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Battle of the First Bull Run
Also known as the Battle of Manassas between McDowell and Johnson/Beauregard in Fairfax County, Virginia. The result was a confederate victory, at only 30 miles away from Washington D.C. The first Battle of Bull Run was the first true battle of the civil war. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862 at Antietam creek or Sharpsburg, Maryland. The battle took place between Robert E Lee and general McClellan and was the deadliest one day battle for the civil war and for America. This battle was the last time that the south tried to invade the north and allowed Lincoln to issue the emancipation proclamation. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Considered the greatest victory for Robert E Lee, he took the army of the Potomac run by Joseph Hooker. Lee had half the troops Hooker had but used some trickery to make him think they had 3x as many troops as they actually did. This was also the last battle for Stonewall Jackson who was killed in friendly fire. -
Lincoln’s Assassination
Taking place at Fords Theater, Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Booth, a confederate sympathizer was plotting to kill Lincoln for a long time but was waiting for his opportunity. When he realized that Lincoln was going to be at that theater he made his move and killed him when everyone was laughing. -
13th Amendment is Ratified
Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865 but wasn’t ratified until December 6, 1865. Pennsylvania was the first to abolish slavery, 95 years before the 13th amendment. Most states accepted the ratification but Mississippi did not until 1995. -
14th Amendment Ratified
The 14th amendment was ratified on July 9, 1868 a king all men equal in the United States. It also was supposed to allow all men to vote but that wasn’t made official until the 15th amendment in 1870. It also granted citizenship to all people born in the US. -
Transcontinental Railroad is Finished
The transcontinental railroad mapped by Theodore Judah and was the first railroad to connect the east coast and west coast. The transcontinental railroad met at Promontory Point in Utah after the work on the railroad started in Omaha and Sacramento. The railroad quickly developed and had many new inventions added including the dining car and sleeping car. -
Barbed wire Invented
The barbed wire, invented by Joseph Glidden during the cow boom to prevent cows from escaping. Also it helped the farmers have their cows stolen or lost. It helped the wealthy to get wealthier partially because barbed wire is expensive and it got in the way of natives. -
Battle of Little Big Horn
The battle of little big horn was a native victory between Custer and sitting Bull. The battle was short lived for the natives because the US sent more of an army and crushed the natives. Battle was started because there was gold found on native lands and the US wanted it and the natives wouldn’t sell. -
Compromise of 1877
Election between Hayes and Tilden and was a compromise to solve the election problem of both sides being equal in votes. The compromised promised that Hayes get office and that the democrats/south get reconstruction removed. South was happy about this because they didn’t want reconstruction but it was forced on them after the civil war, and north was happy because they got the presidency that they so desperately wanted -
Brooklyn Bridge Opening
The Brooklyn Bridge, designed by John A. Roebling, is the largest suspension bridge upon opening. At 1500 feet of suspension it was one of the most amazing wonders of the world. John Roebling died mid way through the construction and it was taken control by his son who got injured and the his daughter in law finished it. -
Statue of Liberty Dedication
The Statue of Liberty, created and designed by Frederick Auguste Bartholdi, was a gift from France to the US celebrating the end of the revolutionary war. Placed in the Brooklyn Bay on Liberty Island and still stands today. Today you go up into the crown to view New York City and is a sign and image of Liberty in the United States. -
Basketball is Invented
Basketball, one of thee most popular sports in todays age, was invented in 1891 for the lack of winter sports. Invented by James Naismith, it was originally played in a peach basket on a stick or the wall, quickly the back board was added the a metal rim. Eventually developing due to the interest and amount of free time the people of the time had, grew very fast and now makes billions of dollars every year. -
Ellis Island Offically Opens
Ellis island was the major port for all European immigrants coming to America. All immigrants from the European area would travel to Ellis island where they would be questioned and examined to determine if they would be fine in the US and if they are sick or not. Ellis island was open for more than 50 years then it was shut down and later turned into a state park and tourist destination. -
Plessy v Ferguson
Plessy v Ferguson was a court case about segregation that went up to the Supreme Court. It started over the passing of Louisiana’s separate car law that said whites and blacks can sit in the same train car. Plessy who was 1/8th black sat in the all whites car and was arrested and sued Louisiana’s police department. -
US Declares War on Spain
The US declared war on Spain after their ship got “bombed” in the bay of Cuba. This bonding marked the start of the Spanish-American War. This war would last 6 months and would solidify the US as a world power. -
The Spanish Surende in Santiago Bay, Cuba
The US officially end the war with Spain in Santiago Bay, Cuba after 4 months of fighting. The US would go on to give a few country’s its idependance but would take Cuba and the Philippians as colony’s. The would solidify the US as a world power and would play a role in who was helping who during WWI -
Annexation of Hawaii
The annexation of Hawaii was a major event in the US because it allowed us to expand our states. Also it help us with less trade for sugar and allowed us to have a naval base and fill up spot in the middle of the pacific. It also was the place where Pearl Harbor happens which caused us to go into WWII -
Roselvelts Rough Riders
Teddy Rosevelts rough riders were the group of shoulders lead by rosevelt during the Spanish-American war. These rough riders became very famous and helped rosevelt become Vice President until the president was assassinated. Once the president was assassinated he became president and was a amazing leader for the US. -
Annexation of Philippines
The annexation of the Philippines was another major event because it marked and showed our power to the world. It also allowed us to have a naval base in Asia. The only problem was the people who hated the US there and attacked us. -
1904 Presidential Election
The 1904 election marks the first time president Teddy Rosevelt would become president on his own. Rosevelt won by a land slide beating Parker. Teddy would be elected mainly due to his service during the Spanish-American War and would become one of the great presidents. -
Angel Island Opens Up
Angel island, much like Ellis island was opened for the Asian immigrants and those coming through the west coast to be processed. Angel island was opened from 1910-1940 when it was shut down and is also turned into a state park and tourist destination. Angel island had some negatives because the US people thought Asians were not good for our country and would often be racist towards them. -
The Trangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
The first that broke out in New York that cause many safety changes. The factory went up in flames and the hoses didn’t work, there were no sprinklers to put out the fire, and the doors for the stairs were bolted shut. The factory caused many deaths but the good thing is that many workplace reforms were made because of this incident.