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The Battles of Lexington and Concord
These battles were the first major military movement of the Revolutionary War. The beginning shot, the famous "shot heard round the world", during these battles officially started the war between the British and the Colonies. The Colonists defeated the British, and the war only grew from there. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
The Winter at Valley Forge was difficult for the troops because of the harsh weather and lack of supplies. While it wasn't the coldest winter, the changing weather between freezing and thawing and snow and rain made the winter difficult. Many died because of the lack of supplies. -
Benedict Arnold turns traitor
Benedict Arnold fought for the Continental Army until he betrayed the U.S. and went to the British. He made secret overtures with the British, completely betraying the Continental Army. -
The Battle of Cowpens
This battle occurred during the Revolutionary War. This battle gave the Americans hope to keep fighting since they had defeated the British. This battle also further weakened the British military. -
The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
This battle between an American and a British warship occurred shortly after the first military engagement of the War of 1812. The British ship was very damaged and ended up surrendering. This battle gave the USS Constitution the nickname "Old Ironsides". -
The Battle of Baltimore
This battle was fought on sea and land during the War of 1812. This battle was important because it led Francis Scott Key, an American prisoner on a British ship, to write "The Star Spangled Banner". The Americans defeated the British. -
The Battle of New Orleans
This was one of the greatest land victories of the United States against the British. General Andrew Jackson led the U.S. military during this battle. This gave Andrew Jackson the fame he needed to be elected President later. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
This election, between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams, was one of the most significant. This was an election where the political parties were becoming more solidified, the majority of the states had begun to endorse a candidate, and political campaigns had become more common. The previous election year had caused some uproar between the candidates from Jackson and his followers because they believed the voting to be corrupt; however, Jackson came back and got more votes and was elected. -
The Battle of the Alamo
This battle occurred during the Texas Revolution. An attack by Mexican General Santa Anna and his men led to all of the Texans fighting to die. This was monumental for the Texans, who continued into future wars against Mexico with the motive to remember the Alamo. -
Mexico loses California, New Mexico, and Arizona
After being taken over by American troops, the Mexicans decided to sign a treaty to end the war. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War and made Mexico give up almost 55% of its land. This land included California, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of other future states. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
While it was very controversial, Lincoln won the election with mainly votes from just the Northern states. The South didn't want Lincoln elected because of his views on slavery, which is what caused them to rebel and break away from the country. -
South Carolina secedes from the United States
South Carolina was the first state to leave the Union and become the Confederacy. The main reason for them going was that Abraham Lincoln, who had different views on slavery, was elected. The rest of the South soon followed in South Carolina's footsteps and left the Union because they wanted to keep their slaves. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
This was the first major battle of the Civil War. The Confederates had defeated the Union. This battle made Americans realize that they had a bigger war than they had imagined on their hands. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
This battle had the largest number of casualties of the whole war. This was considered the war's turning point and pointed toward a Union victory because the Confederates had retreated South. This battlefield is where one of the most famous speeches was given by Abraham Lincoln. -
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
Since the United States didn't see the rebelling states as another country, no legal treaty was actually signed. This is a place where the Confederates, led by Lee, surrendered to the Union, led by Grant. It is seen as marking the beginning of the country transitioning back into a whole. -
The sinking of the USS Maine
The USS Maine was sent out to protect Americans during the Cuban rebellion against the Spanish. An internal explosion of the forward gunpowder magazines caused the ship to sink. The sinking of the ship is seen as a cause of the Spanish-American War because the U.S. blamed the Spanish. Many of the crewmen died. -
Battle of the Philippines
The people of the Philippines fought against American rule. Many people died, mostly from disease. The United States ended up victorious, and the Philippines was given to the U.S. as a territory in the peace treaty later signed. -
The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
"The Star Spangled Banner", originally just a poem, was put to music and named the National Anthem. While many other songs were used to represent the country previously, the words written by Francis Scott Key were the first and only official National Anthem. Today, the National Anthem is played often and is still admired by the American people.