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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
First document to put into writing the idea that the king and his government are not above the law whatsoever. This aimed to prevent the abuse of power. -
Stamp Act
An act passed during British rule that required colonists to pay a tax on paper, playing cards, newspapers, and other items. This act was not received well and was considered unfair. -
Boston Massacre
An event where seven British soldiers would fire into a crowd of people, killing five while wounding six others. This angered an entire colony and worsened relations between the colonies and British rule even further. -
Boston Tea Party
A protest by the Sons of Liberty which opposed many of the taxes within the Townshend Act which violated many rights. Many crates of tea were thrown into the ocean and the term "No taxation without representation" became popular during this time. -
Intolerable Acts
Also known as the Insufferable Acts, these were laws passed by the British Parliament as a response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts restricted trade, limited colonial power, allowed British soldiers to be quartered in the homes of colonists, among other things. -
Declaration of Independence
The document that declared the original 13 colonies' independence from British rule. It also states many of the core ideas of which our government and American identity are based upon. -
Articles of Confederation
Essentially the first draft of what became our constitution, attempted to define the functions of the government, though this document lead to a very weak government, which was shown greatly through Shay's Rebellion. -
Shay's Rebellion
An uprising in Massachusetts lead by farmers; named after Danial Shays. This was largely in response to the mainly failures of the Articles of Confederation, and after this the newly created U.S. had to create a new "constitution" -
The United States Constitution
This was the United State's way of improving on the failed Articles of Confederation. This document defines our government, and has come to be known as one of the world's most influential and longest-lasting constitutions. -
Amendment III
No soldier should be quartered in any house during a time of peace without the consent of the homeowner. -
Amendment II
The right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon. -
Amendment IV
This amendment prevents unreasonable or unlawful searches and seizures without probable cause. -
Amendment I
Congress cannot make laws to attack a religion, to inhibit freedom of speech, or the right to assembly -
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital and or otherwise infamous crime. This is unless they are on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury. -
Amendment XI
Limits the ability for people to sue states if they are not citizens of that given state -
Marbury v. Madison
This court case would establish the doctrine of judicial review. -
Amendment XII
Outlines the procedures of how Presidents and Vice Presidents are elected and how states are represented. -
Mexican-American War
A war between the United States and Mexico, many factors played into this war happening, though one of the larger factors was the annexation of Texas, which resulted in arguments over the border between Texas and Mexico. -
American Civil War
This was a war fought within America between Union and Confederate states. The main point of contention during this war were the many issues related to slavery with Confederate states approving of it, while the Union did not approve as much. -
Amendment XIII
This was the Amendment which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. The only exception to this was if it were punishment for a crime, this was a HUGE step in the right direction for the civil rights movement. -
Amendment XIV
This amendment granted citizenship to anyone who was born within the U.S. -
Amendment XV
Denied federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on race. The main aim of this amendment was to ensure African American men had the right to vote. -
Amendment XVI
This amendment established the federal government's ability to impose income taxes. -
Amendment XVII
This Amendment fundamentally changed how U.S. Senators were elected. This change made the voting process more in line with Democracy, making the people of each state the ones who elected Senators. -
World War I
(Originally known as the Great War) Began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, war between the Allied Powers (led by: France, Great Britain, and Russia), and the Central Powers (led by: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire). Nations would join both sides respectively throughout WWI. -
Amendment XVIII
This is the amendment that prohibited alcohol in the United States. The manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol was made illegal. -
Amendment XIX
This was a landmark in the women's suffrage movement as this amendment granted women the right to vote. -
The Great Depression
This was a severe global economic depression that lasted from 1929 - 1939; this was initially largely caused by the infamous stock market crash that took place in the United States. -
Amendment XX
This Amendment helped define and readjust the terms of elected federal officials, alongside the timing of congressional sessions. -
Amendment XXI
This amendment repeals the 18th amendment, making it the only amendment to do so. This officially ended the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. -
World War II
Initially began due to the Nazi's invasion of Poland, this war is known as one of the largest and deadliest wars in history, involving over 30 countries. Consisted of the Allied powers and the Axis powers, this war funnily enough soften the effects of the Great Depression due to the amount of people who were being put to work during this time. -
Amendment XXII
This amendment limited the amount of terms someone can serve as the President of the United States, limiting people to two four-year terms. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark case ruled that separating children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional. -
Space Race
This was a historical area where the U.S. and Russia competed in the field of space exploration, ultimately ending with America landing the first man on the moon with Neil Armstrong on July 20th, 1969 -
Cooper v. Aaron
Supreme Court case where it was ruled states cannot simply choose whether or not to follow federal law. This meant that everyone must follow the orders of the Supreme Court. -
Mapp v. Ohio
This case stated that any evidence that is illegally obtained is not allowed to be used against someone in court based off of the Fourth Amendment. -
Amendment XXIII
This amendment extended the ability to participate in presidential elections to residents of Washington, D.C. -
Engel v. Vitale
This landmark Supreme Court case decided that School initiated-prayer in the public school system actually violates the First Amendment. -
Miranda v. Arizona
This Supreme Court case helped establish the term "Miranda Rights" and stated that police must read suspects their rights before interrogating them. -
Amendment XXIV
This Amendment prohibits federal and state governments from requiring a poll tax as a condition for voting. These requirements were originally used to prevent African American voters, alongside poor voters. This primarily took place in Southern states. -
Amendment XXV
This Amendment set up guidelines for presidential succession; what to do if the president, or even an acting president is unable to do their job. -
Tinker v. Des Moines
This Supreme Court case decided that students keep their rights, even in school. This was decided after a case where students were removed from school for wearing a black armband that protested the Vietnam War. It was deemed this removal was a violation of the student's first amendment right. -
Apollo 11
This was the height of the "Space Race" between the United States and Russia, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first person to ever walk on the moon, stating the now famous quote, "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." -
Amendment XXVI
This Amendment lowers the voting age requirement from 21 to 18. -
Roe v. Wade
This supreme court case stated that women's right to terminate a pregnancy was protected by the 14th Amendment, but would be overturned in 2022. -
U.S. v. Nixon
This Supreme Court case dictated that even The President is not above the law. This case took place after the Watergate scandal. -
Texas v. Johnson
This Supreme court case stated that even offensive speech is protected by the First Amendment, even something like flag burning. -
Amendment XXVII
This Amendment prevents any laws which change the salaries of Congress members from taking effect until after the next election of representatives. -
September 11th Terrorist Attacks
This is one of the most well-known and deadliest terrorist attacks in American history. This was when al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes, two crashed into New York City's Twin Towers, a third plane crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth plane was seized by the passengers and crashed into a field. Over 3,000 were killed and the attacks caused changes throughout our country that we still see to this day. -
Roper v. Simmons
This Supreme Court case decided it was "cruel and unusual punishment" to execute people for crimes they committed before they turned 18 after someone was sentenced to death for murder that he committed at 17.