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Date |
Event(s) |
| 1 | 1789 | - 4 Mar 1789: U.S. Constitution goes into effect
The new U.S. government was formally established under the Constitution.
- 30 Apr 1789: George Washington inaugurated
George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States in New York City.
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| 2 | 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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| 3 | 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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| 4 | 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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| 5 | 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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| 6 | 1797 | - 4 Mar 1797: John Adams becomes President
John Adams was inaugurated as the second President of the United States.
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| 7 | 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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| 8 | 1801 | - 4 Mar 1801: Thomas Jefferson inaugurated
Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as the third President of the United States.
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| 9 | 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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| 10 | 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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| 11 | 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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| 12 | 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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| 13 | 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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| 14 | 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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| 15 | 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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| 16 | 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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| 17 | 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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| 18 | 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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| 19 | 1825 | - 26 Oct 1825: Erie Canal completed
The Erie Canal officially opened, revolutionizing transportation and trade.
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| 20 | 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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| 21 | 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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| 22 | 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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| 23 | 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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| 24 | 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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| 25 | 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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| 26 | 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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| 27 | 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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| 28 | 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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| 29 | 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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| 30 | 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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| 31 | 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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1789 - 1856 (66 years)
