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U.S. acquires Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal shortened the distance that ships had to travel to pass between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. When the United States acquired the Panama Canal, it gave them more power and control over the oceans. -
World War I
World War I gave women the right to vote. When it ended, it allowed for people to produce goods cheaper and quicker which was good for the economy. -
The Marshall Plan was passed
This bill provided aid to Europe after the war. It helped the United States by providing markets for American goods and helped create reliable trading partners. -
Stock market crashes
When the stock market crashed, businesses closed and people lost their savings. This was part of the cause of the Great Depression. -
U.S. drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan
This was the first time the atomic bomb was used against humans. It was dropped so that Japan would surrender to the U.S. and so to reduce the number of American lives lost. -
United Nations is established
The United Nations was created to maintain international peace and security. -
"I Have a Dream" speech
His speech influenced the government to take more action to fully realize racial equality. -
Man lands on the moon
Apollo 11 was the first spaceflight that landed a man on the moon. This allowed the U.S. the first perspective of the Earth from Space. -
Worldwide influenza epidemic strikes
At lease 50 million people were killed. This epidemic caused life expectancy in the U.S. to drop by about 12 years for men and women. -
Space shuttle Challenger explodes
The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff. This killed all seven crew members and is known as the worst accident in the history of the U.S. space program.