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The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought on April 19, 1775, and began the American Revolutionary War. On the night of April 18, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to Concord to seize an arms cache. However, Paul Revere and other riders sounded an alarm, and the colonial militiamen set out to intercept the troops. A confrontation occurred in Lexington and the fighting continued until 1783 when the colonists won their independence. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
Washington and his troops set up camp at Valley Forge because it was close enough to keep an eye on British troops sheltering in Philadelphia. However, they were not aware that they would be spending six months there. The conditions were described as “suffering as usual." There was a lack of money, food, and organization which made life at Valley Forge even more miserable on top of the harsh conditions. -
Benedict Arnold Turns Traitor
Benedict was a hero of the Revolutionary War. However, he did not believe that he was receiving the recognition that he deserved. On September 21, 1780, Benedict Arnold was attending a secret meeting with a top British official. He agreed to turn over the U.S. post at West Point for money and a command in the British army. -
The Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was fought in South Carolina on January 17, 1781, during the Revolutionary War. American troops routed British forces. The American troops inflicted heavy casualties on the British. The Battle of Cowpens was a turning point in the war’s Southern campaign. -
The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution met and defeated the HMS Guerriere. This victory boosted the morale of the American public during the War of 1812. -
The Battle of Baltimore
The Battle of Baltimore was fought from September 12 to September 14, 1814. The Battle of Baltimore was a naval and land attack on the American forces. America proved its strength and defended Baltimore from harm. This event inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which is now today's national anthem. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was fought in January 1815. Militia fighters, frontiersmen, slaves, Native Americans, pirates, and future President Andrew Jackson suffered an assault by British forces. This attack caused devastating casualties for the American troops. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States. He was elected in the presidential election of 1828. He officially was inaugurated on March 4, 1829 -
The Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo lasted thirteen days, from February 23, 1836-March 6, 1836, during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico. A group of Texan volunteer soldiers was occupying the Alamo. On February 23, a Mexican force with thousands of soldiers began to siege the fort. While the Alamo was greatly outnumbered, they held their ground for thirteen days before the Mexican forces eventually overpowered them. -
Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and Arizona
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848. This treaty ended the war between the United States and Mexico. However, the treaty stated that Mexico would cede 55 percent of its territory, including present-day California, New Mexico, and Arizona. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States on November 6, 1860. He was the first Republican to win the presidency. -
South Carolina Secedes from the United States
South Carolina joined the United States of its own free will in 1788 and believed that it had the right to leave when it chose. William H. Gist, the state governor, informed the other southern governors that South Carolina would secede if Lincoln won the election. Therefore, on December 20, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the United States. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the Battle of Manassas, began the first important land battle of the American Civil War. About 35,000 Union troops marched from Washington, D.C. to engage in a fight with 20,000 Confederate forces near Bull Run on July 21, 1861. The Confederate forces became victorious which sent a surge of confidence through the South. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the most important
battle of the American Civil War. Union forces marched into Pennsylvania in late June 1863. Confederates clashed with the Union’s Army of the Potomac in Gettysburg on July 1. This fight continued until July 3 and the Confederates fell. -
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
On April 9, 1865, The Battle of Appomattox Court House was fought. Confederate General, Robert Lee, surrendered to Union General, Ulysses S. Grant. After Lee's surrender, it was put into writing that all officers and men were to be pardoned and sent home with private property -
The Sinking of the USS Maine
The USS Maine was one of the first American battleships. On February 15, 1898, a large explosion sunk the battleship in Cuba’s Havana harbor. This explosion's origins are unknown. However, an official U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry stated that the ship was blown up by a mine and did not place blame on the Spanish. -
The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
“The Star-Spangled Banner” lyrics were published in a Baltimore newspaper on September 20, 1814. Throughout the 19th century, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was regarded as the national anthem by many U.S. branches and governments. However, it was not until 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designing it as the national anthem. In March 1931, Congress passed an act confirming President Wilson's order; and President Hoover signed this on March 3. -
Battle of the Philippines
The Battle of the Philippines was fought on June 19 and 20 of 1944. The Battle of the Philippines was a naval battle of World War II between the Japanese Combined Fleet and the U.S. Fifth Fleet. It is known as “the greatest carrier battle of the war” and ended in a US Victory