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16th Amendment
The 16th Amendment is changed, allowing the Federal government treasury to impose an income tax. During the Civil War there was a type of income tax where any citizen making more than $800 would be charged a tax of 3% (this tax ended in 1866). Americans did want an income tax in order to pay for roads, the army, and other national needs. An income tax is a tax on any and all income. -
First Assembly Line
Inspired by methods used by flour mills, breweries, and meat-packing plants, Ford created the first manufacturing assembly line. His factory was able to produce 10 million cars by 1924. As more companies reached a wall in their ability to meet the demands of consumers, they adopted Ford's assembly line in order to increase production. Today, factories all over the world use this efficient form of manufacturing. -
Ford Motor Company
Workers received $5.00 for eight hours of work, versus $2.40 for nine hours of work they had received previously. -
First Telephone Conversation
From San Francisco and New York, Thomas A. Watson and Alexander Graham Bell had the first telephone conversation. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The British ship, the Lusitania, sinks due to a hit by a German U-boat submarine. 128 American passengers were killed which was a rallying point for American people to convince the government to get involved with the war. -
US Enters WWI
The United States declares war on Germany. -
Airmail Service
The United States Post Office Department begins airman service between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. -
U.S. Troops
Over 1 million U.S. troops were deployed to Europe to serve in World War I. -
Spanish Flu
The Spanish flu spread across the world killing over twenty million people and five hundred and forty-eight thousand American citizens. -
End of WWI
World War I comes to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. -
1920 Census
The 1920 census reported a population of 109,02,537 making it a 15% increase from the year before and a historical moment in the history of the U.S. -
19th Amendment
Women are given a right to vote with the passing of the 19th Amendment, also known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.