-
The Invention of the Light Bulb
Thomas Edison discovered that a carbon filament in an oxygen-free bulb would glow without burning up. and the light bulb was born. -
The Appearance of the Federation of Organized Trade and Labor Unions of the United states and Canada
Formed by representatives of several craft unions, it representd mainly skilled workers. -
The technology of the Motion Picture
Thomas Edison : Inventor of the Kinetograph and Kinetoscope, which enabled motion picture production. -
The Formation of the People's Party
Originally formed out of The Farmer's Alliances, and eventually became a political movement. -
The Panic of 1893
This depression lasted until 1901 and resulted in widespread social unrest, which triggered a series of strikes. -
The First Gasoline-Driven Motor Vehicle in America
Built by Charles and Frank Duryea and cars quickly proliferated across much of America -
The Spanish-American War
The war was over by August 12, 1898, and was a victory for America. It did, however, bring to light many inadequacies in America's military system. -
The Pure Food and drug Act
This act was brought to fruition by Theodore Roosevelt to ensure the safety of food and the effectiveness of Pharmaceuticals in America. It came about after Roosevelt read, The Jungle, written by Upton Sinclair. -
Construction of Sewage Disposal Systems
Sewage disposal systems were made to protect the safety of the drinking water and the health of the American people. By 1910, most cities in America had them. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
The fire was responsible for the deaths of 146 workers, most of whom were women. As a result, there were new labor laws imposing strict regulations on factory owners. -
The Federal Reserve Act
It was after this act that America began using paper currency as its basic medium of trade. -
The opening of the Panama Canal
This canal created a channel through Central America which linked the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It re4duced time and mileage when traveling between these two oceans. -
America Enters World War I
After reading the intercepted "Zimmerman Telegram", america officially entered the war on the side of the Allies. Our entry into the war was vital to the Allied forces victory over the Central Powers. -
Prohibition
Prohibition in America was an innefectual attempt to curb crimes, poverty, and family problems. It ended up leading to more crime and violence, but still lasted until 1933, when the Great Depression happened in America. -
Women's Suffrage
The fight for Women's Suffrage began before the Civil War, and women did not get the vote until the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression was the worst economic crisis in the history of America. It began in 1929 and did not end until World War II. It led to many governmental reforms, and a change in the way that the American people viewed their government and their spending habits. -
American Welfare State Established
This system provided assistance to the Americans who were in the most financial need, it began as a result of the Great Depression. -
The Emergency Banking Act
When this bill was passed to protect the larger banks of America during the Great Depression, it helped to alleviate some of the panic the american citizens were feeling. As a result they began putting their money back into the banks. -
The Glass-Steagall Act
This act established the FDIC, which insured all bank deposits up to $2500 at the time of its inception. It still exists today and insures much larger amounts of money. -
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is Formed
The SEC was formed to police the stock market, and restore confidence in it. -
Social Security Act
This program was offered to provide assistance to the elderly, disabled, and to dependent children. it also created a system of unemployment insurance. -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
America was attacked by the Japanese, and subsequently declared war on them. This was the final step to our direct participation in World War II -
America and the Holocaust
American officials had knowledge of the concentration camps as early as 1942, but did nothing to stop what was happening. They would not even let large numbers of Jewish refugees from Europe into America for their safety. -
Sonar and Radar Technology in World War II
The advanced technology that the Allied Powers had access to during WWII, played a vital role in their victory. -
The Battle of stalingrad
This battle is considered to be a major turning point in WWII. Hitler's forces suffered huge losses, which allowed the allies to begin moving into Sicily and across Europe. -
The Normandy Invasion
This battle marked the beginning of the fall of Germany. The germans were pushed out of France, and ultimately back into Germany, where they finally surrendered. -
Formation of the United Nations
The UN was drafted in an attempt to ensure that there would never be a WWIII. it is a coalition of countries assembled to try to maintain peace and order throughout the world. -
America Drops Atomic Bomb on Japan
Truman ordered the atomic attack on Japan to bring about a faster end to the war. The actual blast from the bombs killed 180,000 people, and more suffered from radioactive fallout in the future. This act changed the world forever. -
The Cold War Begins
The "Cold War" between the Soviet Union and the U.S. began after WWII and laster until 1991. During these 40+ years, the constant threat of nuclear warfare between the two nations hung over the world. -
The Marshall Plan
This was a plan to provide economic assistance to all European nations after WWII. The goal of the U.S. was to attempt to keep communism at bay and strengthen American trade in Europe. -
Establishment of NATO
NATO is a coalition that was formed to prevent Soviet invasion of European countries. The members of NATO stated that an attack against one of them would be perceived as an attack on all of them. -
The Korean War
A war fought between the two sides of Korea.....one Democratic and one Communist. America got involved to aid the Democratic South Korea. The war lasted from 1950-1953, and ended in a stalemate. -
Brown V The Board of Education in Topeka
Supreme Cpurt decision that effectively ended segregation in the public school system of America. -
Formation of NASA
NASA was formed as a result of the Cold War. When Russia got to space first, the U.S. formed NASA in an effort to win the space race. -
"Bay of Pigs"
The Bay of Pigs was a failed attempt by President Kennedy overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba. -
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
When JFK was assassinated, the country was deeply affected. Americans everywhere mourned as if they had a lost a family member or close personal friend. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
When Civil Rights leader Malcolm X was assassinated it was a huge loss yto the movement and the African American community. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
The death of Martin Luther King Jr. incited massive race riots across the country. -
Woodstock Music Festival
Woodstock was a free concert event that stands as an enduring
icon of the 1960s "hippie" culture. It is the most popular musical event in history. -
Earth Day is Established
The establishment of Earth Day raised the consciousness of Americans to the importance of the environment in our daily lives, and brought about many changes to protect it from pollution. -
Ground Troops in Vietnam
Opposition to the Vietnam War sparked widespread antiwar demonstrations across America. This war had very little, if any, support from American citizens. The war lasted from about 1959-1973. -
Watergate Scandal
This scandal involved president Nixon, who resigned from office before he could be impeached by Congress. -
Roe V Wade
With this case the Supreme Court legalized abortion in America during the first trimester of pregnancy. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
53 American hostages were held captive in the American Embassy in Tehran for over a year. The perpetrators demanded that the deposed Shah be returned to Iran before they would release the hostages. -
The end of the Cold War
As a result of growing economic problems, the Soviet Union began to reduce their power in Eastern Europe. Communist governments all over the region began to fall. The Berlin Wall was torn down and the Cold War finally ended.
