-
Dead Rabbits Riot
This was a huge gang war in NYC between the Dead Rabbits gang and the Bowery Boys, wherein 8 people died and it lasted 2 days. The New York state militia had to intervene and stop the citywide war and mass looting. -
KKK established
The Klan is a far right extremist christian group that was formed in Pulaski, Tennessee. Being the very first active hate group in America, sects of it still exist to this day, though not as rampant as they were in the 1870s, or even the 1970s for that matter. On a personal note, I always thought it was rather silly how such a vile hate group insists on wearing these ridiculous cloaks and hoods, besides the need to be incognito when burning crosses and whatnot. -
Standard oil is established
On this day, John D. Rockefeller created Standard Oil, eventually buying up land all over the states to procure oil and becoming one of the richest men in the US. -
US patent 174465A, the Telephone by Bell
When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, it would change humanity forever. This is arguably one of the most defining inventions ever created, and life would never be the same today without it. -
The Great Oklahoma Land Race
On this day, towns sprung up across Oklahoma seemingly overnight and nearly 11,000 agricultural homesteads were claimed on this day. -
Ellis island opens to process immigrants
Ellis island was an island just off the New York harbor, within view of the Statue of Liberty and used to process immigrants from 1892 - 1954. -
The Wizard of Oz is published
This was the first American fantasy book to receive nationwide love almost immediately on release, and is a timeless piece of literature. -
JP Morgan founds US Steel
JP Morgan, the man who could give America itself a loan, formed US Steel out of 3 other steel companies and created one of the great Trusts that would eventually be broken by our first modern president, Teddy Roosevelt. His ridiculous wealth and his empire that fuels it is broken into pieces today, but still prevailed through 120 years. -
Teddy Roosevelt becomes president
Teddy Roosevelt was originally the vice president to McKinley, but was sworn in when McKinley was assassinated by a Czech man with a strange name. Roosevelt was the first modern president, he was wealthy but had a huge love for the outdoors and he would be the president to establish the national park system, which we still use today. He was also known as the great trustbuster, because he forced the massive trusts that were running the country to segregate into smaller groups to break monopolies. -
Ida Tarbell writes an article about standard oil
Ida Tarbell was famously known for writing a book about the monopolistic scandal that Rockefeller and the Standard Oil Trust were running America with, and essentially killed the hydra with the US court system as her sword. The Rockefeller name would live on, but the trust was split into 34 companies that still exist to this day. -
Ford motor company is founded
This was the first American car manufacturer and creator of the assembly line. Henry Ford's ambition and success has assisted in sculpting the world we live in today and without him, It's hard to imagine what our workplace, roads, vehicles or economy would look like. Even the fact that he founded the company in Detroit has changed Detroit forever, and today Motown is still known around the US and possibly the world today. -
16th amendment passed
This was the amendment that allowed Congress to tax the people, and it was only 11 years before the same government decided women should be able to vote. I think that symbolizes America's priorities throughout our history rather well. -
Angel Island opens up for processing immigrants
Angel Island was the San Francisco equivalent of Ellis island, opening only 18 years after Ellis did and closing 14 years before Ellis would. -
17th amendment passed
This amendment gave the people the power to directly vote for their senators and representatives, and it defeated the issue of the Big Trusts having as much power as they did in our government. -
Empire State Building opens
On this day, the Empire State Building was built as an art deco piece in Manhattan, though the true purpose is that it houses many corporate offices and even a few restaurants.