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1492
Columbus Voyage
Explorer Christopher Columbus mistakenly stumbles upon the Americas in 1492 while searching for a faster route to India. His journey marks the beginning of transatlantic colonization and the Columbian Exchange, which exchanged goods and ideas between the Native Americans and Europeans. -
The Founding of Jamestown
A group of English settlers arrive in Jamestown, Virginia as part of a joint-stock company known as the Virginia Company. Named after King James I, Jamestown became the first permanent settlement in North America. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact is signed. The document becomes the first example of documented self-government in the colonies. The Pilgrims aboard on the Mayflower decided to create the document of self government to ensure their survival and avoid corruption. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon leads a rebellion of backcountry farmers against the governor of Virginia and the Indians. The rebels burn Jamestown to the ground. Bacon's rebellion calls for the end of elite rule and removal of Indians. The rebellion emphasized the right to revolt against an unjust government and highlighted the tensions that are created by white settlers moving to Indian lands. -
Jonathan Edwards Preaches 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'
In 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God', Jonathan Edwards preaches about the idea that all humans are sinners and that God is angry at them, so they must ask for forgiveness. His sermon spreads the First Great Awakening ideas of equality, liberty, and resistance to authority throughout the American colonies. -
Albany Congress
Benjamin Franklin proposes the Albany Plan of Union for unifying the colonies at a meeting of delegates from seven of the colonies. The meeting held in Albany, New York proposes uniting the colonies for trade and military purposes. Although the plan was rejected, it ultimately planted the seed of the unification of the colonies for the first time ever. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was decreed, forbidding the colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. Anyone who was already settled there would have to move back east. The colonists were angered because they had expected Britain to allow them to settle in the new land they had acquired from France after the end of the Seven Years' War. A sense of resentment grew among them. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists dress up as Native Americans and dump hundreds of crates of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest unfair British taxation. Britain becomes furious and punishes colonists through the Coercive Acts (1774) as a result of the Boston Tea Party. This event further fuels the tension between the colonists and Britain. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The American Revolution begins when shots were fired as militia men and British troops came face to face. The shot heard 'round the world happened in Lexington, Massachusetts; no one knows which side fired first. The fighting in Lexington then continued in Concord. The battles of Lexington and Concord were victories for the colonists, which further fueled the revolution. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet, Common Sense. The propaganda piece criticizes the British monarchy and convinces many American colonists that they should become an independent nation. The plain language used speaks to the common people and builds the Americans' unique identity. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is signed, declaring that the U.S. wants independence from Britain. The document is issued by the Second Continental Congress. The colonists wanted independence from after years of unfair taxation and tension. The declaration inspired the colonists to fight during the Revolutionary War and other parts of the world to fight for their own independence. (The document did not automatically give them independence. They would still have to fight for it.) -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, the first government document of the United States, are ratified by all 13 states. The document creates a central government, unifying the newly independent states. However, the Articles are weak and do not give the central government enough power to do more than make laws. Therefore, they will have to be replaced in the future. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ends the Revolutionary War. The agreement is signed by British and American leaders, stating that the U.S. is now a free and independent country. The treaty removes Britain's claims to lands south of the Great Lakes and east of the Mississippi River. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is adopted by Congress. It creates the Northwest territory, establishes a precedent for statehood, and prohibits slavery in the new states. The ordinance creates an orderly manner to join the Union, creating states like Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. However, the Northwest Ordinance would create division over the abolition of slavery in the years to come. -
The Constitution
The Constitution is ratified by 9 of the 13 states, officially replacing the weak Articles of Confederation. The Constitution establishes the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judiciary. It also outlines how to add changes to the document. Today, the Constitution has endured and is still the highest law in the land. -
George Washington's Inaugural Speech
George Washington is sworn in as the first president of the United States. He gives an inaugural address, establishing the precedent of an inaugural speech for generations to come. During his presidency, George Washington accomplished many great things during his terms, such as establishing the federal court system and presidential cabinet. -
Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney receives a patent for his invention, the cotton gin. The cotton gin removes seeds from cotton fiber, replacing work previously done by hand. His invention begins making cotton profitable and transforming agriculture in the South. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
After the Alien and Sedition Acts, some states were infuriated. As a result, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were passed, which declared that states could nullify federal laws that the states considered unconstitutional. Although at the time, this concept provided a solution, the power of nullification would eventually be used by John C. Calhoun and southern states, leading towards the Civil War. -
Marbury v. Madison
William Marbury was appointed a justice by John Adams before the end of his presidency. However, James Madison refused to deliver the commission to Marbury. The court ruled that Madison's refusal to deliver the commission was illegal, but they did not order it to be issued since the Judiciary Act was in conflict with the Constitution. The court case therefore established the principle of judicial review, which gave the Supreme Court the right to declare laws unconstitutional. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson, using a loose interpretation of the Constitution, purchases 828,000 square miles from France, doubling the size of the United States. The Louisiana Purchase secures New Orleans and the Mississippi River for the U.S. and promotes westward expansion. The treaty is signed by Robert Livingston and James Monroe on May 2, 1803. -
Robert Fulton's Steamboat
Robert Fulton designs the first commercially successful steamboat. The steamboat's speed and ability to travel both ways greatly advances transportation in the United States. As a result of the steamboat, many canals are built to link towns to each other. -
Congress Outlaws Slave Trade
Congress bans the international slave trade. This means that the next generation of slaves would be born in the United States, rather than being imported. The increase in slaves due to reproduction would provide the South with the labor needed to support their cotton plantations. However, the actual end of slavery would not happen until over 50 years later. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise is passed, resolving the issue of slavery in the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. Missouri is admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state. The 36 30' line of latitude establishes the territory to the north being free and the territory to the south as allowing slavery. The compromise keeps the people happy, but does not address the underlying issue of slavery and the political divide happening in the country. -
Monroe Doctrine
James Monroe warns European nations to stay away from the continent of America and to not attempt to take over any newly independent areas. Any attempts to make a new colony would be considered an action against the United States. The Monroe Doctrine also states that America would not interfere with any newly independent countries. -
Henry Clay's American System Speech
Henry Clay first introduces his concept of the American System in his 1824 speech. His system sets the stage for economic development in the United States by improving infrastructure, raising tariffs to support businesses and industries in the North, and creating a National Bank. His system shows the impact that the government can have on the nation's economy and prosperity. -
American Temperance Society
The American Temperance Society is established in Boston, Massachusetts by Lyman Beecher. The ATS becomes the first social movement organization to gain massive national support for a specific cause. The group's goal was to limit alcohol consumption to improve the morals and values of Americans, as well as reducing crime and violence. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson sings into law the Indian Removal Act. The law resettles the native peoples west of the Mississippi River by creating the Indian Territory for them. The act marks the beginning of the forced relocation in what is known as the Trail of Tears. Indians resisted the controversial act, but most were forced to comply by force. -
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
The Cherokee argue that they are a separate nation and therefore not subject to the depriving rules of Georgia. However, the Supreme Court rules that the Cherokee are a "domestic dependent nation", so the court does not have jurisdiction over the case. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia legally defined the relationship between Native American tribes and the U.S. government. -
The Schism of 1840
William Lloyd Garrison's demand that the American Anti-Slavery Society support women's rights split the abolitionist movement. Since not everyone believed that women were equal to men, some of the men were opposed to having women hold positions in the organization. By splitting into the American Anti-Slavery Society and the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, the influence of abolitionism as a reform movement ultimately lessened. -
Telegraph
Samuel Morse sends the first telegraph message. Through this new invention, messages can be transmitted from a distance along a wire. Considered a time machine of its time, it allows messages to be transmitted way faster and cheaper than before. -
California Gold Rush
James W. Marshall discovers gold in California, officially commencing the Gold Rush. The Gold Rush caused massive numbers of immigrants to migrate out west in hopes of striking it rich. It ultimately sped up California's process of admission to the Union and economic growth. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, officially ending the Mexican-American War. The treaty states that the U.S. will pay Mexico $15 million for its northern territories, which include present day New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. The treaty also sets the Rio Grande as the border between Mexico and the United States. -
Seneca Falls Convention
Women's right activists meet in Seneca Falls in New York to rewrite the Declaration of Independence to include women. The document drafted is known as The Declaration of Sentiments. The Seneca Falls Convention becomes the first women's rights convention in the United States and marks the starting pistol of the women's rights movement. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 settles the issue of slavery for the time being. Created by Henry Clay, it enters California as a free state and outlaws the slave trade in Washington D.C. To satisfy slavery supporters, it allows the territories to choose between being a free or slave state based on popular sovereignty. It also creates the Fugitive Slave Act, legalizing the arrest of runaway slaves. The compromise added new states, but only kept peace for a short time. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott argues that since slavery is illegal where his master moved, he is a free man. However, the Supreme Court rules that slaves cannot sue because they are not citizens, establishing that they are property. Therefore, Congress cannot ban slavery from the territories since it has to protect property under the 5th Amendment. -
Election of 1860
Republican candidate Lincoln is elected for president, winning against John C. Breckinridge and Stephen Douglas.
However, the nation was so split on the slavery issue that his election was not accepted my many southern states. The Election of 1860 therefore led directly to the secession of South Carolina, followed by other southern states. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter marks the beginning of the Civil War, one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history. On April 12, 1860, the Confederates opened fire after Lincoln sent a ship to resupply the fort. The battle resulted in a confederacy victory after the Union surrendered due to lack of supplies. -
Homestead Act of 1862
President Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, which gave any head of a household 160 acres of land in exchange for living on the property for five years and improving it. The act promoted westward expansion and increased the agricultural productivity of the west. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg results in a Union victory and marks the turning point in the Civil War. The Confederate and Union armies accidentally meet in Pennsylvania, resulting in over 50,000 casualties after three days of fighting. Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the North fails, retorting him back to his defensive strategies. -
Surrender at Appomattox
General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, marking the end of the four year Civil War. General Grant accepts the surrender but refuses to accept his sword out of respect for Lee. The surrender terms were generous; the Confederates could keep their weapons and horses and would not be charged for treason. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolishes slavery in the United States. Although Lincoln had passed the Emancipation Proclamation, it only freed slaves in Confederate states, so it did not end the institution of slavery like how the 13th Amendment did. In order to get back to the Union, the Confederate states would have to ratify the amendment and add it to their state constitution. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment is ratified, declaring that all people born or naturalized in the United States are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws. It also denies former Confederate officials from holding national or state office. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad is finally finished after being built by the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific companies. The golden spike ceremony is held at Promontory Summit, Utah to celebrate the grand accomplishment. The Transcontinental Railroad now links the eastern United States to California, transporting people and goods across the country in a matter of days. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment is ratified, which states that any citizen cannot be denied the right to vote because of their race. The 15th Amendment therefore gave black men the right to vote. Despite this great accomplishment, the South passed laws or used violence to disenfranchise them. Also, women still didn't have suffrage, which was upsetting for women who were abolitionists. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
Sioux forces led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull surround and defeat Custer and his troops in what is known as "Custer's Last Stand". The Battle of Little Bighorn marks the Native Americans' biggest victory in the Indian Wars. However, their success was short-lived as the battle caused more troops to be sent to move the Native Americans into reservations. -
End of Reconstruction
Rutherford B. Hayes becomes the 19th president of the United States. This marks the end of the Reconstruction era since the last federal troops are removed from the southern states of Louisiana, South Carolina, and Florida after the Compromise of 1877. Since these states become Democratic again, they stop protecting the civil and political rights of blacks; instead they begin passing Jim Crow segregation laws. -
Dawes Severalty Act
The Dawes Severalty Act is passed, which redistributes native lands and confines Native Americans to lives on reservations. The act promises the Indians tracts of land to farm in order to assimilate them into white society. The bill's intent is to break tribal ties and gain access to Indian lands, which shows the government's disrespect towards the Native Americans and their way of life. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was signed into law, banning any trust that restrained interstate, trade, or commerce in the United States. This law was important because it marked the government's first federal action against monopolies and first involvement in economic affairs. It would mainly be used by Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency to break up "bad trusts", but allow good trusts to stay. However, the act would lack any real teeth until the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914. -
Jacob Riis Publishes "Where The Other Half Lives"
Jacob Riis publishes his book Where The Other Half Lives, highlighting the terrible conditions of the tenement houses of the big cities through his photographs. During this time, many immigrants lived in the slums of New York, but most Americans were unaware of the harsh conditions inside the buildings. Therefore, Riis' work shocked the middle class and led to reforms to help immigrants and to make tenement housing safer and more spacious. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court legalizes segregation in public facilities, military, courtrooms and other places under the notion that they must be "separate but equal". This court ruling indicates that Jim Crow segregation laws do not violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. -
Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech
William Jennings Bryan delivers his famous Cross of Gold speech, criticizing the gold standard. He says, "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold." His speech allowed him to become a presidential candidate for the Democratic Party and illustrated the social and economic tensions of the people of the United States during the Gilded Age. -
Annexation of Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam
The Treaty of Paris of 1898 ends the Spanish-American War, which was fought to gain Cuban independence. As a result, Spain cedes the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States. The islands can be used as refueling stations or naval bases, which benefits the United States. -
Roosevelt Corollary
President Theodore Roosevelt announces the Roosevelt Corollary, which extends the Monroe Doctrine and asserts the right of the United States to police the Caribbean. As a result, American intervention in Latin America increases and the U.S. strengthens its army and navy. As president, Roosevelt believed in his "big stick diplomacy", which was the idea that showing force and military preparedness would be a deterrent for war with European nations. -
Antiquities Act
President Roosevelt signs the Antiquities Act, which allows the president to protect areas of scientific or historical interest on federal lands as national monuments. Since Congress's involvement is not required, the law allows for a fast method of conservation. Many monuments created by this law later became national parks. The act's impact is still felt today as beautiful sites such as Arizona’s Grand Canyon and Washington’s Mt. Olympus are still protected to this date. -
Sinking of Lusitania
German U-boats sink the passenger ship RMS Lusitania, leading to the death of 2,000 people, including 128 Americans. The Germans had employed a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, which meant they were sinking ships without warning. Americans were angered by the innocent lives lost, which influenced many to support U.S. involvement in the war. The sinking greatly turned American opinion against the Germans and helped bring the U.S. closer to entering WWI after having a neutral stance. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The Zimmerman telegram is intercepted by the United States on January 16, 1917. The telegram message sent by Germany to Mexico urged Mexico to join the Central Powers, promising that if the U.S. joined the war, they would help Mexico recover their lost territory. The message was considered an act of war as Germany was openly plotting against the U.S. Ultimately, the Zimmerman telegram was the tipping point that persuaded the U.S. to join WWI a few months later. -
U.S. Entry Into WWI
President Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war against Germany, which leads the United States to enter World War I as an Allied Power on April 6, 1917. After trying to stay neutral, the U.S. could no longer stand by after Germany continuously attacked U.S. ships and attempted to start conflict through the Zimmerman telegraph. As a result of the U.S. involvement in the war, millions of soldiers would be sent over to fight, which would alter the course of the war. -
Wilson's 14 Points Speech
Wilson delivers his "Fourteen Points" speech to Congress, which outlines his plan for post-World War I. His plan advocates for self-determination of nations, freedom of the seas, removal of trade barriers, and a league of nations to maintain the peace. Wilson hoped that through his points, he could prevent future wars from happening. Ultimately, his speech became a basis for German surrender in WWI and peace in the Treaty of Versailles. -
18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment was ratified, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. This officially began the Prohibition era, which would last until 1933. However, the temperance movement's ultimate goal had unintended consequences. Rather than curing the social ills of America, the 18th Amendment led to new forms of corruption. Bootleggers sold alcohol illegally through the black market and speakeasies emerged. -
Schenck v. United States
Charles Schenck, a socialist, was arrested for handing out pamphlets telling men not to enlist in WWI, causing him to be convicted for violating the Espionage Act of 1917. At the Supreme Court, he argued that his conviction violated the First Amendment. However, the court ruled that government can limit freedom of speech if it provokes "a clear and present danger" to the public/government. The case shows how government sometimes sacrifices individual freedoms in order to preserve social order. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote after a decades long fight for suffrage. This marked a great victory for women and the women's suffrage movement as their ability to vote would allow them to gain more influence and independence outside of the home; they finally had a voice in politics for the first time. Many western states had already granted women the right to vote, so the amendment made sure that the rest of the states followed. -
Henry Ford Lowers Automobile Price
Henry Ford applies assembly line processes to his Model T automobile, reducing the production time to only 90 minutes. As a result, the price drops to $260, which leads the average middle class family to be able to afford an automobile. The automobile therefore leads to booms in construction/housing and other businesses like gas stations and motels, changing American culture forever. Americans can now move out to the suburbs instead of living in cities and explore new leisure activities. -
KKK Marches on Washington
The Ku Klux Klan demonstrates its power with a massive march on the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Over 30,000 members attend the parade, wearing white robes and no masks. During the 1920's, the KKK reached its peak height, with over 5 million members around the nation. The group used violence and intimidation in order to restore justice and preserve American values. They targeted many African Americans, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews, seeing them as a threat to the American way of life. -
Sacco and Vanzetti
Sacco and Vanzetti are executed in the electric chair. They were charged with the murder of an employee during an armed robbery and found guilty, which led to their death sentence. However, there was little evidence to suggest that they committed the crime. The trial took place during the Red Scare, a time of tension where there was a rising hatred against communism and immigrants. It was apparent that they did not receive a fair trial due to their anarchist beliefs and Italian heritage. -
Stock Market Crash of 1929
On October 29, 1929, Black Tuesday hit Wall Street, marking the greatest stock market crash in American history. Stock prices collapsed, causing the loss of thousands of investors and billions of dollars. The underlying causes of the crash included buying stock on margin, excessive consumer debt, bank loans, and problems in the farm sector. This event marked the end of the prosperity of the "Roaring 20s" and the beginning of the long lasting Great Depression, a time of despair and unemployment. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt Becomes President
Franklin D. Roosevelt begins his first term as president of the U.S. after Herbert Hoover. Determined to get America out of the Great Depression, Roosevelt introduces his program nicknamed the New Deal during his first 100 days. Focusing on the 3 R's (Relief, Recovery, Reform), FDR creates new agencies and programs to protect people from economic disaster and provide relief or temporary work. FDR's impact is still felt today as he fundamentally changed the role of the federal government forever. -
Social Security Act of 1935
President Roosevelt signs into law the Social Security Act. The act guarantees retirement payments for enrolled workers beginning at age 65 and sets up a federal state system of unemployment insurance for dependent mothers, children, and the handicapped. The act became a milestone because for the first time, the federal government was assuming responsibility for the well-being of many of its citizens. It became one of the most popular government programs in American history. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing more than 2,400 Americans. The surprise attack on the naval base destroyed nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and over 300 airplanes. The very next day, FDR spoke before Congress calling December 7 "a date which will live in infamy" and officially declared war against Japan. Although the Pearl Harbor attack was truly a devastating event, it ultimately brought the American people together as they entered WWII. -
Executive Order 9066
President Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066, which is used to remove 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps. The motivations behind the order include war paranoia on the West coast and overall discrimination against Asians. The Japanese Americans are therefore detained in prison camps for the duration of the war, losing their homes and possessions. This marks a huge violation of civil rights since the majority of them were American citizens, so their rights were not being protected. -
D-Day
Led by Eisenhower, 155,000 Allied troops invaded Europe at Normandy, France to fight against Nazi Germany. For 18 months, the U.S. and England had been planning the invasion to open a second front in Europe. The attack consisted of paratroopers, bombarding the shore, and pushing inland past the beaches. The event was the largest seaborne invasion in history. It also marked the turning point of WWII since the successful invasion was the key to winning the war. -
Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States drops their newly developed atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing thousands. After Japan still refuses to surrender after Hiroshima, the U.S. drops a second bomb on Nagasaki on August 9. President Truman authorized the use of nuclear weapons in an effort to end the war with Japan and save the lives of thousands of Americans. The bombings resulted in massive destruction and the loss of 210,000 lives, but ultimately led to the end of the war. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman asks for Congress for $400 million in aid and troops to help the people of Greece and Turkey fight against communist/totalitarian revolts. Truman's policy of containment states that the U.S. will support any nation that is being threatened by communism both economically and military. Therefore, the doctrine becomes an informal declaration of the Cold War against the Soviet Union and sets America on the world stage for monitoring the spread of communism. -
U.S. Enters NATO
The United States enters NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance to strengthen common defense. The members of the pact, including Canada and 10 western European countries, agree that an attack against one more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. The main purpose of NATO was to counter Soviet expansion during the Cold War. The USSR would respond by creating its own alliance through the Warsaw Pact. -
Joseph McCarthy Says Communists Are in State Department
Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy gives a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, announcing that he has a list of 205 Communists that are working in the State Department. His speech gains national attention and leads to a hunt for alleged communists in government, in what becomes known as McCarthyism. To this day, McCarthy remains a prominent symbol of the Red Scare, a period of hysteria and fear of communism. He was able to capitalize on false claims to gain power. -
Execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenburg
Communists Ethel and Julius Rosenberg are executed for espionage by the electric chair. They were charged with conspiracy for transmitting atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union and found guilty by a jury. Amidst the height of the Red Scare, the Rosenberg trial fueled the fears of the American people since the threat of Communist spies was supported by the Rosenberg case. Their execution led to a public outcry because of the lack of information leading to their arrest and execution. -
End of Korean War
The Korean Armistice Agreement is signed, officially putting an end to the Korean War. The armistice creates a two mile territory where no fighting can occur, allowing the countries to return to pre-war terms.
The war had initially begun when North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel line in an attempt to invade South Korea. This led the United States to intervene in an effort to contain North Korea's communism and prevent a domino effect, becoming a proxy war between the U.S and USSR. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
The Supreme Court strikes down the Plessy v. Ferguson "separate but equal" decision. In the case, Linda Brown was represented by Thurgood Marshall, claiming that black schools were not at all equal to the white schools. They were able to prove that her black school was of lower quality, which showed how segregation was violating the 14th Amendment. The court ruling fueled the civil rights movement and would be used to overturn segregation in other public facilities. -
Arrest of Rosa Parks (Beginning of Montgomery Bus Boycott)
Rosa Parks, an influential leader of the NAACP, is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Four days after her arrest, a massive boycott of the city buses begins, which ends up lasting for over 380 days. The Montgomery bus boycott showed the power African Americans could have if they worked together and marked one of the first major victories for African Americans as bus segregation was eventually declared unconstitutional. -
Federal-Aid Highway Act
The Highway Act of 1956 authorized the construction of 42,000 miles of interstate highways, linking all the nation’s major cities and becoming the nation’s largest public works project in history. It ultimately stimulated the economy by speeding up the transportation of resources and products, and accelerated the growth of the suburbs and automobile usage. In addition to these benefits, the roads acted as emergency runways in case evacuation was needed from a nuclear weapon attack. -
Election of 1960
Democrat John F. Kennedy ran against Republican vice president Richard Nixon. The election was the first in which television played a prominent role. In a series of four nationally televised presidential debates watched by over 75 million Americans, Kennedy was aided by his TV charisma, while Nixon was harmed by his pale and nervous appearance. In a very close race, Kennedy won and became president, receiving 49.7 percent of the popular vote to Nixon’s 49.5 percent. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
1,400 American-trained Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs in an attempt to overthrow Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro. The CIA plan had been approved by president Kennedy. However, the exiles were badly outnumbered and they failed to set off a general uprising, making the invasion unsuccessful. As a result, Kennedy had to take full responsibility for the defeat. The failed invasion strengthened Castro's government and caused him to ally with the Soviet Union. -
Russia Removes Missiles From Cuba
Nikita Khruschev orders the withdrawal of missiles from Cuba, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. In return, the U.S. agrees not to invade Cuba and to remove American missiles in Turkey. The Cuban missile crisis had begun when Castro had allowed the USSR to set up missiles in Cuba aimed for the U.S. When they were discovered, Kennedy began a naval blockade to prevent Soviet ships from bringing in more weapons. The crisis was the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a nuclear war. -
MLK's I Have A Dream Speech
Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. King's heart wrenching speech reveals his dreams of equality for him and his children. The march on Washington marked the height of the Civil Rights Movement as they pushed for equality. Martin Luther King was very influential and moved many people through his nonviolence, civil disobedience, and leadership. -
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a convertible in downtown Dallas, Texas. Kennedy's traumatic assassination shocked the nation to its core, leading to mourning and fear about the future of America. Only two days after his death, his alleged killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, was assassinated in front of television cameras by Jack Ruby. JFK's death meant that the nation would have to turn to Lyndon B. Johnson to address social reforms, civil rights, and the Cold War. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. Therefore, it made racial discrimination or segregation illegal in places such as restaurants, motels, and other public locations. It also forbade discriminatory employment practices. The law led to the end of Jim Crow laws, which was a huge step in the fight for civil rights. However, the struggle against racism would continue. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gives president Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to use any measures necessary in Vietnam. Essentially, Johnson has a blank check to commit US troops to South Vietnam and fight against North Vietnam without a formal declaration of war by Congress. This would lead Johnson to begin Operation Rolling Thunder, a bombing campaign over North Vietnam in an attempt to end the communist control of North Vietnam. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned discrimination in local, state, and national elections and polling places. It prohibited literacy tests, poll taxes, and other forms of violence/intimidation that once kept minorities from voting. The law provided millions of African Americans with the opportunity to finally register to vote, greatly affecting voter turnout and political power in Southern states. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Immigration Act of 1965 in a ceremony held at the Statue of Liberty. Also known as the Hart-Celler Act, the act reverses the previous 1924 quota system, which had favored Northern Europe and set a quota on the number of immigrants allowed into the U.S. The new system allows more immigrants into the United States, so people from Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America are able to take advantage of the new opportunity and move/reunite with their families. -
Moon Landing
Astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon. As part of mission Apollo 11, Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Michael Collins set off on the first lunar landing attempt. By landing and stepping men on the moon, the U.S. successfully "won" the space race against the U.S.S.R., which had begun in 1957. The landing marked a giant leap for mankind. Besides being a technological breakthrough, it also stood a symbol for American superiority in the Cold War. -
Creation of Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency is created by President Richard Nixon and Congress. The agency is designed to enforce environmental laws, conduct environmental research, and reduce
human health and environmental risks from pollutants. The agency would become essential to protecting the environment and safety of Americans. Following the establishment of the EPA, other new laws would be put in place, such as the Clean Air Act, Water Pollution Control Act, and the Endangered Species Act. -
Roe v. Wade
In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the U.S., claiming that it fell under the Constitutional right to privacy. The case arose when Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe) had wanted to terminate her pregnancy, but couldn't in the state of Texas.
The court decision forbade state control over abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy, but permitted limits in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Today, abortion continues to be a very controversial matter in the U.S. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords, also known as the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam, is signed in Paris by the U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Vietcong. The agreement ends United States military involvement in South Vietnam, temporarily stopping the fighting between the North and South. Although the armistice did not end the war, it allowed the United States to remove itself from the matter so that no more American lives would be lost, which made Americans happy. -
War Powers Act
Congress overrides Richard Nixon's veto and passes the Wars Powers Act of 1973. The act severely limits the president’s ability to wage war without Congressional approval. The act was passed as a result of Nixon's secret bombings in Cambodia, which had been hidden from Congress and the American people. Ultimately, the War Powers Act keeps the president's power in check by having him consult and report to Congress before sending troops abroad. -
Resignation of Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon resigns as president of the United States, rather than facing impeachment for his role in the Watergate scandal. In the scandal, a break-in at the Democratic National Committee office was covered up by the Nixon administration, which was considered obstruction of justice. Consequently, vice president Gerald Ford becomes president. As a result of the Watergate Scandal, many Americans lost faith in the federal government, causing great damage to the reputation of the presidency. -
Camp David Accords
After meeting for 13 days, the Camp David Accords are signed by President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. In the agreement, Egypt recognizes Israel as a legitimate state and Begin agrees to return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. The Camp David Accords were Carter's greatest achievement as president, leading to the first peace framework between Israel and Egypt. This peace created a great change in the Middle East. -
Three Mile Island Nuclear Incident
A nuclear power plant located south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, overheats and fails, causing radiation to be admitted into the air and water. More than 100,000 people are forced to flee their homes as a result. The Three Mile Island incident leads directly to the decline of the U.S. nuclear power industry and greater distrust towards the government's control and regulation of nuclear reactors. Americans became more aware of environmental concerns through the incident. -
Ronald Reagan Becomes President
Ronald Reagan wins in a landslide against Jimmy Carter because of Carter's unpopularity during his presidency. After the stagflation, poor economy, and Iranian hostage crisis of the 1970s, Carter was perceived as a weak president, which led many to place their support on Reagan. In his 1980 campaign for presidency, Reagan promised to cut taxes, increase defense spending, remove government regulations on some industries, and return America to spiritual values, which the conservatives supported. -
Iran-Contra Affair
Representative Henry B. Gonzalez introduces articles of impeachment against Ronald Reagan regarding the Iran Contra affair, leading to joint hearings over the summer. The Reagan administration secretly sold arms to Iran in exchange for the release of Americans held hostage and then used the profits from that sale to illegally support insurgents in Nicaragua even though Congress had objected. The ploy was illegal and constitutional, but in the end Reagan did not face impeachment. -
Collapse of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union dissolves into the separate countries of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The Iron Curtain is lifted, finally putting an end to the Cold War. The collapse of the USSR was in part due to the free elections, openness of Gorbachev, and fall of the Berlin Wall. Americans were both joyful and shocked as they have been living under Cold War culture their whole lives. The end of the war meant that they could enjoy security and prosperity at home. -
North American Free Trade Agreement
President Bill Clinton signs the North American Free Trade Agreement into law. The goal of the agreement is to promote economic prosperity and cooperation among the United States, Mexico, and Canada by creating the largest free trade zone in the world. As a result of NAFTA, trade greatly increased between the three countries and goods became cheaper due to the removal of tariffs. -
9/11 Attacks
Terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and intentionally crashed two of them into the of the World Trade Center in New York City. The twin towers collapsed, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring many more. America was devastated by the attack, which was led by Osama bin Laden. As a result, Americans united together as one nation and enacted new security measures in place, especially in airports, to prevent future terrorist attacks. The attacks are remembered every September 11th.
