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1492
Christopher Columbus
arrives in the Americas, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization. -
founding of Jamestown
the first permanent English settlement in North America. -
Plymouth Colony
Pilgrims settle Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, furthering English colonization. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War, giving Britain control over much of North America. -
Before 1600
Indigenous peoples, including tribes like the Iroquois, Navajo, and Cherokee, inhabit North America for thousands of years, establishing complex societies. -
Period: to
Revolution and Early Republic
American Revolutionary War—The 13 colonies fight for independence from Britain. Articles of Confederation ratified; it serves as the first constitution of the U.S. George Washington becomes the first President of the United States. The Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the U.S., expanding westward beyond the Mississippi River. -
Westward Expansion
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Lewis and Clark
expedition explores the newly acquired western territories, mapping routes to the Pacific Ocean. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise regulates the extension of slavery in new territories, shaping political tensions. -
telegraph
Samuel Morse invents the telegraph, revolutionizing long-distance communication. -
"Manifest Destiny"
The concept of "Manifest Destiny" becomes popular, justifying expansion across North America. -
Gold Rush
Gold is discovered in California, leading to the Gold Rush, bringing a wave of settlers to the West Coast. -
Population
U.S. population reaches 31 million, with rapid urbanization and industrial growth in the North. -
Civil War and Reconstruction
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American Civil War
The North (Union) fights the South (Confederacy) over issues of slavery and states’ rights. -
Civil War ends
slavery is abolished (13th Amendment), and Lincoln is assassinated. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad is completed, linking the east and west coasts, enabling faster travel and trade. -
The Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone, further advancing communication. -
The Gilded Age
marked by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and economic inequality, sees significant growth in U.S. infrastructure and cities. -
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor, symbolizing immigration and opportunity. -
American frontier closed
The U.S. Census Bureau declares the American frontier closed, signaling the end of westward expansion. -
First powered flight
The Wright brothers make the first powered flight, revolutionizing transportation. -
The Panama Canal opens
The Panama Canal opens, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, boosting global trade. -
WWI
The U.S. joins World War I, marking its emergence as a global power. -
The "Roaring Twenties"
sees economic growth, technological advancements like the automobile (Ford Model T), and the rise of mass media. -
Stock market crash
The stock market crashes, leading to the Great Depression, the most severe economic downturn in U.S. history. -
World War II
The U.S. participates in World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, emerging as a global superpower. -
The United Nations is established
The United Nations is established, with the U.S. playing a central role. -
The Cold War
The Cold War begins, marking decades of political and military tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. -
The Federal-Aid
The Federal-Aid Highway Act creates the Interstate Highway System, revolutionizing transportation and enabling further expansion. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act is passed, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, or gender. -
Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal leads to President Richard Nixon’s resignation, a turning point in American politics. -
fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall marks the beginning of the end of the Cold War. -
rise of the internet
The rise of the internet transforms communication, business, and daily life in the U.S. -
Soviet Union collapses
The Soviet Union collapses, leaving the U.S. as the world's dominant superpower. -
9/11
The September 11 terrorist attacks lead to the War on Terror and U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. -
The Great Recession
The Great Recession impacts global economies; Barack Obama becomes the first African American president. -
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupts economies and societies worldwide, with the U.S. taking a leading role in vaccine development and global recovery. -
Global leader
The U.S. grapples with political polarization, racial justice movements, and climate change, while continuing its role as a global leader in technology and innovation.