-
Pony Express
The Pony Express was a way of commuting news and mail across the country. It weary from St. Louis, Missouri to Sacramento, California. It took 10 days on average and the first westbound trip took 9 days and 23 hours while the eastbound trip took 11 days and 12 hours. Though the path was treacherous, there is only one mail delivery that was lost and recorded.The Pony Express only lasted for 19 months after its official opening. It stopped by October 24, 1861. -
Fort Sumter
South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the union causing tension in America. Major Robert Anderson and his Union soldiers refused to leave the far upsetting the Confederacy. On April 12, at 4:30 am, Fort Sumter was bombarded with a long range attack led by P.G.T Beauregard. There were no casualties in this battle excluding two men who died to their own canon misfiring. The Union troops surrendered after the 30 hour attack and left. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was considered to be the bloodiest day in the entire Civil War with over 20,000 casualties. Though it was technically a draw, it was considered a Northern victory because the South retreated. This battle allowed for Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to be issued to keep Britain and France from aligning with the Confederacy. -
The Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech at Gettysburg to commemorate all the soldiers who lost their life in the bloodiest battle in the Civil War. The keynote speaker, Edward Everette, gave a two hour speech on the matter. Lincoln, on the other hand, game a speech of 2 minutes. Though it was brief, It touched many hearts and is considered to be the best and most memorable speech he ever delivered. -
13th Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment was able to abolish Slavery. It won congressional approval and was sent to the states for ratification. Around the end of February 28 states ratified it. Though there was a lot of pushback, the south eventually ratified the amendment by December. -
Riots
Racial violence began against African Americans in Memphis, Tennessee. Whites were killing blacks and destroying their property. 48 people nearly all black were dead by the time it was over. Hundreds of black homes, churches, and schools were burned and destroyed. -
14th Amendment
The fourteenth amendment demonstrates the Republican vision of a post Civil War society should exist. It explains that citizenship is guaranteed to people who are born or naturalized in the U.S.. It also allowed the government to have more power to protect all Americans’ rights. Congress sends the fourteenth amendment to the states for ratification and it is ratified two years later. -
Longest track laid in 12 hours
The Central Pacific was was the team who started building the transcontinental railroad from California. They were able to lay 10 miles worth of train track in 12 hours. This put them in first place for finishing the railroad faster. -
Transcontinental Railroad completion
This is when the last spike was placed in the track symbolizing the completion of the railroad. The last spike was made out of gold but was later replaced with steel. The ceremony took place at Promontory Point, Utah -
15 Amendment
The 15 Amendment allowed for all men to vote include it African Americans. It was ratified in 1870 and was enforced by Congress. All women activist groups were upset because they had been fighting for the right to vote as well and found it unfair. The Amendment clear ply states that all men can vote regardless of their race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act was passed to allow for equal treatment of everyone. The act prohibits discrimination in jury selection to help with fair trials and equal use of public conveyances. Though the act was passed it lacked a strong enforcement policy. When Reconstruction was abandoned, this act became irrelevant and another one wasn’t passed for another 90 years. -
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 involved the presidency between Rutherford B. Hayes and Sammy Tilden. The compromise allowed for the Republicans (Hayes ticket) to take the spot as president and long as he ends Reconstruction in the South. This was a special commission by the Congress and it allowed for Southerners to vote once again. Though it seems like a good deal the African-Americans lost all protection they had and ultimately lost a lot of power. -
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge was built by John Roebling but he died before it was finished. It was finished by his wife and son who was the chief engineer. At one point it was the longest suspension bridge ever. The bridge was a symbol of America’s ingenuity. John’s wife Emily was the first person to cross the bridge. -
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was designed by French artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The full name of the statue is “The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World”. The state was given to us from France to celebrate America’s 100 year anniversary of the American Revolution and our friendship. -
Remember the Maine
Remember the Maine is the slogan used by Americans after it exploded in the Havana Harbor. This was even happened in Cuba and is considered to be the “spark” that started the Spanish-American war. Around 260 sailors were killed and there were less than 400 on board at the time. Though most Americans thought it was Spain’s fault, the US Navy later analyzed the remains and determined that it imploded from an internal issue. -
Declaration of War
War was declared on Spain due to the recent yellow-journalism and the USS Maine explosion. Congress were the ones to make this call and Theodore Roosevelt led a volunteer regiment. It was known as the Rough- Riders and their most famous battle was San Juan Hill. -
End of Spanish-American War
The was closed by the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The treaty included Spain’s lose of territory. American gained Guam, Philippines, and Puerto Rico. America payed Spain to help the recuperate from their losses in this battle. Though the Philippines became a US territory, initially they did not gain their independence from Spain and turned against America. -
Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building was deemed the tallest building for only a year. After that, the Empire State Building took its place for the next 41 years. The reason skyscrapers were being built is due to the lack of ground space.