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The Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was held in Seneca Falls New York from July 19-20. The conference consisted of 300 individuals, including 40 that were men. This conference was a major first step in the women’s suffrage movement. It became a blueprint for women’s rights. -
Fort Sumter
On April 12, 1861, the confederacy made an attack on Union troops at Fort Sumter. It is often called a battle, but there were no casualties since the North surrendered. It was considered the first Southern victory and the start of the Civil War. -
The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was passed on May 20, 1862. It essentially offered 160 acres of free land to anyone. This was an important step in the expansion of the West as it encouraged American and immigrant families to move West. -
Pickett's Charge
On the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg, General Lee ordered Pickett's charge. It was a direct attack on the Union's center. General George Pickett's division was the largest that marched across the field. There were 5,000 casualties in 50 minutes. This attack did not succeed and became one of Lee's greatest mistakes. -
Lincoln’s 10% Plan
On December 8, 1863 Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation known as Lincoln’s 10% plan. His plan stated that when 10% of voting population took an oath of loyalty, their government would be recognized. This proclamation served as a pardon to all except high ranking confederate officials after the war. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
On November 15, 1864, the most destructive march campaign on civilians, known as Sherman's March to the Sea, began. General William Sherman lead troops from Atlanta to Savannah Georgia in an attempt to end the war by showing Southerners that their forces could no longer protect them. Essentially Sherman's army destroyed everything in their path. -
The Grandfather Clasue
The Grandfather Clause stated that if your Grandfather or father could vote on January 1, 1867, then they did not have to take the literacy test. This only aided poor white men's ability to vote. This caused African Americans to lose any political power they had. -
America Purchases Alaska
William Steward, the U.S secretary of State at the time, bought Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars in 1867. Many ridiculed this purchase. They nicknamed it "Seward's Icebox" because of Alaska's cold temperatures. -
Promontory Point
On May 10, 1869, the members of both the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad met at Promontory Point, Utah. Then the presidents of each railroad swung at the last golden spike. This event celebrated the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad. -
New York's First Subway Line
The first-ever pneumatic transit was designed by Alfred Ely Beach on February 26, 1870. Alfred put $350,000 out of his own pocket into the prototype and tunnel. There were 22 passengers on its first ride, but unfortunately, it was not successful. It wasn't until 1900 that a more modern subway project would occur. -
The Invention of Barbed Wire
On November 28, 1874, Joseph Glidden received a patent for an invention that improved wire fences forever. This new invention was barbed wire. It positively impacted the cattle industry as it allowed ranchers control over what their cattle were eating, which improved the quality of the meat. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1875
In order to put an end to the KKK and other anti-black groups, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was put in place. It made it a crime for an individual to deny equal and fair use of public services to black people. This bill prohibited discrimination in jury selection. -
The Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 officially marked the end of reconstruction. The 1877 election was a tie, so they came to a compromise. Republicans would get Rutherford B. Hayes as president and the Democrats would get an end to reconstruction. -
Ida B. Wells Refuses to Move
On May 4, 1884, Ida B Wells, a former slave from Mississippi, was riding a train from Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee. She had a first-class ticket, but when she was told to sit in the colored car, she refused and had to be forcefully removed. She then sued the railroad and ended up winning 500 dollars. -
The Brooklyn Bridge
On, May 24, 1863, the largest suspension bridge at the time opened up. This bridge was called the Brooklyn Bridge, as it connected Manhattan to Brooklyn, New York. It was designed by John A. Roebling and the bridge came to be a symbol of American ingenuity. -
The Sherman Anti-Trust
Congress passed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to ensure the ending of certain business activities and makes specific business endeavors like monopolies and cartels illegal. It also made it a requirement for the federal government to investigate companies and organizations being accused of these crimes. -
McKinley Tariff of 1890
Passed into law in 1890, the McKinley Tariff greatly increased tax on foreign products. This law opened the American market to Hawaiian sugar. As a result, it negatively impacted Hawaii's economy. Planters then began a cry for annexation so they wouldn't have to pay duty. -
The First On Ellis Island
On January 1, 1892, the first immigrant, a 17-year-old Annie Moore arrived at Ellis Island. Annie completed the journey from Queenstown, County Cork to Ellis Island along with her two brothers. Annie Moore's arrival on the island was a pivotal moment as she was to be the first of many others to make their way through. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Homer Plessy was arrested for sitting in the whites-only section of a train when he was 1/8 black and refused to move. He sued and took his case all the way to the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was legal as long as spaces were "separate but equal." This ruling would not be overturned until 1954. -
The USS Maine
President Mckinely sent a battleship to Cuba in order protect Americans. The USS explodes on February 1898. Americans blame Spain but there is no actual proof. This is what initiated the start of the Spanish American War. -
The Battle of San Juan Hill
On July 1, 1898, Teddy Roosevelt led a troop known as the Rough Riders to Santiago. An attack then was directed at San Juan Hill. America defeated the Spanish in this battle, which contributed to Spain surrendering and Teddy Roosevelt being seen as a war hero. -
The publishing of 'The Jungle'
'The Jungle', a book published by muckraker Upton Sinclair, exposed the harsh and disgusting conditions of the meat packing industry. In the book, Sinclair explains how he went undercover to learn firsthand what the workers do to the meat. He describes in detail the disgusting events that he witnesses during his time employed. The publishing of his book opens the eyes of Americans, including President Roosevelt, which leads to the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. -
The Opening of Angel Island
Angel Island officially opened its doors to immigrants on January 21, 1910. Angel Island was considered the Ellis Island of the west. While Ellis Island received mostly European immigrants, Angel received most of its immigrants from Asia. The process was much stricter here and many Chinese experienced oppression and difficulty entering the U.S. due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was an eye-opener to Americans on how factory workers were treated and how this mistreatment could be dangerous. A fire broke out in a shirtwaist factory in New York City and killed 146 workers due to the many flammable materials, locked doors, and fire escapes that were not long enough for workers to reach. This fire led to working conditions being improved and the creation of safety regulations. -
Women’s Suffrage Parade of 1913
On March 3, 1913, a parade for women’s suffrage was held in Washington DC and led by Alice Paul. There were about 250,000 spectators and eventually many of them began to interfere with the parade and harm those involved. Police officers did little to nothing to stop it, so in return, the U.S. army had to break it up. -
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
In the city of Sarajevo, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, was assassinated. He was attacked and murdered in their car along with his wife. The assassin was a Serbian named Gavrilo Princip. This event is considered one of the short term events that started World War I. -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania, a British steamship was sunk by a German U-boat. Over 1000 people died, including 128 Americans. This event is very important to WWI because it is one of the things that encouraged the U.S. to join the Allies. -
The Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood is considered the first major battle fought by the U.S. army. It was led by General John Pershing who became known as a hero for this battle. The purpose of the battle was to stop the Germans from getting to Paris. It was an allied victory. -
The End of World War I
Germany made arrangements with the Allies to sign an agreement to end the war. This agreement was called the Armistice. All fighting between sides was supposed to stop at 11 am, on November 11, 1918. -
Women Finally Get the Right To Vote
The women’s suffrage amendment was finally passed in 1920 after decades of woman fighting for their right to vote. The amendment was approved by the Senate in 1919 but 3/4 of the states had to vote yes in order for it to ratified. The vote came close with Tennessee being the last state to vote yes. -
Scopes Trial
The Scopes Monkey trial took place in Tennessee. John Scopes was a biology teacher teaching evolution with the support of the ACLU even though t it was illegal at the time. The ACLU hired Clarence Darrow who was the most famous lawyer of that era and the state hired Williams Jennings Bryan who was also a famous lawyer. Ultimately the state won and Scopes was fined $100. -
Charles Lindbergh Flys Across the Atlantic
Charles Lindbergh set one of the first records ever for flight in 1927. He flew his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, across the Atlantic all the way from Long Island to France. It took him a total of 33 hours. -
Prohibition Gets Repealed
The 18th amendment banned the purchasing and selling of alcohol while the 21st amendment repealed it. After over 10 years of prohibition failing the U.S. finally decided to repeal the amendment in 1933. This was and still remains the only amendment to be repealed.