Growth of Our Nation

Growth of Our Nation

Period: Jan 1, 1773 to Dec 31, 1900

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Because of the Tea Act, Boston rebels, disguised as Indians, raided British tea ships and dumped barrels of tea in Boston Harbor.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The Declaration of Independence, the document that declared America's freedom from Britain, was signed on July 4th. It was signed by fifty-six delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

Louisiana Purchase

Apr 30, 1803

Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory for 15 million dollars from Napoleon Bonaparte of France.

Confederacy is formed and the Civil War begins

Apr 12, 1861

Due to Linoln's election, Southerners believed they had "lost their political voice" in the United States Government. South Carolina was the first to leave the Union in December of 1860. Eventually, by February of 1861, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas had joined South Carolina. The war began in April.

Slavery is Abolished

Jan 31, 1865

The 13th Amendment, the abolisment of slavery, was passed by Congress on January 31st, 1865, and ratified December 6th, 1865.

Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattax

Apr 9, 1865

The Civil War came to end in April of 1865 when Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate soldiers, surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, the general of the Union army, at Appomattax.

Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln

Apr 14, 1865

While viewing a play with his wife, Abraham Lincoln was shot in the back of the head by John Wilkes Booth.

African-American Males can vote

Feb 3, 1870

Thanks to the Fifteenth Amendment, Male African-Americans were given the right to vote.

Invention of the light bulb

Oct 21, 1879

The lightbulb was invented by Thomas Alva Edison in 1879.