American History Timeline

  • French and Indian War

    French and Indian War
    The French and Indian War was a war between France and it’s Indian allies and Great Britain over France’s expansion into the Ohio River valley that ended in a British victory. This war occurred from 1754-1763 in North America. This event was important because it gave the British a lot of war debt that raised taxes.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    The Boston Massacre was a deadly riot on King street in Boston that began as a street fight between American colonists and a British solider but quickly escalated when a soldier fired his gun; five colonists were killed. This is important because it became a turning point in the beginning of the American Revolution. I chose this event because it united the colonists.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    The Boston Tea Party was a colonial protest on December 16, 1773 against British taxes. The colonists poured out the tea into the Boston Harbor. This was important because it was the first big protest against the British and caused them to pass the Intolerable acts against the colonists. I chose this event because it was the biggest protest against the British.
  • Continental Congress

    Continental Congress
    On September 5, 1774 delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met at Independence Hall in reaction to the Coercive Acts, a series of measures imposed by the British government on the colonies in response to their resistance to new taxes. This is important because it later led to the declaration of America. I chose this event because it impacted the government that we have today.
  • Battles of Lexington and Concord

    Battles of Lexington and Concord
    The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The battles took place on April 19, 1775 at Lexington and Concord. This event is important because it proved to the British that the American army was not just a band of unorganized rebels, but an army that deserved respect. I chose this event because it interested me that the Americans won the battles.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    The Declaration of Independence was singed by delegates from the 13 colonies to announce their independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This event is important because the colonists were finally free from British rule. I chose this event because it marked the date when the Americans were finally their own independent nation.
  • Treaty of Paris

    Treaty of Paris
    The Treaty of Paris was signed to end the Revolutionary war between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty was signed on September 3, 1783 in Paris, France. This treaty was important because it separated America from the British empire. I chose this event because it was the start of building the United States nation.
  • Constitution

    Constitution
    On September 17, 1787 the Constitution was signed by delegates from 12 states at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This event is important because the Constitution protects individual freedom and gives basic principles on how to govern the United States. I chose this event because without the Constitution we wouldn’t have a full list of basic human rights.
  • First President

    First President
    On April 30, 1789 George Washington was inaugurated as first president at the Federal Hall in New York City. This is important because George Washington helped to shape the office’s future roles and powers, and set formal and informal precedents for future presidents. I chose this event because I find it interesting that George Washington was not a only a good first president, but he was also a good strong military leader before becoming president.
  • Cotton Gin

    Cotton Gin
    On March 14, 1794 Eli Whitney patenta the cotton gin in New Haven, Connecticut. This event is important because it revolutionized the production of cotton by greatly speeding up the process of removing seeds from cotton fiber. I chose this event because it brought back slavery and made it more popular and that irritates me.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    Louisiana Purchase
    In 1803 the United States purchased Louisiana from France for $15 million. This is important because, it helped the united states expand across the country and it doubled the size of the Unite States. I chose this event because it amazes me how cheap the United States got Louisiana for.
  • War of 1812

    War of 1812
    The war of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain and was caused by British restrictions on U.S trade and America’s desire to expand its territory. The war took place in many locations: North America, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf Coast of the United States, and lasted from June 18, 1812 to February 17, 1815. This is important because it demonstrated the vital importance of an effective naval force. I chose this event because there was no distinct winner.
  • White House Burned Down

    White House Burned Down
    On August 24, 1814, British troops burned down the White House in Washington, D.C. This event was important because it was British retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario. I chose this event because it surprised me that the British burned down such a significant building in America.
  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri Compromise
    In 1820 tensions began to rise between people who were pro-slavery and people that were anti-slavery and they hit a breaking point when Missouri requester to be a slave state. To keep peace the congress put in place the Missouri Compromise; admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This is important because it began the conflict over slavery that later led to the Civil War. I chose this event because it interested me that there was a balance between free and slave states.
  • Monroe Doctrine

    Monroe Doctrine
    On December 2, 1823 President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine policy of opposing European colonialism in the Americas. This is important because it stopped European powers from colonizing additional territories in the Americas. I chose this event because it was a very important and significant policy in American history.
  • Mexican American War

    Mexican American War
    The Americans and Mexicans fought the Mexican American War because the Americans believed it was their right to expand westward. The war was fought in: the United States, Mexico, and San Diego county from April 25, 1846-February 2, 1848. This war was important because it helped the United States expand across the entire North American continent. I chose this event because I find it interesting that the Americans really believed they were destined to expand westward and could do what they wanted.
  • Civil War Begins

    Civil War Begins
    On April 12, 1861 a civil war breaks out between the Northern and Southern states to gain equality for all blacks. The war began in Fort Sumter, South Carolina when the Confederates bombarded Union Soldiers. This is important because the war eventually gained equality for blacks and completely ended slavery. I chose this event because I am black so the civil war is a very important event to me and my family.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln singed the Emancipation Proclamation in Washington to free all slaves. This was important because it gave slaves who were fighting for their freedom hope again and it gave the slaves who supported the Union moral support to depend on. I chose this event because it’s interesting to me that although this was supposed to free all slaves it actually did nothing at all.
  • Abraham Lincoln Assassinated

    Abraham Lincoln Assassinated
    On April 14, 1865 Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., by John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and confederate sympathizer. This event is important because it dramatically changed the reconstruction era. I chose this event because Abraham Lincoln had a very big impact on the freeing of slaves and equality for blacks and I hate that he had to be assassinated before he got to see the impact of his work.
  • Telephone

    Telephone
    In 1876 in the United States Alexander Bell invented the telephone. This invention was important because it allowed for communication along long distances. I chose this event because it helped industrialize the United States.