-
Invention of Barbed Wire
In1867 barbed wire sweeps the nation as a new, cheap way to fence in cattle. This was important to modernization because it ended the age of the cowboy by replacing him with cheap metal. -
First Continental Railroad
On May 10, 1869 the first continuous railroad track that traveled from coast to coast was created. This was important to modernization because it allowed for the speedy travel and unification of the United States by rail. -
Patent of the Electric Light bulb
On October 14, 1878 Thomas Edison patented his “Improvement in Electric Lights,” which is a fancy way of saying incandescent lightbulb. This was important because the era of kerosene candles was over as soon as electricity became known as the way of the future. -
First Native American Boarding School
The Founding of the first United States Indian Industrial School, know as the Carlisle school, was founded in 1879. This was the first of the several Native American boarding schools in America. This was important in the development of modern America because it was when Americans tried to assimilate everyone to be exactly like them, and killed anyone who wasn’t. -
Statue of Liberty
On October 28, 1886 The statue of liberty was finished and dedicated in New York City. This was important to the modernization of America because it shows our ability to build incredible things as well as our allies. The Statue of Liberty is also known as a symbol of freedom, not only to our ancestors but to immigrants as well. -
The Founding of NAWSA
The Founding of NAWSA: On February 18, 1890 the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed to work for woman’s rights in the U.S. This was important to the development of modern America because one huge aspect of modern America is that woman have equal rights. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
In 1906 The Pure Food and Drug Act was established as the first of a series of noteworthy consumer protection laws, eventually leading to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration. This was important in the development of modern America because it was the first step in ensuing safe food and drugs for consumers. Today we rely on the FDA to give us safe food and drugs, and without them there would be no regulation. -
World War 1
On July 28, 1914 the very First World War began. Centered in Europe, the war claimed over 9 million combatants and 7 million civilians. WW1 was important in the development of Modern America because of industrialization. Because of the war, America became more industrialized building more roads, factories, planes, trains, and essentially inching us closer to the America we are today. -
Prohibition
On January 16, 1919 the Eighteenth Amendment was established stating the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. This amendment was later fully ratified on December 5, 1933. This was important in the development of Modern America because it was when the government tried to abolish something Americans enjoyed very much and America fought back and did what they had to do secretly. It also showed to well grass roots can work. -
Woman Given Right to Vote
On June 4, 1919 The Nineteenth Amendment prohibiting any American citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex was generated. This had a huge impact on modern America because it was the first time men and woman were given equal rights, especially connected to voting. Woman’s equal right to vote is a huge aspect of modern American today and it wouldn’t have be able to happened without the 19th amendment. -
Korean War
On June 25, 1950 the Korean War began. This was a war between North and South Korea, wherein a force led by the United States of America fought for the South, and China fought for the North. This was important in the development of contemporary America because it established the idea that communism was bad, and it was a war that America helped fight, but was not fully involved in. -
Colorized Television
On January 1, 1954 NBC made the very first coast-to-coast, color broadcast when it televised the Tournament of Roses Parade. This was important in the development of contemporary America because today the U.S has a huge emphasis on television network and the coverage of stories by these networks. This was the first broadcast that led to America looking the way it does today. -
Civil Rights Act
On July 2, 1964 the Civil Rights Act was enacted. The Civil Rights Act is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation and basically banned any discrimination based on ethnicity, color, race, religion or sex. This was important in the development of contemporary America because one huge goal of modern American today is not to discriminate against people. America is known as the land of the free and this act just helps us reiterate what free means to us. -
First Man on the Moon
On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo 11 on the moon. This was the first spaceflight that landed humans on the Moon. This was important in the development of contemporary America because space travel is one unique part of America today. This was the first time anyone from Earth explored a new planet and unlocked numerous possibilities for exploration and expansion. -
AIDs Recognized
In 1981 the first documented case of AIDS was recognized by the Reagan administration, but ignored being labeled as a “gay disease” setting back its research and condemning thousands to early deaths. This was important in the development of contemporary America because AIDS has claimed millions of lives and is still incurable today. If Reagan wouldn’t have ignored it, we could have been closer to the cure than we are today. -
Internet
In 1993 the Internet became a prominent and well-known item to be used. Known as the World Wide Web, it became accessible to anyone with a computer. This was important in the development of contemporary America because the U.S today is grounded on Internet use. Almost all of communication, information, commerce, entertainment, and social networking happens online and without modern society today would be lost. -
Columbine Massacre
On April 20, 1999 a school shooting occurred at Columbine High School, in Colorado. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 classmates, one teacher and injured 21 additional people. This was important in the development of contemporary America because this was the biggest school massacre to have happened at the time and started the revolution of school safety. It also sparked many other school shootings to happen. -
9/11
On September 11, 2001 the Islamic terrorist group, Al-Qaeda, committed a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks, the biggest occurring at the World Trade Center. This was important in the development of contemporary America because it was one of the first big terrorist attacks on America, and although it left our country wounded it also unified the U.S and brought them together. -
First Black President
On November 4, 2008 Senator Barack Obama, of Illinois, was elected the first black president of the United States. Obama became the 44th president. This was important in the development of contemporary America because it was the first time in history that a black president was elected. This was huge for the equality of African Americans, and pushed our presidential election to be more diverse. -
Global Climate Changes
In the summer of 2010, a new record high of temperatures around the nation was occurring along with flooding around the world. This sent global climate changes to a critical tipping point. This is important in the development of contemporary America because it was the first time we actually saw worldly effects of global warming. One aspect of contemporary America is all the talk about and prevention of global warming, an issue, some still think is fake.
