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Founding of Jamestown
Jamestown, in Virginia, was the first permanent English colony in North America, established by the Virginia Company. The settlers faced extreme difficulties, such as hunger, diseases, and conflicts with Native Americans, but they managed to survive thanks to the cultivation of tobacco, which became a key product for the colonial economy. Jamestown laid the foundation for British colonization on the continent and is considered the origin of the United States. -
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Thirteen Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain by signing the Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson. This document proclaimed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and marked the beginning of the American Revolution. Independence was formally recognized in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris. -
U.S. Constitution
The Constitution, written in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention, established a federal system with separation of powers (executive, legislative, and judicial) and guarantees of individual rights. It was ratified in 1788 and remains the supreme law of the country. The Bill of Rights, added in 1791, protects fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech and religion. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, doubling its size. This expansion, negotiated by Thomas Jefferson, allowed the exploration of the West, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The purchase reinforced the idea of "Manifest Destiny," the belief in the inevitable territorial expansion of the United States. -
1861-1865: American Civil War
The Civil War was fought between the northern states (Union) and the southern states (Confederacy) over slavery and states' rights. The conflict, which left more than 600,000 dead, ended with the Union's victory and the abolition of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and the 13th Amendment (1865). -
Entry into World War I
The United States joined the Allies in World War I after the sinking of the Lusitania and German submarine attacks. Its participation, with over 2 million soldiers sent to Europe, was decisive for the Allied victory. President Woodrow Wilson promoted the "Fourteen Points" to establish lasting peace. -
Great Depression
The stock market crash in 1929 triggered the Great Depression, a global economic crisis that left millions of people unemployed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal, a series of programs to revive the economy and protect citizens, such as Social Security and the creation of public jobs. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor and Entry into World War II
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, led the United States to enter World War II. Its participation was crucial for the defeat of the Axis powers, with key moments like the D-Day invasion (1944) and the liberation of Europe. The war solidified the United States as a global superpower. -
March on Washington and "I Have a Dream" Speech
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom brought together over 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial. It was a key moment in the civil rights movement, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for racial equality and social justice. -
Moon Landing
Apollo 11 landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to walk on its surface. This achievement, part of the space race against the Soviet Union, symbolized U.S. leadership in science and technology. The mission was a triumph for NASA and a historic moment for humanity.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" (Neil Armstrong). -
September 11 Attacks
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed U.S. foreign and security policies. The country responded with the War on Terror, invading Afghanistan and Iraq. This event also led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and strengthened anti-terrorism measures. -
Election of Barack Obama as President
Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States, marking a historic milestone in the fight for racial equality and diversity in political leadership. His election symbolized generational change and a message of hope and unity. During his presidency, he pushed for key reforms like the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and addressed challenges such as the 2008 economic crisis.