US History 2018

Invention of Golf

1457

https://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-golf.htm
The roots of the game of can date back to Scotland in 1457, but King James II banned it because it was a distraction from military training. The first eighteen hole golf course in the United States was created in 1893 at The Chicago Golf Club after the U.S.A caught onto the sport.

Christopher Columbus and the Columbian Exchange

1492

https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPA5oNpfM4
Christopher Columbus, in 1492, was searching for a quicker route from Europe to Asia when he "discovered" the Americas for Europe. This led to the Columbian Exchange between the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere where they combined culture, food, and disease killing many people.

Early References of Baseball

1600

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/mediacenter/baseball_discovered/timeline.jsp
References to games such as stoolball and bat and trap, games that have similar basic ideas, are mentioned in plays, poems, and dictionaries in the 1600s. Games similar to baseball and with the same idea were played during this time, but there is no evidence that actual baseball was around.

Puritan Settlement

1620

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13w8u_uE7om9Mi-TvCpbBBQieIqxMR8-L_Uo_0fYh4hw/edit#slide=id.g65569eb77_0_120
In the 16th century, the

French and Indian War

Period: 1753 to 1763

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/french-indian-war
The French and Indian war was fought between the British and French but is called the French and Indian as they were allies against the British. British did not start out well in the war but then came back to defeat the French officially ending with the Treaty of Paris giving a lot of land in North America to Britain. Unfortunately for Britain, after the war tensions grew with the colonies.

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Proclamation_of_1763
After the Treaty of Paris ending the French and Indian War, France gave up lands west of the Appalachian Mountains where Native Tribes were located. King George, in the Proclamation stated the settlement is forbidden west of the mountain range and Proclamation Line of 1763. This increased tensions between the Colonists and British because they colonists desired to expand West but this prohibited them to do so.

Boston Tea Party

Oct 16, 1773

http://www.ushistory.org/us/9f.asp
The American Colonists were angry with Britain because they were taxing unfair amounts on the colonists with representation in parliament. These taxes included the Townshend Act, Stamp Act, and Tea Act. The Boston Tea Party was there way of physically showing there anger by tossing 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor ruining it equalling three quarters of a million dollars.

Fugitive Slave Law

1850

http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Fugitive_Slave_Law_of_1850
The Fugitive Slave Law was part of the Compromise of 1850 and was passed to require people in the North to return slaves back to slave owners in the South. The people in the North opposed and disobeyed this law because they went against slavery and no one enforced it. The South wanted this law so it was in the U.S law and showed the Country approved slavery.

Underground Railroad

Period: 1850 to 1860

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html
The Underground was a network of people or abolitionists who helped fugitive slaves escape to free areas mostly in the North. It was initially formed during the 1700s but its height was between 1850 and 1860. It was called a railroad because "conductor" were the people helping the slaves escape and would stop at "stations" along the journey either being houses or businesses for rest, food, and water.

Election of 1860

1860

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/election-of-1860
In 1860, the Republican nominee was Abraham Lincoln against Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell who were Democrats and John Bell was the nominee for the Constitutional Union. Lincoln, who was against slavery, was elected with only forty percent of the votes showing how divided the country was at the time causing Southern states to secede from the Union.

Reconstruction

1865

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/reconstruction
The Reconstruction Era in the United States was an effort to rebuild the south after its defeat to the Union. This effort lasted from 1865-1877 and greatly affected blacks' rights such as the 14th and 15th amendments which guaranteed birthright citizenship, equal protection, and voting rights.

Transcontinental Railroad

Apr 9, 1869

https://railroad.lindahall.org/essays/brief-history.html
Before 1869, traveling East to West across the United States meant a six month difficult journey. The construction of the Railroad was also very difficult due to harsh weather and crossing mountains through tunnels and ravines, but immigrant workers with low pay were used to complete the journey. The two companies working to connect the railroad were the Central Pacific and Union Pacific finally meeting on April 9, 1869.

Jim Crow Laws

1870

https://www.britannica.com/event/Jim-Crow-law
In the 1870s Democrats in southern states had gained back control of their governments and how they wanted to lead. They passed the Jim Crow Laws that allowed and required public segregation of blacks and whites in schools and public transportation. This prevented any connection between blacks and whites, and whites wanted to feel more powerful and worthy.

Start of the MLB

1875

https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/mlb-history-first-professional-baseball-league-founded-031717
In 1871, the first professional baseball league was created, but in 1875 was when the National League was created which is officially part of the MLB. The Cincinnati Reds were the first official professional team although there is no way to tell when baseball was actually first invented

Ellis Island

1892

https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/ellis-island
Ellis Island opened in 1892 serving as an immigration station to allow and let people into the United States after they pasted certain physicals and tests. Its is estimated that around 40% of everyone in America can trace their ancestors back to have coming through Ellis Island. Immigrant came through Ellis Island looking for a better life in America to escape religious persecution, war, drought, and famine.

Creation of Pro Football

1892

https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/birth-of-pro-football/
On November 12th, nobody realized that it was a huge monument and start of a new sport, but ending up being the first pro football game. Allegheny Athletic Association paid William Heffelfinger 500 dollars to play the game against the Pittsburg Athletic Club marking the beginning of pro football and paying to play. The sport came from soccer and rugby, and it has now developed into the most popular American sport.

World War I

Period: 1914 to 1918

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history
World War I started after Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated. The war was against the Allied Powers and Central Powers ending with an Allied Power victory. The war was very deadly with new weapons such as the machine gun, tank, and was fought using trench warfare.

Babe Ruth

Jul 11, 1914

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/9dcdd01c
Babe Ruth, the legendary Red Sox and Yankees player, made his debut in 1914 changing baseball forever. With many nicknames, Ruth is considered one of the best to ever play the game and is famous for "calling his shot" before hitting a home run.

14 Point Plan

Jan 8, 1918

http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/fourteen-points.htm
In 1918, after the Allied Powers defeated the Central, President Wilson gave a speech to congress on what he believed would be the best way to end the war. He was not to harsh on Germany in his 14 points, because he wanted to create peace and not allow another World War to happen.

Farthest Home Run

Jun 3, 1937

In 1937, Josh Gibson hit the longest recored MLB home run traveling a staggering distance of 580 feet. There is no video evidence of this event but the next leader behind him is Mark McGwire with 487 feet.

Truman Doctrine

Mar 12, 1947

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/truman-doctrine
The Truman Doctrine changed United States foreign policy stating that the U.S would provide economic, military, and political aid to any democratic nations under the threat of communism. President Truman gave this speech on March 12, 1947 to help aid Greece and Turkey against their fight against communism after the British had to bail out. Truman understood the spread of communism would hurt World Peace and could danger the U.S.

Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier

Apr 15, 1947

https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/robinson-jackie
Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player to play in the Major Leagues. Doing so, he broke the color barrier for baseball standing up for equal rights and providing opportunities for many other men and kids like him.

Start of the NBA

1949

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nba-is-born
The Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League joined to create the NBA in 1949. The two leagues were rivals and the fans were too, but they joined to form one league.

Gulf on Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution-
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed President Lyndon B. Johnson to do anything he choses against North Vietnam. This caused an elevated and full commitment in the Vietnam war.

Astrodome

1965

https://www.nrgpark.com/nrg-park-facilities-2/nrg-astrodome/
The Astrodome debuted in 1965 becoming a one of a kind stadium that was fully enclosed with air-conditioning. The dome is also known as the "eighth wonder of the world" and could sit 70,000 fans watching many sporting and entertainment events.

The First Super Bowl

Jan 15, 1967

https://www.nfl.com/super-bowl/history/1967
Super Bowl I took place in 1967 against the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers won 35-10 in Los Angeles, California at La Memorial Coliseum with their star quarterback, Bart Starr.

Fastest Pitch

1974

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/671695-aroldis-chapman-and-the-15-fastest-pitches-ever-recorded#slide15
In 1974, Nolan Ryan recored the fastest pitch ever thrown being clocked in at 108.1 MPH. During this time Ryan was playing for the California Angels and no one has topped his record yet.

9/11 Attack

Sep 11, 2001

https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/9-11-attacks
September 11th was one of the most devastating days when four attacks were planned against the United States. The most horrific was the attack on the two twin towers when two planes hit each tower causing them to collapse. Another attack from the same group, al-Qaeda, hit the pentagon while the forth plane was crashed by the passengers who took it back after it was likely headed towards the White House.

Death of Muhammad Ali

Jun 3, 2016

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-16011175
Legend Muhammad Ali died in 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona after suffering from a respiratory illness. Muhammad Ali won 56 fights including 37 knockouts becoming a heavyweight champion and iconic sporting figure.

Astros World Series

Nov 1, 2017

https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-beat-dodgers-to-win-first-world-series/c-260380704
On November 1st, 2017, the Astros beat the Dodgers in a Game 7 of the World Series to become World Champions. This was a big event as Houston had never won a World Series and this was the first win after a long rebuild.