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Date |
Event(s) |
| 1 | 1845 | - 29 Dec 1845: Texas annexed by U.S.
The Republic of Texas was annexed by the United States, becoming the 28th state.
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| 2 | 1846 | - 13 May 1846: Mexican-American War begins
The United States declared war on Mexico over a border dispute in Texas.
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| 3 | 1848 | - 24 Jan 1848: California Gold Rush begins
Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill, California, triggering a massive migration of "forty-niners."
- 24 Jan 1848: Gold discovered in California
James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, beginning the California Gold Rush.
- 2 Feb 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The treaty was signed, ending the Mexican-American War and ceding significant territory to the United States.
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| 4 | 1850 | - 9 Sep 1850: Compromise of 1850
A series of five bills passed to address the issue of slavery, including admitting California as a free state and enacting the Fugitive Slave Act.
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| 5 | 1852 | - 20 Mar 1852: Uncle Tom's Cabin published
Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel was published, becoming a bestseller and fueling the abolitionist movement.
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| 6 | 1854 | - 30 May 1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act
The act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed settlers to decide on the issue of slavery through "popular sovereignty."
- 15 Oct 1854: Republican Party founded
Anti-slavery activists and Whig Party members formed the Republican Party in Ripon, Wisconsin.
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| 7 | 1856 | - 21 May 1856: Sack of Lawrence
Pro-slavery forces attacked and looted the anti-slavery town of Lawrence, Kansas, during "Bleeding Kansas."
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| 8 | 1857 | - 6 Mar 1857: Dred Scott decision
The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
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| 9 | 1858 | - 15 Oct 1858: Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held a series of seven debates on the issue of slavery in Illinois.
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| 10 | 1859 | - 16 Oct 1859: John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown led a raid on a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to start a slave revolt.
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| 11 | 1860 | - 6 Nov 1860: Abraham Lincoln elected
Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States.
- 20 Dec 1860: South Carolina secedes
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union following Lincoln's election.
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| 12 | 1861 | - 8 Feb 1861: Confederate States of America formed
Seven Southern states formed the Confederate States of America.
- 4 Mar 1861: Lincoln inaugurated
Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States.
- 12 Apr 1861: Attack on Fort Sumter
Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, marking the start of the American Civil War.
- 21 Jul 1861: First Battle of Bull Run
The first major land battle of the Civil War resulted in a Confederate victory.
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| 13 | 1862 | - 8 Mar 1862: Monitor vs. Merrimack
The first battle between two ironclad warships took place in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
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| 14 | 1863 | - 1 Jan 1863: Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in Confederate-held territory.
- 1 Jul 1863—3 Jul 1863: Battle of Gettysburg
A major Union victory in Pennsylvania that is considered a turning point of the war.
- 4 Jul 1863: Siege of Vicksburg ends
Union forces captured Vicksburg, Mississippi, giving them control of the Mississippi River.
- 19 Nov 1863: Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg.
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| 15 | 1864 | - 8 Nov 1864: Lincoln reelected
Abraham Lincoln was reelected as President of the United States.
- 15 Nov 1864—21 Dec 1864: Sherman's March to the Sea
Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led his troops on a destructive march through Georgia.
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| 16 | 1865 | - 9 Apr 1865: Lee surrenders at Appomattox
Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.
- 14 Apr 1865: Lincoln assassinated
President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre.
- 18 Dec 1865: 13th Amendment ratified
The 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, was ratified.
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1843 - 1865 (22 years)
