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The Years of the American Revolutionary War
The Thirteen Colonies (later to be America) rebelled against British rule for freedom, starting a war that lasted over five years. These colonies eventually teamed up with France, who in turn got Spain and other countries to help. The war ended in November 1783, when the British retreated from New York City. -
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence
This was the day of America's independence - also called the 4th of July! Over 50 men signed this famous document. "The most famous signature on the engrossed copy is that of John Hancock, who, as President of Congress, presumably signed first. Hancock's large, flamboyant signature became iconic, and John Hancock emerged in the United States as an informal synonym for 'signature'," Wikipedia says. -
The Ratification of the United States Constitution
On this date, the Continental Congress put the United States Constitution into action. Months before, the Congress had been worried that not all thirteen states would ratify the Constitution, but they need not have worried, for it was ratified by Rhode Island, the last state to sign, in May 1790. After the Congress put it into action, it was the official "rule book" of the US. -
The Louisiana Purchase
On this date, President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon. He purchased it for a total of 15 million dollars, about 3 cents per acre. This event doubled the size of the US (McDougall-Littell, 346). -
The Lewis and Clark Journey
The Lewis and Clark journey began in the summer of 1803, not long after the Lousiana land was purchased. The men's first destination was the then-sleepy town of St. Louis. They spent the winter there, and then continued west, reaching the Pacific coast in 1805 and returned to St. Louis in 1806 (McDougall-Littell, 348 - 349) -
First Use of a Steamboat in the US
Steamboats first set out successfully in the 18th century due to a Frenchman, Marquis Claude de Jouffroy. The first time a steamboat ever successfully sailed on US water was in 1811. This event made transporting both goods and people to destinations faster than ever before (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamboat#United_States_steamboats). -
The Texas Revolution
In the early months of 1833, Stephen F. Austin sent a "list of requested reforms" to the Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, asking that Texas become a seperate state within Mexico. Santa Anna agreed, but then learned of a letter Austin had sent, saying that Texas would revolt if it didn't get what it wanted. As expected, Santa Anna was furious; in the next few years, Texas and Mexico battled it out, resulting in hundreds of lives lost (McDougall-Littell, 429). -
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The War with Mexico
Between 1846 and 1847, the US was at war with Mexico. Texas had recently become a state, and that had created tension with Mexico. On April 25th, Mexican troops crossed into US territory; in the end, the US won, but the war resulted in casualties on both sides (McDougall-Littell, 434 - 435). -
The California Gold Rush
In early 1848 in California, carpenter James Marshall made an important discovery: he thought he saw a "shiny stone" in the river nearby where he was building a sawmill. He thought it was gold, and indeed it was. By the next year, hundreds of people came rushing to California to find gold, starting the California Gold Rush. This boosted CA both economically and also increased its population when it became a state (McDougall-Littell, 439 - 441). -
The Fugitive Slave Act
The Compromise of 1850 was a compromise made to calm the slave/free controversy in the US. However, it contained one bill that outraged some, called the Fugitive Slave Act. This law stated that fugitive slaves could be held without an arrest warrant, with no right to a trial, and that the North had to help the South capture these runaway slaves; Northerners would be penalized if they didn't cooperate with the law. (McDougall-Littell, 485). -
Publishing Date of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a book written in 1850 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Stowe was an abolitionist who was outraged at the Fugitive Slave Act and decided to write a realistic fiction novel about what slaves endured. The book became a classic and was translated into more than 20 languages (McDougall-Littell, 485). -
Harpers Ferry
On this date, John Brown and 18 "followers" captured the weapons of Harpers Ferry in Virginia. Brown was trying to create an uprising of slaves, but not 1 slave would join. Brown was eventually hanged for treason and supposed revolt. -
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The Civil War
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Battle of Gettysburg: Day 1
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Battle of Gettysburg: Day 2
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Battle of Gettysburg: Day 3
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The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln and his wife attended "Our American Cousin" at Ford's theater, without Lincoln's main bodyguard. After one of Lincoln's other bodyguard left to go get drinks with the coachman, John Wilkes Booth crept up behind the two and shot Lincoln in the head. This is considered an important event in American history. -
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The Years of World War I
World War I (aka the Great War or the War to End All Wars) technically started when an attempt to assassinate the Archduke of Austria-Germany succeded. Austria-Gemany blamed Serbia for the assassination, and within weeks the alliances were dissolved and war had broken out. Soon many countries were a part of the conflict, which lasted over 2 years and killed more than 10 million. The war ended with the signing of many treaties, including the Treaty of Versailles. -
The Stock Market Crash of 1929
Also known as "Black Tuesday", the Stock Market Crash of 1929 was a very important event in American history. About 16 million shares were traded on this day, a record not broken in 40 years. The Crash started the Great Depression and over 10 million people were unemployed until 1941 - over 10 years! -
The First Appearance of Superman in Action Comics
Superman first appeared in Action Comics in 1939. He was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1932, when they were both still in high school. He quickly became popular, starring in movies, television shows, and more. -
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The Years of World War II
Adolf Hitler started World War II when he and his German forces stormed onto Polish ground in 1939. By 1943, at least half of the world was involved in the conflict. Finally, on August 15th of 1945, a cease-fire was declared, and the Japanese surrendered on Septmeber 2nd. -
Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor
On this date, the Japanese forces led an attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, HI. This attack was supposed to be preventive in keeping the US from stopping the actions the Japanese were taking in the United Kingdom and other countries, but all it did was push the US into WWII. Even so, the US suffered heavy losses. -
The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
At 8:15 am, the US dropped an atomic bomb, "Little Boy" on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It was near the end of WWII. About 80,000 people were killed by the bombing alone, but another 10,000 - 20,000 died from injury or radiation. -
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The Years of the Korean War
Korea had been under Japanese rule since the early 1900s, and when Japan surrendered in WWII, both the US and the Soviet Union agreed that Korea should be split into two parts: North and South. Both sides set up a government, but neither thought the other was legitimate. On June 25th, the Korean war officially started: N Korea stormed across S Korea's borders. Both sides had several hundred causalties; to this day, the fighting has not ceased, though the war technically ended in 1953. -
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The Years of the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a conflict fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, over pro-communist government and pro-capitalism government. The US stepped in in 1968, afraid that if Vietnam fell to communism, other countries would too (also called the "Domino effect"). The US withdrew in 1973 because of Congress's Case–Church Amendment, and the war officially ended in 1975. -
The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated on this date at the White House in Washington, D.C. There he spoke his famous words: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Wikipedia says, "The address reflected Kennedy's confidence that his administration would chart an historically significant course in both domestic policy and foreign affairs." -
The First Appearance of Spider-Man in Action Comics
The famous web-flinging hero first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. Also known as Peter Parker, he was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Because of his popularity in Amazing Fantasy, he later went on to star in his own comic, the Amazing Spider-Man. -
The March on Washington
On August 28th, 1963, over 200 million people (75 - 80% African American) stormed into Washington, D.C. by means of a peaceful protest. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. This event was a turning point for blacks and in American history. -
The First Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs
On this date the Green Bay Packers (NFL champion) defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL champion). This first Super Bowl (aka "Supergame") was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The end score was 35 - 10. -
The First Inaguration of Ronald Reagan
The 40th president of the US was inaugurated on this date. He penned is own inauguration sppech, in which he said: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." -
Space Shuttle Challenger Explodes
On this date, the space shuttle Challenger was sent up to space. This mission was very important; it was supposed to prove that NASA technology had become safe, with the popular "Teacher In Space" proposition. However, seventy-three seconds later, the shuttle exploded, killing all seven people on board. -
My Birthday
I was born prematurely, along with my brothers. I was born in Columbus, Indiana (where my dad is from). The world changed quietly. -
9/11
On this date, hijackers planned and executed coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. "One plane was targeted at Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers," says Wikipedia. Over 2,000 people died as a result, both the victims and the hijackers. This is an important event in American history. -
The First Inauguration of Barack Obama
On this date, the 44th president of the US was sworn into office. It was also the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and Obama was sworn in using the same Bible as Lincoln had that day. After completing the Oath of Office, he delivered his Inaugural Speech. -
My Elementary School Graduation
The 6th grade classes of New Holland Elementary School (aka Class of 2018) graduated from the school. Awards were given. I recieved the Social Studies award :)
