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U.S. GOVT. UNDER THE CONSTITUTION BEGINS
Washington is inaugurated. Suggestions for addressing the president include "Excellency" and "Highness." -
FIRST CENSUS
U.S. population totals 3.9 million, including app. 760,000 African Americans, of whom 700,000 are enslaved. Congress meets in Philadelphia and plans a new capital on the Potomac. -
BILL OF RIGHTS IS RATIFIED
First Bank of the United States is chartered for a twenty-year period. Vermont enters the Union as the 14th State. -
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Kentucky enters the Union as the Union as the 15th state; first state to grant universal manhood suffrage. Washington and Adams are re-elected president and vice-president. -
WHISKEY REBELLION
In which farmers in western Pennsylvania protest the excise tax on whiskey, is put down by federal troops. -
QUASI WAR
Begins when France attempts to bride U.S. commissioners in Paris, sparking the bulding tension between the nations. -
George Washington dies
In Virginia at the age 67 (born 1736). -
BARBARY WAR BEGINS
Tripoli declares war on U.S. Jefferson sends U.S. ships to the Mediterranean Sea. -
LOUISIANA TERRITORY
Is purchased from France for $15 million, nearly doubling the size of the U.S. -
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION
Begins in St. Louis. Ohio enters the Union as the 17th state, granting universal manhood suffrage. -
BARBARY WAR ENDS
After U.S. troops capture Darna. Piracy by Barbary States continues until 1815. -
BAN ON SLAVE TRADE
(importation of slaves) is passed by Congress, as required by the Constitution. Embargo Act is passed by Congress in response to British and France interference with U.S. trade. -
Embargo Act is repealed
Congress allows trade with all countries except France and Britain. Abraham Lincoln is born (16th president, 1861-1865) -
THIRD CENSUS
U.S. population totals 7.2 million, including 1.4 million African Americans, of whom 1.2 million are enslaved; population west of Appalachian Mountains is 1 million. -
WAR OF 1812
Begins as U.S. declares war on Great Britain over issues of borders,trade,freedom of the seas, and the rights of neutrals. In general, the war is supported by westerners and opposed by New Englanders. Indians under Tecumseh fight on the side of the British. Louisiana enters the Union as the 18th state. -
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Madison is re-elected president and Elbridge Gerry elected vice president (Democratic-Republican) -
WAR OF 1812 ENDS
With signing of Treaty of Ghent. -
GREEK WAR ENDS
With defeat by U.S. troops in Battle of Horseshoe Bend (Alabama) -
"OLD SOUTHWEST"
(Alabama & Mississippi territories ) is opened to migration of American settlers after the defeat of the Indians in the Creek War. -
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
James Monroe and Daniel Tompkins are elected president and vice president (Democratic-Republican).
