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Date |
Event(s) |
| 1 | 1791 | - 15 Dec 1791: Bill of Rights ratified
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution were ratified, guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms.
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| 2 | 1794 | - 1 Jan 1794: Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested a federal tax on whiskey, leading to a military response by President Washington.
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| 3 | 1795 | - 10 Aug 1795: Treaty of Greenville
A treaty was signed between the United States and a confederation of Native American tribes, ceding a large portion of what is now Ohio.
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| 4 | 1796 | - 1 Jan 1796: Tennessee becomes 16th state
Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state.
- 17 Nov 1796: Washington's Farewell Address
George Washington published his farewell address, warning against political factions and foreign entanglements.
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| 5 | 1797 | - 4 Mar 1797: John Adams becomes President
John Adams was inaugurated as the second President of the United States.
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| 6 | 1798 | - 7 Jul 1798: Quasi-War with France
The U.S. entered an undeclared naval war with France, triggered by French seizure of American ships.
- 14 Jul 1798: Alien and Sedition Acts
Congress passed a series of laws that made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens and allowed the government to deport or imprison "seditious" persons.
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| 7 | 1801 | - 4 Mar 1801: Thomas Jefferson inaugurated
Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as the third President of the United States.
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| 8 | 1803 | - 30 Apr 1803: Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased a vast territory from France for $15 million, nearly doubling the size of the country.
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| 9 | 1804 | - 14 May 1804: Lewis and Clark Expedition begins
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.
- 2 Dec 1804: Jefferson reelected
Thomas Jefferson was reelected as President of the United States.
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| 10 | 1807 | - 2 Mar 1807: Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves
Congress passed a law prohibiting the importation of slaves into the United States, effective January 1, 1808.
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| 11 | 1809 | - 14 Jan 1809: Erie Canal construction begins
Construction began on the Erie Canal, a major infrastructure project that connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
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| 12 | 1812 | - 18 Jun 1812: War of 1812 begins
The United States declared war on Great Britain over maritime rights and British support for Native American tribes.
- 16 Aug 1812: Surrender of Detroit
American forces surrendered Detroit to the British, a major early defeat in the War of 1812.
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| 13 | 1814 | - 24 Aug 1814: Burning of Washington
British troops captured and burned Washington, D.C., including the White House and the Capitol.
- 13 Sep 1814: Battle of Fort McHenry
American forces at Fort McHenry successfully defended Baltimore from a British naval attack, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."
- 24 Dec 1814: Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed, officially ending the War of 1812.
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| 14 | 1815 | - 8 Jan 1815: Battle of New Orleans
General Andrew Jackson defeated the British in the final major battle of the War of 1812, fought after the peace treaty had been signed.
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| 15 | 1817 | - 4 Mar 1817: James Monroe inaugurated
James Monroe was sworn in as the fifth President of the United States.
- 10 Dec 1817: Mississippi becomes 20th state
Mississippi was admitted to the Union.
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| 16 | 1819 | - 2 Mar 1819: Missouri Compromise
Congress passed a compromise allowing Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining the balance of power.
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| 17 | 1823 | - 2 Dec 1823: Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe announced a U.S. foreign policy opposing European colonialism in the Americas.
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| 18 | 1825 | - 26 Oct 1825: Erie Canal completed
The Erie Canal officially opened, revolutionizing transportation and trade.
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| 19 | 1826 | - 4 Jul 1826: Jefferson and Adams die
Former presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
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| 20 | 1829 | - 4 Mar 1829: Andrew Jackson inaugurated
Andrew Jackson was sworn in as the seventh President, beginning the "Age of Jackson."
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| 21 | 1830 | - 28 May 1830: Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson signed a law forcing the relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands.
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| 22 | 1836 | - 2 Mar 1836: Texas declares independence
Texas declared its independence from Mexico, leading to the Texas Revolution.
- 6 Mar 1836: Battle of the Alamo
Texan defenders of the Alamo were defeated by Mexican forces after a 13-day siege.
- 28 Dec 1836: Battle of San Jacinto
Texan forces led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexican army, securing Texas independence.
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| 23 | 1838 | - 28 May 1838: Trail of Tears begins
The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation from their homeland began, resulting in thousands of deaths.
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| 24 | 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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| 25 | 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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| 26 | 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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| 27 | 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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| 28 | 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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| 29 | 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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| 30 | 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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| 31 | 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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| 32 | 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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| 33 | 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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| 34 | 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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| 35 | 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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| 36 | 1862 | - 8 Mar 1862: Monitor vs. Merrimack
The first battle between two ironclad warships took place in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
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| 37 | 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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| 38 | 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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| 39 | 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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| 40 | 1867 | - 1 Jan 1867: Reconstruction Acts
Congress passed acts that divided the South into five military districts and set conditions for readmission to the Union.
- 30 Mar 1867: Alaska Purchase
The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a deal widely known as "Seward's Folly."
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| 41 | 1868 | - 1 Jan 1868: 14th Amendment ratified
The 14th Amendment was ratified, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.
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| 42 | 1869 | - 1 May 1869: Transcontinental Railroad completed
The first transcontinental railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, Utah.
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| 43 | 1870 | - 1 Jan 1870: 15th Amendment ratified
The 15th Amendment was ratified, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race.
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| 44 | 1876 | - 25 Jun 1876: Battle of the Little Bighorn
Lakota and Cheyenne warriors defeated U.S. Army forces led by General George Custer in Montana.
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| 45 | 1877 | - 2 Mar 1877: Compromise of 1877
A political deal that ended the disputed 1876 presidential election and resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, ending Reconstruction.
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| 46 | 1881 | - 1 Jan 1881: American Federation of Labor founded
The AFL was founded by Samuel Gompers as a national federation of labor unions.
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| 47 | 1882 | - 4 Sep 1882: Edison's Pearl Street Station
Thomas Edison's electric power plant began operation in New York City, providing power for the first time.
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| 48 | 1886 | - 1 May 1886: Haymarket Affair
A labor protest rally in Chicago turned into a riot after a bomb was thrown, killing police officers and civilians.
- 28 Oct 1886: Statue of Liberty dedicated
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor.
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| 49 | 1890 | - 1 Dec 1890: Wounded Knee Massacre
U.S. soldiers killed over 150 Lakota people in what is considered the final major conflict of the Indian Wars.
- 29 Dec 1890: Sherman Antitrust Act
Congress passed the first federal law prohibiting trusts and monopolies to promote competition.
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| 50 | 1893 | - 1 Jan 1893: Panic of 1893
A severe economic depression began, marked by bank failures and high unemployment.
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| 51 | 1896 | - 1 Jan 1896: Plessy v. Ferguson decision
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
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| 52 | 1898 | - 15 Feb 1898: USS Maine explodes
The USS Maine battleship exploded in Havana Harbor, leading to the Spanish-American War.
- 21 Apr 1898: Spanish-American War begins
The United States declared war on Spain.
- 13 Aug 1898: Spanish-American War ends
The Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the war and ceding territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
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| 53 | 1900 | - 14 Dec 1900: Hawaii annexed
The United States officially annexed Hawaii.
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