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The Nation's capitol moves
The United States capitol moves from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. -
The electors' votes for president are officially opened and counted in Congress
Jefferson wins the election and Aaron Burr becomes vice president. -
Ohio outlaws slavery
Ohio outlaws slavery. They are not the first, but close to it. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson purchases the Louisiana purchase in 1803. It includes present day states Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas, South and North Dakota, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, and part of Texas. -
Lewis and Clark's expedition
In May of 1804, Lewis and Clark begin their expedition into the Louisiana Territory. -
Death of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton dies after being shot the previous day by the vice president Aaron Burr during a duel in New Jersey. -
Jefferson nominates people to joint commissioners
Jefferson nominates James Monroe and William Pinckney as joint commissioners to Great Britain. British warships have been boarding and searching American ships and seizing American as well as British sailors, claiming that they are British runaways. -
The Burr Conspiracy
Jefferson receives further information from a variety of sources in Pennsylvania and New York, including Generals William Eaton and James Wilkinson, that Aaron Burr is organizing a military expedition against Spanish possessions for the purpose of separating western territories from the United States. -
Aaron Burr is imprisoned
Aaron Burr is captured and imprisoned in Georgia for killing Alexander Hamilton and charged with treason. -
New president elected
James Madison is elected President. It was a challenge, but he beat his estranged friend, James Monroe, in the election. -
Macon's bill becomes a law
Macon's Bill Number 2 becomes law, intending to motivate Britain and France to stop seizing American vessels during the Napoleonic Wars. -
Madison prohibits trade once again
President Madison prohibits trade with Britain for 3rd time in 4 years -
Earthquakes in Missouri
7.8 earthquake shakes New Madrid, Missouri and then a couple weeks later an 8.2 earthquake hits the town. -
steamboats now transport mail
USnCongress authorizes use of steamboats to transport mail -
Battle at Horseshoe Bend
The Battle at Horseshoe Bend: General Andrew Jackson defeats the Red Sticks, part of the Creek Indian tribe near Dadeville, Alabama -
First natural gas well
The first natural gas well in US is discovered -
5th President, James Monroe, elected
James Monroe is elected as the 5th president of the United States, defeating Federalist Rufus King. -
The Mississippi Territory is divided
The Mississippi Territory is divided into Alabama Territory & Mississippi. -
Chicasaw Indians sign a treaty
The US Government & Chicasaw Indians sign a treaty. -
1st immigration law passes
The United States passes it's first immigration law. -
Maine admitted as 23rd state of the Union
Maine admitted as 23rd state of the Union -
1st colonies along Santa Fe Trail
the first colonies form along Santa Fe Trail. -
False teeth patented
Charles Graham patents false teeth. -
Arikara War
The Arikara War is fought between the Arikara nation and the United States, the first American military conflict with the Plains Indians. -
John Ross petitions Congress to protect the Cherokees
To defend the Cherokees' possession of their land, chief John Ross petitions Congress, fundamentally altering the traditional relationship between an Indian nation and whites -
John Quincy Adams is the new President
After no presidential candidate received a majority of electoral votes, the United States House of Representatives elects John Quincy Adams President of the United States. -
Treaty of Wahington
The Treaty of Washington between the United States government and the Creek National Council is arranged in which they take much of their land in the State of Georgia -
1st Railroad to transport both people and freight
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is incorporated, becoming the first railroad in America offering commercial transportation of both people and freight. -
Gold discovered in Georgia
Gold is discovered by Benjamin Parks in or near Cherokee First Nation land in Hall County - later reorganized into Lumpkin County - in, Georgia. -
First significant gold rush in US
The Georgia Gold Rush begins as the country's first significant gold rush -
Indian Removal act
US congress passes the Indian Removal Act. -
Slave Rebellion
An outbreak of Nat Turner's slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia occurred on August 21st. Approximately 55 whites are stabbed, shot and clubbed to death. -
Andrew Jackson re-elected
Andrew Jackson defeats Henry Clay in the U.S. presidential election. -
19 known presidents are alive at the same time
Future President of the United States Benjamin Harrison is born in Ohio. From this date until the death of former U.S. President James Madison on June 28, 1836, there are a total of 19 living Presidents of the United States (3 former, 1 current, and 15 known future); more than any other time period in U.S. history. -
Whig party is named
The Whig Party is officially named by United States Senator Henry Clay. -
Andrew Jackson's almost assassination
Richard Lawrence unsuccessfully tries to assassinate President Andrew Jackson in the United States Capitol; this is the first assassination attempt against a President of the United States -
End of the Battle of Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo ends; 189 Texans are slaughtered by about 1,600 Mexicans. -
Martin Buren is new President
Martin Van Buren beats Andrew Jackson for the position of President of the United States. -
The Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears: The Cherokee removal begins with the forced relocation of the Cherokee Native American tribe, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 4,000 Cherokee Indians. -
Fire of Mobile, Alabama
In the Great Fire of Mobile, Alabama hundreds of buildings are burned. -
Steamship Lexington sinks
The steamship Lexington burns and sinks in icy waters, 4 miles off the coast of Long Island; 139 die, only 4 survive. -
President William Henry Harrison dies
President William Henry Harrison dies of pneumonia, becoming the first President of the United States to die in office and at one month, the president with the shortest term served. He is succeeded by Vice President John Tyler, who becomes the tenth President of the United States. -
Willamette University founded
Willamette University is established in Salem, Oregon. -
"The Tell-Tale Heart" is first published.
Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" is first published. -
The "Peacemaker" explodes
The "Peacemaker", the largest naval gun in the world, explodes during a demonstration on the USS Princeton, killing seven, including Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer. -
James K. Polk becomes president
The United States Congress passes legislation overriding a presidential veto for the first time and James K. Polk beats John Tyler as President of the United States. -
The First battle - Mexican American War
Zachary Taylor defeats a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande at Palo Alto, Texas in the Battle of Palo Alto which is the first major battle of the war. -
End of Mexican-American War
The Treaty of Cahuenga causes the end of the Mexican-American War in California. -
First Medical School for Women opens
In Boston, Massachusetts, the first medical school for women, The Boston Female Medical School (which later merges with Boston University School of Medicine), opens. -
Zachary Taylor becomes 12th president of U.S.
Zachary Taylor becomes the 12th President of the United States. He was previously a war general. -
Taylor Dies, Fillmore now in office
Vice President Millard Fillmore becomes President with the death of President Taylor -
California now a US state
California is emitted into the Union. It is the 31st state -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is published
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is first published in book form, in Boston. -
Washington Territory separates from Oregon Territory
Washington Territory separates from the Oregon Territory. -
Grattan Massacre
A group of U.S. Army soldiers in Nebraska Territory are killed by Lakota Sioux warriors after they killed Chief Conquering Bear, starting the First Sioux War. -
End of California gold rush
The California gold rush draws to an end when the gold was beginning to get too scarce and making a living off panning was too difficult. -
Last Island hurricane
A hurricane destroys Last Island, Louisiana, killing at least 200. The whole island is broken up into smaller islands by the storm -
7.9 earthquake in Cali
A 7.9 scaled earthquake affects Central and Southern California. -
Minnesota admitted into the U.S.
Minnesota is admitted as the 32nd U.S. state -
Silver discovered in Nevada
The discovery of the Comstock Lode in present-day Nevada sets off a rush of prospectors to the area. -
Pony Express starts
The Pony Express begins its first run from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. -
Beginning of Civil War
Battle of Fort Sumter, the beginning of the American Civil War -
Battle of Hampton Roads
Battle of Hampton Roads, the first battle between two ironclad warships -
First Transcontinental Railroad
In Sacramento, California the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States is occurring. -
Battle of Ware Bottom Church
Battle of Ware Bottom Church: In the Virginia Bermuda Hundred Campaign, 10,000 troops fight which results in a Confederate victory. -
South Carolina burns
Colombia, South Carolina burns during part of the Civil War. -
second/present day Capitol Dome
The second United States Capitol dome is completed in Washington, D.C. after 11 years of work. This is still the one we use today. -
Yellow fever outburst
Yellow fever kills 3,093 in New Orleans. -
Battle of Washita River
Battle of Washita River, part of the Indian wars. General Custer bombards a Cheyenne tribe and kills 103 Cheyenne. -
Fisk-Gould Scandal
Fisk and Gould make fake stocks that Vanderbilt buys into. Causes a financial panic across America. -
Standard Oil incorporated
John D. Rockefeller incorporates Standard Oil. -
William Holden, governor, impeached
In North Carolina, William Holden becomes the first governor of a U.S. state to be removed from office by impeachment. -
Great Boston Fire
In Boston, Massachusetts, a large fire burns on Lincoln Street. The two-day event destroyed about 65 acres, 776 buildings, $60 million in damage. -
Jesse James first train robbery
Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang pull off the first successful train robbery in the American West. Takes place in Adiar, Iowa. They rob $3,000 from the Rock Island Express. -
Hawaii signs a treaty including trading rights
Hawaii signs a treaty with the United States granting exclusive trading rights. -
Civil Rights Act passed
The United States Congress passes the Civil Rights Act, which prevents racial discrimination in public accommodations and jury duty. -
Death of Wild Bill Hickok
Wild Bill Hickok is killed in a poker game in Deadwood, South Dakota -
Battle of Wolf Mountain
In the Battle of Wolf Mountain Crazy Horse and his warriors fight their last battle with the United States Cavalry in Montana. -
Phonograph patented
The phonograph is patented by Thomas Edison in 1878. -
Deadwood, SD fire
A devastating fire in Deadwood, South Dakota. 2,000 homeless people. 300 buildings destroyed. Total loss of property is an estimated $3 million. -
Wabash is lighted up with electricity!
The first electric streetlight is installed in Wabash, Indiana and the city becomes the first electrically lighted city in the world. -
James A. Garfield becomes President
James A. Garfield becomes President -
Jesse James is killed
Jesse James, an old west outlaw, is shot in the back of the head in Missouri for a reward. -
Milwaukee fire
A fire at the Newhall Hotel in Milwaukee kills 73 people -
The Washington Monument is completed.
The Washington Monument is completed. -
Rock Springs mining massacre
The Rock Springs massacre in Rock Springs, Wyoming; 150 white miners attack Chinese workers killing 28, wounding 15, and forcing several hundred more out of town. -
Statue of Liberty is dedicated
In New York Harbor, U.S. President Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty. -
Largest snowflakes ever recorded
In a snowstorm at Fort Keogh, Montana, the largest snowflakes on record are reported. 15 inches wide by 8 inches thick. -
Washington Monument opens to public
The Washington Monument officially opens to the general public in D.C. -
Bakersfield fire
Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889 devastates Bakersfield, California, destroying 196 buildings and killing one person. -
Louisville tornado
A tornado in Louisville, Kentucky, kills 76 people and injures 200. -
Wrigley company founded
The Wrigley Company is founded in Chicago. -
Ellis island taking immigrants
Ellis Island begins accommodating immigrants to the United States. -
Grover Cleveland becomes President
Grover Cleveland becomes President. -
West Palm Beach becomes a city
West Palm Beach, Florida is incorporated as a city. -
Volleyball is created
Mintonette, later known as volleyball, is created by William G. Morgan -
Plessy vs. Ferguson case
The Plessy vs. Ferguson case takes place. The doctrine of "separate but equal" is established. -
Mckinley tragedy
President McKinley as Old Mother Hubbard finds the Federal Treasury cupboard bare. -
USS Maine explodes
The USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor, Cuba, killing 266 men. -
Voting machines approved for election
Voting machines are approved by the U.S. Congress for use in federal elections. -
Hawaii becomes US state
Hawaii officially becomes a state in the U.S. -
U.S. presidential election
Republican William McKinley is reelected after defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan. -
Train collision in NY Central
A train collision in New York Central kills 17 and injures 38. -
First Teddy Bear
Morris and Rose Mitchom introduce the first teddy bear in America. It is named after Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt. -
Panama Canal takeover
For $10 million, the United States gains control of the Panama Canal Zone. -
Snyder, OK tornado
A tornado in Snyder, Oklahoma kills almost 100 people in 1905. -
San Francisco Earthquake
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake with an estimated magnitude 7.8 on the San Andreas Fault, destroys a lot of the city, killing at least 3,000 with 225,000–300,000 left homeless. Almost $350 million in damages. -
Monongah Mining Disaster
A coal mine explosion kills 362 workers in Monongah, West Virginia. -
Ford Model T comes out
Henry Ford produces his first Model T automobile making it the first affordable automobile for the common man. -
Worlds first military airplane
The United States Army Signal Corp Division purchases the world's first military airplane. They buy the Wright Military Flyer from the Wright Brothers. -
Boy Scouts incorporated
The Boy Scouts of America youth organization is incorporated by William D. Boyce. -
First time an aircraft lands on a ship
Eugene Burton Ely lands on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania which was in San Francisco Bay, making it the first time for an aircraft to land on a ship. -
NM and AZ become US states
New Mexico and Arizona are admitted as the 47th and 48th U.S. states. -
Alum Chine explodes in Baltimore harbor
The British freighter Alum Chine explodes in Baltimore harbor, carrying 343 tons of dynamite. -
Babe Ruth makes debut
Baseball legend Babe Ruth makes his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. -
women's right to vote proposal rejected
The United States House of Representatives rejects a proposal to give women the right to vote. -
Montana takes record for biggest temperature drop
In Browning, Montana, the temperature drops from 44°F to −56°F in one day, the greatest change ever on record for a 24-hour period. -
Race Riot killing 250
A labor dispute is the cause of a race riot in East St. Louis, Illinois, which leaves 250 dead. -
Last living Carolina parakeet dies
The last Carolina parakeet, the male "Incas", dies at the Cincinnati Zoo. -
Theodore Roosevelt dies in his sleep
Theodore Roosevelt dies in his sleep at the age of 60. -
The Wall Street bombing
A bomb in a horse wagon explodes in front of the J. P. Morgan building in New York City. 38 die and 400 are injured.
