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The USS Maine sinks!
The USS Maine suddenly explodes in Havana Harbor. The press ie mainly WR Herst and Joseph Pulitzer, blame Spain. The battlecry "Remember the Maine!" evolves. -
The USA declares war on Spain
Finally, pressured by Herst and Pulitzer, president McKinley asks Congress to declare war. War is declared on April 26 -
Period: to
The Spanish-American War
America gains control over Puerto Rico and the Phillipines for $20M. Spain's foriegn empire effectively ends.
American Dead: 2910
American Wounded: 1577
Spanish Dead: 13,560
Spanish Wounded: 6,000
Almost 50,000 people on both sides died from Diesease. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders charge over "Kettle" Hill, near the town of San Juan. The battle ends in a costly American Victory.
American Dead: 144
American Wounded: 1024
Spanish Dead: 658
Spanish Wounded: 366 -
Battle of Manila Bay
The Americans, led by Admiral George Dewey, attack the Spanish navy in the Phillipines.
American Dead: 6
American Wounded: 92
Spanish Dead: 150
Spanish Wounded: 300 -
McKinley Assasinated!
The "trust-buster" president, Theodore Roosevelt succeeds McKinley as the 26th president. -
First Flight
On this day, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; the Wright brothers make the first airplane flight. This, along with Henry Ford's T-Model Car sparks the 2nd Transportation Revolution. -
FBI Founded
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Henry Ford releases the Model-T
The 2nd great transportation revolution begins with this event, and the first flight of the Wright Brother's. -
Trinagle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
One of the worst factory disasters in American History, about 150 garment workers were killed, causing safety levels to be increased drastically in factories. For example, in the fire the escape stairway broke under just 8 people putting weight on it. -
The Titanic sinks!
On that fateful day, out of 2213 passengers, 1517 perished off the coast of Newfoundland. Many famous names died on the ship including John Jacob Astor IV, and Billionaire Benjamin Guggenhiem. -
World War I begins in Europe
Basically Germany, the Ottomans, and Austria fought Britain, France, and Russia -
Sinking of the Lusitania
German U-boats targeted the Lusitania, sinking her on this date. Out of 1959 passengers, about 1200 died including ~100 Americans. This paired with the Zimmermann telegram caused Wilson to declare war on Germany. -
The Zimmermann telegram decoded!
British Decoders successfully decode the Zimmermann telegram, provoking the US to join WWI.
The Zimmermann telgram basically said: "Mexico join the war on our side!" In return for your help, we'll give you back the American Southwest! -
Wilson's 14 points
As it became obvious that Germany was doomed, Wilson began crafting a plan for world peace after the war was officially over. He submitted his 14-points plan to Congress on this day. One of the most controversial "point" called for a League of Nations, a predessor to the modern day UN. -
Germany Formally Surrenders
After a final, desperate push, called the Hundred Days Offensive; Germany surrenders. WWI is officially over -
The last diagnosed case of Spanish Flu
On this day, a vicious epidemic lasting over a year finally ended. The Spanish Flu killed at least 50 MILLION people, for than 5x more than in WWI itself! -
The Teapot Dome Scandal
The second worst scandal in American Politics [to Watergate], this scandal occured during the presidency of Warren G Harding. Basically, Albert B Fall had leased Navy petroleum reserves at Teapot Dome in Wyoming and two other locations in California to private oil companies at low rates without competitive bidding. In 1922 and 1923, the leases became the subject of a sensational investigation by Senator Thomas J. Walsh. Fall was later convicted of accepting bribes from the oi -
Harlem Renassaince in full swing
THis was the time that famous Harlem singers were in full swing.
A list includes: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, A Phillip Randolph, Louis Armstrong, Madam CJ Walker, Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday, Walter White, and many more..... -
Scope's Monkey trial begins
In 1924, the passage of the Butler act banned the teaching of evolution in public schools. However, in 1925 teacher John Scopes purposely taught evolution to test the law. He was arrested and fined a modern day $500. Because of the ridiculousness of the case, the press nicknamed it the "monkey" trial. Even though he was found guilty he refused to pay. -
Charles Lindbergh's great flight
On this day, Charles Lindbergh became the first human to successfully cross the Atlantic ocean in his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis. -
The beginning of the great depression
On this day, nicknamed "Black Tuesday", the stock market bubble finally burst on Wall Street. At its worst points about 25% of americans were unemployed. Nowadays, unemployment is usually <6%. -
The beginning of the New Deal
In a momentous effort, known as FDR's "Hundred Days" he passed over 60 bills essentially crafting the first draft of the New Deal. -
FDR's first "Fireside Chat"
In a series of 30 radio broadcasts, known as "Fireside Chats", FDR reassured the American people about his New Deal. The first one occured on this day, and the last one took place on October 16, 1940, not counting his "Live in Infamy" speech. -
Assasination of Huey Long!
Louisiana senator, Huey Long was assasinated on this day. Nicknamed the "Kingfish", Long was a prominent politician, a real threat to the re-election of FDR -
Period: to
WWII
The bloodiest war in human history, basically Germany, Japan, and Italy [Axis] fought the USA, Russia, and Britain [Allies].
Axis Military Casualties: 20M
Axis Civilian Casualties: 15M
Allied Military Casualties: 45M
Allied Civilian Casualties: 30M
Total: >100M casualties, about 15% of the World's Pop. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
In a surprise attack, Japanese planes kill over 3000 US soldiers at Pearl Harbor, the USA declares war on Japan the next day, and Germany declares war on the USA 4 days after that. -
FDR's "That day shall forever live in Infamy" speech
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Battle of Midway
A decisive Japanese defeat, the US's victory over Japan was virtually gauranteed from this point forward.
Japanese Dead: ~3000, 4 carriers destroyed
Japanese Wounded: >4000
American Dead: 307, 1 carrier destroyed
American Wounded: ~2,000 -
The Holocaust
From ~1936 - 1945, Germany methodically transported people to concentration camps, where they were worked to death or simply killed. This "Final Solution" to ethically cleanse Germany would kill over 6 Million Jews and 4 Million others -
Nuking of Japan
Nagasaki is hit by an atomic bomb, injuring or killing ~80,000.
3 days earlier Hiroshima was also hit by an atomic bomb, injuring or killing ~140,000.
These are the only times nukes have ever been used on people. -
UN founded
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Churchill's "Iron Curtain" Speech
IN this speech Churchill said that Europe was divided by an "Iron Curtain" heralding the Cold War. To the west of the curtain was democratic capitalist countries, to the right was totalitarian communist countries, and along the border was a mix of the 4. -
Breaking the Color Line
ON this date, the Brooklyn Dodgers sign up Jackie Robinson, a black baseball player. This action historically breaks the "Color Barrier" but it is still many more year before black proffessional players become an accepted thing. -
CIA Founded
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Dewey Defeats Truman!
This incorrect phrase above was the frontpage news on the Chicago Tribune, in reality Truman got 303 electoral votes, Dewey got 189, and Strom Thurmond of the Dixiecrats got 39. -
McCarthism begins in the USA
In a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia on this day, McCarthy declared that he was aware of 205 card-carrying members of the Communist Party who worked for the United States Department of State. This began the 2nd Red Scare or McCarthy's Witch Hunts. -
Period: to
The Korean War
Basically, North Korea, and China fought South Korea and the UN.
North Korea&Chinese casualties: ~1.5M
South Korea&UN casualties: ~1M -
Battle of Inchon
The biggest amphibious assault since D-Day, nicknamed MacArthur's D-Day, it resulted in a dramatic turn in events which gave the South Koreans the upper hand again.
MacArthur's casualties: ~1000
North Korean casualties: ~2000 -
Douglas MacArthur relieved of command
For disobeying orders by pursueing the fleeing North Koreans all the way to the Yalu River, and then over it; he provoked China into entering the war on the North's side, and saw >1000 US deaths in the freezing winter and Chinese surprise attacks. For this, Harry Truman officially relieved him of command on this day. -
Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
On this day, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional and schools should desegregate "with all deliberate speed". -
Sputnik Launches beginning the Space Race
The first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1 launched on this day, the first confirmed man-made object in space. The "Space Race", between the US and the Soviet Union, is on! -
First Man in Space
Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is the first man in space giving the Soviets the advantage in the "Space Race".
Later, on June 16, 1963, Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the 1st woman in space. -
Bay of Pigs fiasco
Shortly after taking office, Kennedy authorized an attack to overthrow communist dictator Fidel Castro. US Advisors and Cuban Exiles with supposed US Air Support were supposed to land on Cuba and overthrow Castro. It failed dismally. The air support never came, Castro outnumbered the exiles over 10 to 1, and the Cuban people DIDN'T rise up to begin a revolution! -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 14, Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev authorized the installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the Florida coast. From the 14th to the 28th, the world almost erupted into Nuclear war. However, common sense on both sides eventually prevailed and the soviets removed their missiles in exchange for the US removing some obscure missiles in Turkey. -
LBJ becomes president following Kennedy's assassination
On this day, Kennedy is assasinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. 3 days later, Oswald is assassinated by Jack Ruby. Ruby later dies of tuberculosis.
Meanwhile, LBJ is sworn in by Sarah Tilghman Hughes on Air Force 1. -
MLK's "I Have a Dream Speech"
One of the most famous Civil Rights speech ever, MLK drew about 250,000 people to the Washington Memorial where he spoke those famous words. -
Gulf of Tonkin incident
LBJ claims that North Vietnamese sunk a US ship in the Gulf of Tonkin. LBJ escalates US involvement in Vietnam drastically, and begins to send in Armed Soldiers. About 8 months later, he formally declares war on the North. -
Malcolm X assassinated!
Malcolm X, a radical Civil Rights Leader and a member of the Nation of Islam, is assassinated on this day. Unlike MLK, he wanted blacks to use violent methods to gain full rights. Also, he left the radical Nation of Islam in 1963, he made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964. In 1965, he was assassinated, probably by agents of the Nation of Islam. -
Period: to
The Vietnam War
Technically beginning in November, 1955; major US involvement began on March 8, 1965. The last US soldiers left Vietnam in 1973 and South Vietnam's capital of Saigon fell April 30, 1975. Basically, a rebel faction in South Vietnam [Viet Minh], and North Vietnam [Viet Cong] fought loyal South Vietnamese and the US.
North Vietnam and Rebel casualties: ~1.5M
South Vietnamese casualties: ~1.5M
USA casualties: ~360,000 -
MLK's Selma to Montgomery march
On this day MLK ended his 5-day, 54 mile long march from Selma to Montgomery, to the courthouse of Alabama governor George Wallace. -
The My Lai Massacre
American Soldiers under Lieutenant William Calley Jr. murdered about 500 unarmed civilians at My Lai and My Khe villages. This act of US brutality shocked American's at home, and increased the dislike of the war. Only Calley, giulty of killing 22 civilians at My Lai was ever charged with any crime, and spent 3 years under house arrest. -
The Tet Offensive
A massive Northern Offensive, it was tactically a Southern Victory but Strategically a Northern Victory. This also turned public opinion against the war.
Northern casualties:~37000
Southern casualties:~20000 -
Assassination of Robert F Kennedy
Brother of JFK assassinated 5 years before RFK, was a prominent senator from Massachusetts and Attorney General. His, paired with the assassination of MLK on April 4, 1968 caused major cities to riot. In Chicago alone over 100 people were killed or wounded. -
First Man on the Moon!
Astronaut Niel Armstrong landed on the moon on this day, the first man ever to do so in Apollo 11. Up to date, only 12 men have ever walked on the moon, all of them before 1972. -
The Watergate Scandal
The worst scandal in American History, it led to the resignation of Nixon. Basically, Nixon bugged the Democratic National Convention, and then lied to cover it up. When people began to get suspicious of Nixon, he fired them. For example, Nixon ordered E. Richardson to fire A. Cox, when Richardson refused, he was fire. The he ordered W. Ruckelshaus to fire Cox; he to refused and was fired. Finally, R. Bork agreed and Archibald Cox was fired. This was known as the Saturday Night Massacre. -
Challenger Tragedy
Blamed on bad weather, and stiff O-Rings costing only $0.40, but the Space Shuttle cost about $1.7B and 7 lives were lost, including school teacher Crista McAuliffe. -
Oklahoma city bombing
Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols filled a truck with bombs and detonated it at the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building, killing or injuring about 850 people. -
9/11
Islamic Terrorists of Al-Qaeda hijacked 4 planes on this day. One plane flew into the Pentagon, one simply crash-landed in a field in Pennsylvania, and 2 more flew into the Twin Towers. Within hours the Twin Towers had both collapsed and about 3000 people were dead. -
Pluto demoted to a Dwarf-Planet
[by the International Astronomical Union] -
The Recession
One of the worst stock market crashes since the Great Depression, this one resulted from a burst in the real-estate bubble. Notable companies, like Lehman Brother's went bankrupt and unemployment reached about 10% -
Assassination of Osama Bin Laden
Al-Qaeda's leader, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks about a decade before, was killed on this day by Special Operations Forces.
