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The American colonists, under the command of George Washington, fight for their independence from Great Britain, eventually winning with the help of the French in 1783.
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With the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, the United States of America is established.
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New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify the Constitution, reaching the mandated two-thirds majority, establishing the new Federal Government. This is preceded by Deleware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey in 1787 as well as Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and South Carolina in 1788.
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Virginia ratifies the Constitution, becoming the 10th State.
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New York ratifies the Constitution, officially becoming the 11th State.
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North Carolina ratifies the Constitution, officially becoming the 12th State.
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Rhode Island ratifies the Constitution, officially becoming the 13th State.
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Vermont becomes the 14th State.
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Kentucky becomes the 15th State.
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Tennessee becomes the 16th State.
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Ohio becomes the 17th State.
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The United States purchased the Louisiana territory from France, giving the United States much of the land that now comprises the Mid-West
Image: “Louisiana Purchase, 1803,” U.S. Department of State (U.S. Department of State), accessed March 7, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/louisiana-purchase. -
Louisiana becomes the 18th state.
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The United States is at War with the United Kingdom for a second time.
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Indiana becomes the 19th State.
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Mississippi becomes the 20th State.
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Illinois becomes the 21st State.
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The United States signs an agreement with Spain, The United States paid $5 million for damages done to Spain and recognized the Spanish control over Texas. In return, Spain gave up their claims to the northwest and ceded Florida to the United States.
Image: “Acquisition of Florida: Treaty of Adams-Onis (1819) and Transcontinental Treaty (1821),” U.S. Department of State (U.S. Department of State), accessed March 7, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/florida. -
Alabama becomes the 22nd State.
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Maine becomes the 23rd State.
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Missouri becomes the 24th State.
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Arkansas becomes the 25th State.
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Michigan becomes the 26th State.
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Florida becomes the 27th State.
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Texas becomes the 28th State.
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The United States goes to war against Mexico, resulting in the United States gaining what is now the American southwest.
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Iowa becomes the 29th State.
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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War, resulting in Mexico giving up 55 percent of its territory located in the present-day American southwest.
Image: “Map of the United States Including Western Territories,” DocsTeach, accessed March 7, 2023, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/western-territories-map. -
Wisconsin becomes the 30th State.
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The United States Congress forms the Oregon Territory, which comprises of territory in the present-day Pacific Northwest.
Image: “Formation of the Oregon Territory (U.S. National Park Service),” National Parks Service (U.S. Department of the Interior, August 6, 2022), https://www.nps.gov/places/formation-of-the-oregon-territory.htm -
California becomes the 31st State.
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The Gadsden Purchase was a treaty between The United States and Mexico, where the United States bought an additional portion of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico for $10 million.'
Image: “Gadsden Purchase, 1853–1854,” U.S. Department of State (U.S. Department of State), accessed March 7, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/gadsden-purchase. -
Minnesota becomes the 32nd State.
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Oregon becomes the 33rd State.
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South Carolina becomes the first State to Secede from the Union
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Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana seceded in January, Texas seceded in February, Virginia seceded in April, Arkansas, and North Carolina seceded in May, and finally Tennessee in June of 1861.
Image: “Secession United States” Library of Congress. Accessed March 7, 2023. https://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/placesinhistory/archive/2011/20110314_secession.html -
Kansas becomes the 34th State.
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West Virginia stays loyal to the Union and becomes the 35th State.
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Nevada becomes the 36th State.
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Tenessee is allowed to send members back to the United States Congress.
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Nebraska becomes the 37th State.
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The United States officially purchases the Alaskan territory from Russia for $7.2 million officially removing Russia from North America.
Image: “Map of Russian America or Alaska Territory.,” The Library of Congress, accessed March 7, 2023, https://www.loc.gov/item/99446183/. -
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina are allowed to send members back to the United States Congress.
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Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia are allowed to send members back to the United States Congress.