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Aug 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers the New World
Christopher Cpolumbus and his crew discover America. Their original intention had been to reach the east indies by sailing west and participate in the spice trade. The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria landed in the Bahamas. Columbus claimed it for Spain and called the place San Salvador. This discovery kickstarted the colonization of America by Spain and later other countries such as France and Great Britain. -
The Pilgrims Land at Plymouth
The Pilgrims land at Plymouth, Massachustes. They wrote the first written constitution in America famously signed aboard the Mayflower. These settlers were considered separatists and had fled England from religious persecution to Holand. Fearing the loss of their cultural identity, they moved to America and established their own colony of Plymouth. -
Declaration of Independence
Signed July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written as a formal document to Britain, stating the colonies' reasons for and officially "declaring" independence. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by other founding fathers such as Benjamin Franklin. July 4 continues to be celebrated by Americans as the anniversary of our country. -
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution was and is our nation's law. It was written in to replace the Articles of Confederation which had become too weak to properly govern our country. The Constitution introduced Seperation of Powers, a bicameral congress, a Supreme Court, a president, and the Bill of Rights. All of these structures still exist today. -
Robert Fulton's first successful trial of a steamboat
Robert Fulton made the steamboat into a commercial success. On August 7, 1807, the Clermont went from New York City to Albany. His 150-mile trip took 32 hours at 5mph, breaking records. Because of Fulton, steamboats began to become some of the most important means of transportation and commerce over water as well as communication. -
Samuel F. B. Morse's invention of the telegraph
Morse proved that signals could be transmitted by wire. He invented what we now as Morse code. Five years later congress funded $30,000 to create the first telegraph line from Washington to Baltimore. The line was 40 miles long. The first news delivered by telegraph was that Henry Clay had become the Whig party's nomination for president. -
London Hosts the First World's Fair
The first world's fair was called "the Great Exhibition" or the "Crystal Palace Exhibition." It was held in Hyde Park, London. Henry Cole and Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. It's purpose was to show the industry and culture at the time, even featuring inventions such as the telegraph.
