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United States Enters WWI
Woodrow Wilson requested a declaration of war on Germany during a joint session of Congress. Both the Senate and the House voted in support and the United States declared war on Germany. -
Spanish Flu
The Spanish Flu, or the Great Influenza, most likely originated in the United States on a military base. It spread around the world within 4 months and killed over 21 million people. -
WWI Ends
The Armistice of 1918 was signed in the Compiegne Forest by the allies (France and Great Britain) and German representatives. The Armistice of 1918 included 18 articles that negatively impacted Germany, mainly in the form of demilitarization. -
Eighteenth Amendment
The 18th amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the United States. It was ratified by the states on January 16, 1919. -
Nineteenth Amendment
The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote and was ratified on August 18, 1919. This was the result of years of work from the woman suffrage movement. -
Wall Street Crash of 1929
The DOW dropped by 13% on the New York stock exchange on Black Monday (10/28/1929). The following day, Black Tuesday, the market declined by around 12%. This decline continued through the summer of 1932 and didn't reach pre-crash levels until November 1954. -
Hattie Wyatt Caraway
Hattie Wyatt Caraway filled her husband's seat in the Senate after his death. She was the first woman elected to Senate in a special election to fill her husband's remaining term. -
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart Speech
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic non-stop. Her flight started in Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, and ended in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. -
Twentieth Amendment
Presidential Inauguration Date Change
The twentieth amendment to the Constitution changed the dates of succession for the President, Vice President, and Congres members. The terms of the President and Vice President were changed from March 4 to January 20 and the terms for Congress changed from March 4 to January 3. -
Social Security Act
The social security act was passed due to the suffering experienced during the Great Depression, which prompted congressional support for "insurance" for people of old age, workers hurt while at work, unemployed people, dependent mothers and children, and people with disabilities. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
The FLS Act was a direct result of the Great Depression and banned child labor, set the minimum hourly wage at 25 cents, and set the maximum hours at work to 44hrs. -
Franklin Roosevelt Third Inauguration
Third Inaugural Address
FDR was convinced to run for a third term because of WWII and he was the first and only president to serve more than two terms. He was reelected because of his strong leadership skills, which were proven to be true as he helped lead the allies to victory. This led him to be elected for a fourth term. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
News Footage
Japan staged a surprise attack on the U.S. military/Navy forces stationed in Hawaii. This attack led to 3,435 U.S. casualties and caused the United States to enter WWII. -
U.S. Declares War on Japan
Day of Infamy Speech
FDR addressed Congress with the famous "Day of Infamy" speech that urged Congress to vote to declare war on Japan. Congress immediately voted to declare war on Japan, which plunged the U.S. into WWII. -
Germany and Italy Declare War on U.S.
Podcast
Both Hitler and Mussolini give speeches and declare war on the United States. A new version of the Tripartite, which stated that the Axis powers would fight together was signed in Berlin. -
D-Day
Archive Video
D-Day was a joint operation that included air, land, and naval forces. It is known as the largest invasion force in history and was used to invade Normandy, France, which was occupied by German forces. This assault led to an ally victory. -
Germany Surrenders
The surrender of Germany was signed at the Supreme Headquarters in Northeastern France. Three other surrenders for Russia, Great Britain, and France were signed as well. This ended WWII. -
United Nations Charter
San Francisco 1945
This charter was the founding document of the UN and was signed in San Francisco. The United Nations Charter is an international treaty that allows the UN to act on various issues. -
U.S. Drops Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan
Footage
The Enola Gay, an American B-29 bomber, departed Tinian Island for Hiroshima Japan. The bomber carried the atomic bomb, Little Boy, and dropped it on Hiroshima, Japan. This caused between 80,000 and 140,000 deaths. -
U.S. Drops Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki, Japan
Footage
An American B-29 bomber, Bocks Car, departed Tinian island for Nagasaki, Japan. The bomber carried Fat Man, a plutonium implosion-type bomb. It was dropped on the Mitsubishi Torpedo Plant in Nagasaki, Japan. This killed 74,000 people.