individual rights against government intrusion. -
The Louisiana Purchase was signed
On April 30, 1803, representatives from the United States and France signed the Louisiana Purchase Treaty. -
War of 1812 begins
The War of 1812 with Britain resulted from issues of neutral world trade, conscription of U.S. men into the British Navy, and a rumored British alliance with enemy Indians. -
Battle of Waterloo
In this battle, the forces of the French Empire under the leadership of Michael Ney and Napoleon Bonaparte were defeated by the Seventh Coalition and a Prussian Army, which was commanded by Gebhard Von Blucher. -
Michigan becomes a state
On this site, in 1836, delegates from all parts of Michigan met in Washtenaw County's first courthouse to consider a proposal by Congress for settling the boundary dispute between Michigan and Ohio. -
Civil War begins
The American Civil War began at 4:30am on April 12, 1861, when General Pierre G. T. Beauregard's Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Beauregard's bombardment lasted for thirty-three hours until Union Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort. -
Civil War Ends
A civil war is a war between different groups of people who belong to the same country. The American Civil War was fought between the North (Union states) and the South (Confederate states). It lasted from 1861-1865, triggered by the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. -
13th Amendent is passed
On December 18th 1865, the 13th amendment to the Constitution was officially ratified. This amendment stated that neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude could exist in the United States. -
15th Amendment is proposed
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
15th Amendment is Ratified
Although ratified on February 3, 1870, the promise of the 15th Amendment would not be fully realized for almost a century. -
Colorado Becomes a State
It took sixteen years, four Colorado votes, three suggested state constitutions, and many attempts in Congress, for Colorado to FINALLY become the 38th state on Aug. 1, 1876, following a proclamation by President Ulysses S. Grant.
