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Bastille Day: The Beginning of the French Revolution
Storming of the Bastille On this day, hundreds of Parisians hailing largely from the middle and low social classes stormed the Bastille fortress in Paris. The prison represented a symbol of the absolute monarch's oppression over France and held a group of prisoners sympathetic to the idea of a revolution. The fall of the Bastille signified the beginning of the popular revolution. -
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The Long Nineteenth Century
The long nineteenth century represents one of the most dynamic time periods in world history. Conflict was prevelant during this century, as nations all over the world were experienceing revolution, civil war, and even an all-consuming world war. This era also brought about nonviolent development through industrialization, economic development, and ingeninus invention. The long nineteenth century is arguably the most influential time period in world history. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase On this day, the young United States of America doubled in territory following the purchase of land West of the Mississipi from Napoleon and the French. This land acquisition marked a major state of growth for the United States and sparked the age of pioneerism and feelings of Manifest Destiny.* *Manifest Destiny was the popular American belief that God supported westward expansion. -
The Battle of Waterloo: The Fall of the Napoleonic Empire
The Battle of Waterloo On this day, Napoleon Bonaparte and his French empire fell to the Seventh Coalition, the Prussian army, and the Anglo-Allied at the battle of Waterloo. Napoleon, having claimed the title of emperor of France in 1804, had been fighting with the major European powers for the past ten years. His failed invasion of Russia left him battered and defeated but after returning from exile, Napoleon faught his final battle. -
The Great Irish Patato Famine
<a href='http://http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ireland-1845-to-1922/the-great-famine-of-1845/' >The Great Irish Potato Famine</a From 1845 to 1852, Ireland suffered from a great famine that destroyed most its cash crop and primary food source, potatoes. This famine led to the starvation of an entire population which led to the emigration of many Irish citizens from Ireland in search of better living conditions and opportunity. -
The American Civil War (1861-1865)
The American Civil War On this day, Fort Sumter in the Charleston Bay was attacked by Confederate artillary following a failed compromise between the Union federal government and a number of seceding states, led by South Carolina. Though no one was hurt or killed in the shelling, the bombardment symbolized the beginning of one of the bloodiest wars in U.S. history. -
Thomas Edison Invents the Electric Light
Thomas Edison Biography On this day, Thomas Alva Edison successfully demonstrated his invention, the incandescent light bulb, in Menlo park, New Jersey. Edison's invention led to a new phase in technological innovation centering around the use of electricity as a powerful source of energy. -
World War I
World War I On this day, Europe was plunged into war following the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand (Austro-Hungarian Emperor) by Serbian nationals. The assassination sparked hostility between the Central powers (Austro-Hungarian empire and Germany) and the Triple Entente (The United Kingdom, France, and Russia). The United States eventually joined the war on the side of the Triple Entente.
