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National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) is founded
National American Woman Suffrage Association played a pivotal role in the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which in 1920 guaranteed women's right to vote. -
Sherman Antitrust Act is signed into law
The Sherman Act outlaws "every contract, combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade," and any "monopolization, attempted monopolization, or conspiracy or combination to monopolize." -
Ellis Island becomes chief immigration station of the U.S
When Ellis Island opened, a great change took place in U.S. immigration. Fewer arrivals were coming from northern and western Europe,Germany, Ireland, Britain and the Scandinavian countries as more and more immigrants poured in from southern and eastern Europe. -
Grover Cleveland is inaugurated a second time, as the 24th president.
In response to anti-competitive practices by railroads, Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, which established the first independent federal agency. -
William McKinley is inaugurated as the 25th president.
President McKinley attempted to prevent war and endeavored to persuade the Spanish government to adopt a conciliatory policy with the Cuban insurrectionists. -
Spanish-American War: USS Maine is blown up in Havana harbor.
On February 15, 1898, an explosion of unknown origin sank the battleship U.S.S. Maine in the Havana, Cuba harbor, killing 266 of the 354 crew members. The sinking of the Maine incited United States' passions against Spain, eventually leading to a naval blockade of Cuba and a declaration of war.