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Oct 12, 1492
The Discovery of the "New World"
On October 12th, 1492, Christopher Columbus "discovered" the New World by accident. Columbus led 3 ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina, to what was supposed to be the Indies but ended up accidentally discovering a new land without even realizing he had. He named the land San Salvador. The event impacted our history greatly by introducing Europeans to the land for the first time. Although they didn't know it at the time, they actually discovered modern day North and Central America. -
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence
This event declared the 13 colonies that Great Britain had originally set there, free to function and prosper without Great Britain having any control over it. With this document, the possibility of establishing the United States of America became not only possible but inevitable. -
The Signing of the Constitution
The signing of the Constitution shaped American History by setting the goverment in place that we still use even today. The Constitution also posed as a model for other countries to model their pending governments after as well. It also revolutionized the thought of a Republican method of governing. -
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was to learn about the northwest's natural resources & population. It set the stage for western settlement which would allow the minute and young United States to grow exponentially. Also, the expedition gave the U.S., a better grasp of the northwestern geography and led to one of the first precise maps of the area. -
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution had the most profoud effect on the United States in 1820-1860. It begane in Great Britain and spread throughout Europe, eventually inching its way into the U.S. It transformed the economy by taking on capitalist aspects and encouraging new inventions to improve effeciency and decrease time spent doing one task. -
The California Gold Rush
Gold is discovered in California. People form all over the country flood into California, followed by people from all over the world. It brought many people to America looking for money, and started the settelement of the West. -
The Civil War
The Civil War played an extremely important role in developing modern day America. The U.S. divided as two seperate forces, fighting against each other with different beliefs. If this war had ended differently, meaning the South had become triumphant, slavery would have prospered and the Confederate states would have become their own country. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, as the U.S. approached its third year of the detrimental civil war. The Proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are and, henceforward shall be free.' -
Pearl Harbor
The Attack on Pearl Harbor was the event that brought the U.S. into World War II. WWII is remembered because of the mass genocide inflicted on the Jews by the Germans, who were led by Adolf Hitler. Hitler was after a perfect, Aryan Race of people living throughout the world. During the war, Americans became prejudice against Japanese-Americans because of the bombings and many were sent to internment camps because they were feared to be spies. -
MLK Jr.'s "I have a Dream" Speech
By giving this speech, Martin Luther King Jr. sent the people of America a message worth hearing. He let Americans know that all men are created equal, no matter the race. Without the works of people such as MLK Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, people of color wouldn't have the same rights that they have today. -
JFK's Assassination
John F. Kennedy's assassination was incredibly sudden and unexpected, which left America in shock. Similar to Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the country was split over what to think, be whether people favored him or weren't, the whole coutry came together to mourn his passing. The was an event that many people remember, and few forget. -
September 11th
9/11 is one of the most influential events that altered American History. Known by many, this terrorist attack killed nearly 3,000 innocent civilians and affected many more. Airport Security, security in general, our views on other coutries, and many other things were changed as well as a result of this horrid attack to the Twin Towers in New York.
