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Date |
Event(s) |
| 1 | 1787 | - 25 May 1787—17 Sep 1787: Delegates met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation
but instead drafted a new Constitution.
- 13 Jul 1787: Northwest Ordinance passed
The Northwest Ordinance established a process for admitting new states to the Union and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
- 17 Sep 1787: U.S. Constitution signed
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia.
- 7 Dec 1787: Delaware ratifies Constitution
Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
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| 2 | 1788 | - 21 Jun 1788: New Hampshire ratifies Constitution
New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, putting it into effect.
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| 3 | 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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| 4 | 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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| 5 | 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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| 6 | 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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| 7 | 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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| 8 | 1797 | - 4 Mar 1797: John Adams becomes President
John Adams was inaugurated as the second President of the United States.
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| 9 | 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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| 10 | 1801 | - 4 Mar 1801: Thomas Jefferson inaugurated
Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as the third President of the United States.
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| 11 | 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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| 12 | 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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| 13 | 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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| 14 | 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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| 15 | 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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| 16 | 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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1880 - 1881 (1 year)
