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1492
Columbus Discovers America
Christopher Columbus lands in America while attempting to find a quicker trade route to Asia. His discovery leads to the European exploration and colonization of the Americas. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=2&smtid=1 -
Jamestown
The English create their first permanent settlement in the New World called Jamestown. Although it went through many turbulent years, Jamestown endured and lead to the beginning of the cash crop industry in the South. (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=2&smtid=1) -
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Seven Years War/ French-Indian War
The American theatre of the Seven Years War was fought primarily between the French and British with some assistance from natives. Many future American leaders like George Washington fought in the war and the attrition based warfare of the war would echo the way the American Revolution was fought. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=3&smtid=1 -
Proclamation Line of 1763
To prevent conflict with the natives Britain passes the Proclamation Line of 1763 which made it so American Colonists could not move past the Appalachian Mountains which they had just fought for. This was the beginning of Britains grievances against the 13 colonies. (https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1881267?terms=proclamation+line&sType=quick) -
American Declaration of Independence
Following many grievances and after several engagements between Colonial Militias and the British Army, the Continental Congress passes the Declaration of Independence formally beginning the Revolutionary War. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=3&smtid=1 -
Battle of Yorktown
After many years of hard fighting, the Americans with French support defeat British general Cornwallis at Yorktown brining an end to the fighting in America. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=3&smtid=1 -
The Cotton Gin
An invention that made the harvesting of cotton, one of the primary cash crops and reasons for slavery in the South. Increased the production of cotton on plantations and made it so less slaves were needed. (https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/261238?terms=cotton+gin&sType=quick) -
Trail of Tears
The civilized Comanche Indian nation was forcibly moved to Oklahoma by Martin Van Buren, the successor of Andrew Jackson. The march was very deadly and signaled that natives had no place in the future of Americas expansion. (America: the Story of Us) -
Fort Sumter
Following the Souths secession from the Union, the Confederates fire upon the Union garrison at Fort Sumter in Charleston. This would lead to the North declaring war on the South. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=7&smtid=1 -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the Republican nominee in the 1864 election and a strong opponent of slavery, is elected to the presidency with only 40 percent of the vote. Fearing Lincolns views on slavery, the Southern States secede. https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1187664?terms=Southern+Secession+&sType=quick -
13th Amendment
Following the end of the American Civil War, the 13th amendment was passed formally abolishing slavery in America. Even though this freed the blacks they were still subjected to extreme inequality. However it would also allow for African American music styles like the blues to form which would form the foundation of Rock.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=7&smtid=1 -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment was passed by the Radical Republicans who controlled to combat Southern Black Codes. (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=8&smtid=1) -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island opens letting in countless immigrants including many Irish and Italian immigrants. The new breed of European immigrants would result in influential American rock stars like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. (https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1298142?terms=ellis+island&sType=quick) -
Woody Guthrie is Born
American folk singer songwriter Woody Guthrie is born in Oklahoma on July 14, 1912. His songwriting would go on to influence fellow American songwriters like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and even British songwriters like Joe Strummer. (http://online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/3?articleId=251810&q=Woody%20Guthrie) -
Germany Declares War on France
Following the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and a series of declaration of wars made by Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany declares war on France. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=12&smtid=1 -
Treaty of Versailles
Following the American entry to the Great War, Germany is forced to sign an armistice and surrender. In the following Treaty of Versailles, harsh territorial and economic concessions, contrary to the wishes of President Woodrow Wilson. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=12&smtid=1 -
Chuck Berry is Born
Known as the "godfather of rock," African-American singer-songwriter and guitarist Chuck Berry is born on October 18, 1926. Berry would go on to be one of the first Black musicians to top the charts, helped bring rock to the mainstream and influenced countless musicians from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen. (https://africanamerican.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1461507?terms=Chuck+Berry&sType=quick) -
Birth of Andy Warhol
On August 6, 1928, famed American artist Andy Warhol was born. He would go on to contribute greatly to the pop art movement and would produce the influential Velvet Underground. (https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/248108?terms=andy+warhol&sType=quick) -
Birth of Elvis
Born in rural Mississippi, Elvis Presley grew up being influenced by african american rockabilly and blues artists. He would become one of the most influential and popular singers of all time, fusing together multiple genres of music and bringing them to public attention. -
German Invasion of Poland
On the first of September of 1939, the German Reich invaded Poland, starting a war with France and Britain and beginning the Second World War. (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=15&smtid=1) -
Invention of the Phonograph
Invented by Thomas Edison. Would be used to play forms of music on vinyl. -
Are You Experienced
The debut album of African American singer-guitarist Jimi Hendrix and his English backing band becomes the bestselling album of 1968. (https://africanamerican.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1461505?terms=jimi+hendrix&sType=quick) -
The Tet Offensive
North Vietnam launched a large scale offensive against South Vietnam on the holy holiday of Tet. Although the North was unsuccessful, the American public lost support in the war after the offensive. (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=18&smtid=1) -
Kent State Shooting
At Kent State University in Ohio, students protested the US invasion of Cambodia, leading to the national guard being called in. The national guard fired upon the students killing four and inspiring the Neil Young song Ohio -
The Vietnam War
One of the bloodiest and most unwarranted wars in American history. It lead to thousands of American casualties and was the inspiration for Bruce Springsteens famously misunderstood song Born In the USA.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=18&smtid=1 -
9/11
Following the attack on the twin towers America entered wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This would result in the Bruce Springsteen albums the Rising, a 9/11 recovery album, and Magic which had anti-Bush undertones. (https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1896287?terms=war+on+terror&sType=quick) -
Invasion of Iraq
President Bush received authorization from Congress to invade Iraq because of their possible possession of WMDs. This would lead to the overthrow of Saddam Husseins regime and the prolonged American involvement in the region. (https://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1896287?terms=war%20on%20terror&webSiteCode=SLN_AMHIST&returnToPage=%2fSearch%2fDisplay%2f1896287%3fterms%3dwar+on+terror&sType=quick&token=438998E2017562FD00A7AB511EA18E88&casError=False)
