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Pullman Strike (1894)
The Pullman Strike was a nationwide railroad strike in the United States. Workers at the Pullman Company in Chicago protested wage cuts and high rents for company-owned housing. The strike spread to other railroad workers, leading to disruption of rail transport. The federal government intervened with troops, resulting in a significant loss of life and marking a major moment in the labor movement. (Gompers, 1935) -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain, fueled by U.S. support for Cuban independence. The war resulted in the defeat of Spain and the U.S. gaining control of former Spanish territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This war marked the U.S.'s emergence as a world power. (Kennedy, 2006) -
World War I Begins
World War I (also known as the Great War) began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The war involved many of the world’s great powers, including the Allied Powers (France, UK, Russia, etc.) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire). The war caused immense destruction and led to political and social upheaval across Europe. (Keegan, 1998) -
Women's Suffrage (United States)
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of decades of activism by suffragists who fought for women’s equality and participation in political life. The movement marked a major milestone in the struggle for gender equality in the U.S. (Flexner Fitzpatrick, 1996) -
Penicillin is Discovered and Implemented in Medicine
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, revolutionizing medicine and marking the beginning of the antibiotic era. This discovery led to the development of antibiotics that saved countless lives by treating bacterial infections. It also contributed significantly to advancements in public health and medicine. (Lister, 2004) -
Stock Market Crash of 1929
The U.S. stock market crash of October 1929 led to the Great Depression, one of the worst economic downturns in history. Billions of dollars were lost, banks failed, and unemployment soared. The economic crisis spread globally, leading to widespread poverty and political instability in many countries. (Galbraith, 1955) -
World War II Begins
World War II was the deadliest conflict in history, involving most of the world’s nations. It began with Germany’s invasion of Poland and saw the Allied Powers (including the U.S., the UK, and the Soviet Union) battle the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, and Italy). The war caused immense loss of life and led to the formation of the United Nations and the beginning of the Cold War. (Overy, 1995) -
The First Atomic Bomb
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, followed by a second bomb on Nagasaki three days later. This led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. The bombings also marked the beginning of the nuclear age, bringing new ethical dilemmas and global concerns about nuclear weapons. (Rhodes, 1986) -
The Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission. This historic event marked a major achievement in space exploration and signified U.S. dominance in the space race with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. (Collins, 1974) -
End of the Cold War
The Cold War, a period of political tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, officially ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The end of the Cold War led to the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the eventual expansion of NATO and the European Union. (Gaddis, 2005) -
9-11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, the terrorist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and one into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and led to global anti-terrorism efforts, including the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. (Wright, 2006) -
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, spread globally in early 2020, leading to widespread illness, death, and social disruption. Governments implemented lockdowns, travel restrictions, and health measures to control the spread. The pandemic has had profound impacts on the global economy, healthcare systems, and daily life. (Fauci Lane, 2020)