IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF UNITED STATES

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Listing of Events

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A group of American colonists, disguised as Indians, boarded ships of the British East India Company and threw the cargo of tea overboard to protest British "taxation without representation."

The American Revolution        

The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson's moving words, "All men are created equal... with certain unalienable rights... life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"' declared the 13 colonies free from British rule.

Constitutional convention held May through Sept. 1787, G. Washington presiding.  The Constitution was adopted Sept. 17, ratified June 21, 1788, in effect March 4, 1789.  Washington inaugurated 1st president April 30, 1789.

Spain returned the Louisiana Territory to France in 1800.  Sold to the U.S. by Napoleon for $15 million.  Territory stretched from Canada to Gulf of Mexico.  The acquisition more than doubled the size of the U.S. territory.

Fought by U.S. and Britain over trade with France and continuing role of the British in Indian hostility.  In 1814, British burned the U.S. Capitol and White House; Key wrote Star Spangled Banner.  Treaty of Ghent signed in Dec. 1814.

Speech delivered by President James Monroe to Congress.  Declared that the U.S. and the rest of the Americans were not open to future colonization or interference by European powers.

James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in the new U.S. territory of California on Jan. 24, 1849, 80,000 people emigrated to California to seek their fortune.

The Civil War

Northern vs. Southern states over the slavery issue.  Confederate troops attack Fort Sumter April 12, 1861, Union wins Gettysburg July 4, 1863, Lee surrenders to Grant April 9, 1865.  President Lincoln shot April 14, 1865.

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Spanish-American War

Fought between the U.S. and Spain over treatment of American interests in Cuba. Battleship Maine is blown up in Havana Feb. 15.. Treaty of Paris ceded Guam, Philippines, and Puerto Rico to U.S.

World War I

Originally neutral, the U.S. declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917, following attacks on U.S. shipping. One million troops in Europe by July 1918.  War ended Nov. 11, 1918.  Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919.

Women's Suffrage Movement

The ratification of the 19th Constitutional Amendment gave women the right to vote in all elections.  This was followed by the gradual creation of more opportunities for women in careers and education.

The Stock Market Crash

Wild stock market speculation followed by panic selling led to the Stock Market Crash of 1929.  The crash cost investors $40 billion by end of 1929 and led to the Great Depression of the 1930's.

World War II

Japanese attack Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. Battle of Midway, June 4-7, 1942 turns tide of war.  D-Day invasion, June 6, 1944.  In 1945, V-E Day was May 7, A-bombs dropped Aug. 6 and 9, B-J Day Aug 14.

The Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was the first serious U.S. effort towards containing communist expansion. In May 1953 U.S. aided Greece and Turkey in the first application of the Doctrine.  Basis for U.S. Cold War Policy.

The Korean War

U.N. forces (U.S. troops under Gen. MacArthur)sent to S. Korea to repel N. Korean attack (aided by USSR).  China entered war Oct. 26,1950.  Armistice signed. July 27, 1953.  No peace treaty signed.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Reconnaissance photos showed long-range missile construction sites in Cuba.  President Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Soviet ships until construction was halted and the missiles were withdrawn.

President Kennedy Assassinated

President Kennedy shot and killed as he rode in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas.  Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested but killed Nov. 24 by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.  Lyndon Johnson became President.

Martin Luther King Assassinated

Clergyman and civil rights leader Martin Luther King was shop and fatally wounded in Memphis, Tenn. An escaped convict, James Earl Ray pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Americans Land on the Moon

As millions watched on television, Apollo 11 landed on the moon.   Commander Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon followed by Col. Edwin Aldrin Jr.

The Vietnam War Ends

The first advisors were sent to S. Vietnam in 1950 and 15,000 troops were sent by 1963. By 1968, there were 550,000 troops present.  The peace treaty was signed on Jan. 27, 1973 and Saigon fell in May, 1975.

The Arab Oil Embargo Begins

Shuttle Challenger Explodes

The Challenger exploded 74 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida killing its crew of seven including a civilian school teacher, Christa maculae.   The space program was halted until Sept. 1988.

The Persian Gulf War

A multi-national coalition, led by the U.S., launched air strikes against Iran after Iraqi refusal to leave Kuwait which it had overrun in Aug. 1990.  A 6 week ground assault, known as Desert Storm, ended war.