Overview of and topical guide to United States history
The followingoutline is provided as an overview of and a topical guide to thehistory of the United States
Named eras and periods [ edit ] These multi-year periods are commonly identified in American history. The existence and dating of some of these periods is debated by historians.
Political parties These periods are commonly identified as the large changes within political parties. Newer Party Systems are typically disputed by experts and historians due to the complexity of changes in political parties.
Wars SeeList of wars involving the United States .
Timelines and lists [ edit ] On October 12, 1492, three Spanish ships under the command ofCristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus ) landed on theLucayan island ofGuanahani San Salvador (The Savior). On November 14, 1493, aSpanish fleet under the command of Columbus lands on a large inhabited island which he namesSanta Cruz San Tomas San Juan Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes Virgin Islands ). On November 19, 1493, Columbus lands on the largeTaíno island ofBorikén which he namesSan Juan Bautista Saint John the Baptist , nowPuerto Rico and part of the United States). On August 8, 1508, Spanishconquistador Juan Ponce de León establishesCapárra , the first European settlement on the island ofSan Juan Bautista in Puerto Rico. OnEaster Sunday , April 2, 1513, a Spanish expedition led byJuan Ponce de León lands on a huge inhabited island (later determined to be a continental peninsula) which he namesLa Pascua Florida Florida ). On March 6, 1521, three Spanish ships under the command ofFernão de Magalhães (Ferdinand Magellan ) land on theIsland of Guam after a seemingly endless eleven week voyage across the Pacific Ocean. Magellan names the archipelagoLas Isles de las Velas Latinas Las Islas de los Ladrones In May 1539, Spanish explorerHernando de Soto lands nine ships at southernTampa Bay in Florida with 620 men and 220 horses. In 1540, Hernando de Soto leads his expedition through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi. In May 1541, Hernando de Soto reaches the Mississippi River and explores Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Oklahoma. A Spanish expedition led byJuan Rodríguez Cabrillo lands at a bay of the Pacific Ocean which he namesSan Miguel Saint Michael , nowSan Diego, California ) on September 28, 1542. A Spanish expedition led byTristán de Luna y Arellano establishes a colony atSanta Maria de Ochuse Pensacola, Florida ) on August 15, 1559.A hurricane destroys most of the Ochuse colony five weeks later on September 19, 1559. Jean Ribault explores theAtlantic coast ofFlorida for France in 1562.French Huguenots led byRené Goulaine de Laudonnière establishFort de la Caroline on June 22, 1564Spanish Governor Pedro Menéndez de Avilés establishes a colony about 10leagues (56 kilometers or 35 miles) farther south atSan Agustín (St. Augustine, Florida ) on September 8, 1565Spanish Governor Pedro Menéndez de Avilés capturesFort de la Caroline on September 20, 1565Governor Menéndez orders the execution of 140 Huguenots fromFort de la Caroline and orders fort rebuilt asFuerte San Mateo Governor Menéndez orders the execution of Jean Ribault and 350 shipwrecked Huguenots on October 12, 1565 French raiders led byDominique de Gourgues destroyFuerte San Mateo and murder all its defenders on April 27–28, 1567 SpanishJesuit priests establishMission Santa Maria Ajacán Virginia Peninsula ) on September 10, 1570 – 1572 Spain,Portugal ,Italy , and thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth adopt the newGregorian calendar on October 15, 1582 (New Style ) English establishRoanoke Colony onRoanoke Island inVirginia (nowNorth Carolina ) in July 1585 On August 18, 1590, a resupply party finds the Roanoke Colony dismantled and deserted. The fate of the settlers remains a mystery. Spanish Governor Juan de Oñate Salazar founds the colony ofSanta Fé de Nuevo Méjico New Mexico ) atSan Juan de los Caballeros French establish the colony ofl'Acadie Acadia ) onÎle Sainte-Croix Saint Croix Island, Maine ), June 1604 – 1605 English establish theVirginia Colony onJamestown Island on May 14, 1607 English establish thePopham Colony along theKennebec River (Maine ) on August 13, 1607 – August 1607 First Anglo-Powhatan War , 1609–1613Spanish Governor Pedro de Peralta moves the capital ofSanta Fé de Nuevo Méjico New Mexico ) fromSan Juan de los Caballeros La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís Santa Fe ) in 1610The firstslave ship arrives inJamestown, Virginia , in 1619 EnglishPuritans establish thePlymouth Colony on November 11, 1620 Netherlands establish the province ofNieuw-Nederland (New Netherland ) along theHudson River in May 1624English Puritans establish theNewe-England Colony on September 6, 1628 KingCharles I of England grants theNewe-England Colony a royal charter as theGovernour and Company of the Mattachusetts Bay in Newe-England on March 4, 1629 TheTown of Boston is chartered and named capital of theMassachusetts Bay Colony , September 7, 1630 EnglishPuritans establish theSaybrook Colony along theConnecticut River , 1635 EnglishPuritans establish theRiver Colony along theConnecticut River , March 3, 1636 Roger Williams establishes theColony of Providence , June 1636Pequot War , July 20, 1636 – May 26, 1637Swedish establish the colony ofNya Sverige New Sweden ) along theDelaware River , March 29, 1638English establish theNewe-Haven Colony , April 14, 1638 Anne Hutchinson establishes the first of thecolonies of Rhode Island , 1638King Charles II grants a charter for theColony of Providence Plantations including theColony of Providence and thecolonies of Rhode Island , March 1644 Second Anglo-Powhatan War , 1644–1646TheConnecticut Colony annexes theSaybrook Colony , 1644 KingCharles II of England grants theRiver Colony a royal charter as theColony of Connecticut , May 1662 KingCharles II of England grants a royal charter for theColony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations , 1663 England seizesNew Netherland from the Netherlands, August 27, 1664. England splitsNew Netherland into theProvince of New-York and theProvince of New-Jersey . TheColony of Connecticut annexes theNew-Haven Colony , January 5, 1665 Second Anglo-Dutch War , March 4, 1665 – July 31, 1667Third Anglo-Dutch War , April 7, 1672 – March 5, 1674TheProvince of New-Jersey is split into theProvince of East Jersey and theProvince of West Jersey , March 18, 1673 King Philip's War , June 8, 1675 – August 12, 1676Pueblo Revolt inSanta Fé de Nuevo Méjico , August 10, 1680 – September 14, 1692KingCharles II of England grantsWilliam Penn a charter for theProvince of Pennsylvania , March 4, 1681 William Penn leases thethree lower counties on the Delaware River (Delaware ) fromJames, Duke of York , March 1682William Penn writes the firstFrame of Government of Pennsylvania (including thethree lower counties on the Delaware River ), April 2, 1682Dominion of New-England in America , June 3, 1686 – May 18, 1689England creates theDominion of New-England in America to rule theColony of Massachusetts Bay , theColony of New-Plymouth , theProvince of New-Hampshire , theProvince of Main , and theNarraganset Country or King's Province , June 3, 1686 England adds theColony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and theConnecticut Colony to theDominion of New England in America , September 9, 1686 England adds theProvince of New-York , theProvince of East Jersey , and theProvince of West Jersey to theDominion of New-England in America , May 7, 1688 The government of theDominion of New-England in America collapses, May 18, 1689. TheColony of Massachusetts Bay , theColony of New-Plymouth , theProvince of New-Hampshire , theProvince of Main , theNarraganset Country or King's Province as theDominion of New-England in America , theColony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations , theConnecticut Colony , theProvince of New-York , theProvince of East Jersey , and theProvince of West Jersey resume their previous self-governance. King William's War , 1689 – September 20, 1697Englishdiarchs William III andMary II organize theProvince of Massachusetts Bay as acrown colony including theMassachusetts Bay Colony , theNew-Plymouth Colony ,Martha's Vineyard ,Nantucket Island , theProvince of Maine , and the English claims inNova Scotia , October 7, 1691 Governor Francis Nicholson moves the capital of theProvince of Maryland fromSaint Mary's City toAnne Arundel's Towne which he renamesAnnapolis , 1694Map of North America at the start ofQueen Anne's War (1702), showing areas occupied by the three European powers England reunites theProvince of East Jersey and theProvince of West Jersey as theProvince of New-Jersey Queen Anne's War , 1702 – April 11, 1713William Penn grants thethree lower counties on the Delaware River their ownGeneral Assembly , makingDelaware a semi-autonomous region of theProvince of Pennsylvania , November 1704 – July 4, 1776TheKingdom of England and theKingdom of Scotland unite to become theKingdom of Great Britain on May 1, 1707.England 's colonies become British colonies. Tuscarora War , 1711 – February 11, 1715France cedesl'Acadie Treaty of Utrecht , April 11, 1713 Yamasee War , 1715–1717Dummer's War , 1721–1725KingGeorge II of Great Britain grantsJames Oglethorpe a charter for theProvince of Georgia , April 21, 1732 War of Jenkins' Ear , 1739–1748King George's War , 1740 – October 18, 1748Spain establishesEl Presidio Reál San Ignacio de Tubac Sonora y Sinaloa Arizona ), June 2, 1752 TheKingdom of Great Britain and theBritish Empire adopt theGregorian calendar , September 14, 1752 French and Indian War , May 28, 1754 – February 10, 1763Map of the British and French settlements in North America in 1750, before theFrench and Indian War Pontiac's Rebellion , 1763–1767Royal Proclamation of 1763 , October 7, 1763War of the Regulation , 1764–1771Spain establishesEl Presidio Reál de San Diego California British troops kill five civilians inBoston on March 5, 1770Spain establishes colony ofLas Californias Dunmore's War , 1773–1774TheParliament of Great Britain passes theMassachusetts Government Act on May 20, 1774 American Revolutionary War , April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783TheProvince of New Hampshire adopts aconstitution for an independentState of New Hampshire , January 5, 1776 TheProvince of South Carolina adopts aconstitution for an independentState of South Carolina on March 15, 1776 TheColony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations declares its independence from theKingdom of Great Britain on May 4, 1776 TheColony of Connecticut declares its independence from theKingdom of Great Britain on June 18, 1776 TheColony of Virginia adopts aconstitution for an independentCommonwealth of Virginia on June 29, 1776 TheProvince of New Jersey adopts aconstitution for an independentState of New Jersey on July 2, 1776 The 13 British North American provinces ofVirginia ,Massachusetts Bay ,Maryland ,Connecticut ,Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ,New York ,New Jersey ,New Hampshire ,Pennsylvania andDelaware ,South Carolina ,North Carolina , andGeorgia united as the United States of Americadeclare their independence from theKingdom of Great Britain on July 4, 1776 TheRepublic of New Connecticut declares its independence from theKingdom of Great Britain on January 15, 1777 TheRepublic of New Connecticut changes its name toVermont on June 2, 1777 Battles of Saratoga on September 19 and October 7, 1777Battle of the Chesapeake on September 5, 1781Siege of Yorktown , September 28 – October 19, 1781Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783Spain establishesEl Presidio Reál de San Francisco de Asis Las Californias English explorerJames Cook becomes the first European to visit theHawaiian Islands which he names theSandwich Islands , January 18, 1778 TheConstitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts takes effect on October 25, 1780, changing the name of theState of Massachusetts Bay . Spain establishesEl Presidio Reál de Santa Barbara Las Californias Northwest Indian War , 1785 – August 3, 1795Shays' Rebellion , August 29, 1786 – May 25, 1787ThePhiladelphia Convention writes a newConstitution of the United States , May 25 – September 17, 1787 TheCongress of the Confederation organizes theTerritory Northwest of the River Ohio , July 13, 1787 TheState of Delaware becomes the 1st state to ratify the Constitution, December 7, 1787 TheCommonwealth of Pennsylvania becomes the 2nd state to ratify the Constitution, December 12, 1787 TheState of New Jersey becomes the 3rd state to ratify the Constitution, December 18, 1787 TheState of Georgia becomes the 4th state to ratify the Constitution, January 2, 1788 TheState of Connecticut becomes the 5th state to ratify the Constitution, January 9, 1788 TheCommonwealth of Massachusetts becomes the 6th state to ratify the Constitution, February 6, 1788 TheState of Maryland becomes the 7th state to ratify the Constitution, April 28, 1788 TheState of South Carolina becomes the 8th state to ratify the Constitution, May 23, 1788 The Constitution takes effect when theState of New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify the document, June 21, 1788 TheCommonwealth of Virginia becomes the 10th state to ratify the Constitution, June 25, 1788 TheState of New York becomes the 11th state to ratify the Constitution, July 26, 1788 A new government under the Constitution is formed on March 4, 1789 George Washington becomes the 1stpresident of the United States on April 30, 1789TheState of North Carolina becomes the 12th state to ratify the Constitution, November 21, 1789 TheState of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations becomes the 13th state to ratify the Constitution, May 29, 1790 TheVermont Republic is admitted to the Union as theState of Vermont (the 14th state) on March 4, 1791 Whiskey Rebellion , 1791–1794TheUnited States Bill of Rights , the first ten amendments to the Constitution, takes effect on December 15, 1791 The United States sells theErie Triangle to theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania , March 3, 1792 TheDistrict of Kentucky of theCommonwealth of Virginia is admitted to the Union as theCommonwealth of Kentucky (the 15th state) on June 1, 1792 TheEleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, February 7, 1795 TheTerritory South of the River Ohio is admitted to the Union as theState of Tennessee (the 16th state) on June 1, 1796 John Adams becomes the 2nd president of the United States on March 4, 1797TheTerritory of Mississippi is organized, April 7, 1798 Quasi-War , 1798–1800TheTerritory of Indiana is organized, May 7, 1800 Thomas Jefferson becomes the 3rd president of the United States on March 4, 1801First Barbary War , 1801–1805TheTerritory Northwest of the River Ohio is admitted to the Union as theState of Ohio (the 17th state) on March 1, 1803 The United States takes possession of theLouisiana Purchase , December 20, 1803 Spain creates the colony ofAlta California Las Californias Lewis and Clark Expedition , May 14, 1804 – September 23, 1806TheTwelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, June 15, 1804 Battle of Sitka , October 1804TheTerritory of Orleans is organized and theDistrict of Louisiana is created, October 1, 1804 TheTerritory of Michigan is organized, June 30, 1805 TheTerritory of Louisiana is organized, July 4, 1805 Pike Expedition , July 15, 1806 – July 1, 1807TheTerritory of Illinois is organized, March 1, 1809 James Madison becomes the 4th president of the United States on March 4, 1809Mexican War of Independence , September 16, 1810 – August 24, 1821TheRepublic of West Florida declares its independence from Spain, September 23, 1810 The United Statesunilaterally annexes theFlorida Parishes of SpanishFlorida Occidental , October 27, 1810 Tecumseh's War , 1811A tremendousearthquake strikes the region aroundNew Madrid in theTerritory of Louisiana (Missouri ), February 7, 1812 TheTerritory of Orleans is admitted to the Union as theState of Louisiana (the 18th state) on April 30, 1812 TheTerritory of Louisiana is renamed theTerritory of Missouri on June 4, 1812 War of 1812 , June 18, 1812 – March 23, 1815The United States declares war on theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on June 18, 1812 Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814Burning of Washington on August 24, 1814Battle of Plattsburgh , September 6–11, 1814Battle of Baltimore , September 12–15, 1814Treaty of Ghent signed on December 24, 1814Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815Creek War , 1813–1814First Seminole War , 1814–1819Second Barbary War , March 3, 1815 – December 23, 1816The United States declares war onAlgiers , March 3, 1815 TheTerritory of Indiana is admitted to the Union as theState of Indiana (the 19th state) on December 11, 1816 TheTerritory of Alabama is organized, March 3, 1817 James Monroe becomes the 5th president of the United States on March 4, 1817TheTerritory of Mississippi is admitted to the Union as theState of Mississippi (the 20th state) on December 10, 1817 TheTerritory of Illinois is admitted to the Union as theState of Illinois (the 21st state) on December 3, 1818. TheTerritory of Arkansaw is organized, July 4, 1819 TheTerritory of Alabama is admitted to the Union as theState of Alabama (the 22nd state) on December 14, 1819 TheDistrict of Maine of theCommonwealth of Massachusetts is admitted to the Union as theState of Maine (the 23rd state) on March 15, 1820 TheAdams–Onís Treaty establishes the boundary between the United States and theKingdom of Spain , February 22, 1821 The southeastern portion of theTerritory of Missouri is admitted to the Union as theState of Missouri (the 24th state) on August 10, 1821. The remainder of the Missouri Territory becomesunorganized . TheTerritory of Florida is organized, March 30, 1822 TheRusso-American Treaty establishes the boundary betweenRussian Alaska and theOregon Country at theparallel 54°40′ north , January 12, 1825 John Quincy Adams becomes the 6th president of the United States on March 4, 1825Winnebago War , 1827Andrew Jackson becomes the 7th president of the United States on March 4, 1829Nat Turner's slave rebellion , August 21–22, 1831Black Hawk War , 1832Second Seminole War , 1835–1842Toledo War , 1835–1836Texas Revolution , October 2, 1835 – October 2, 1836Texas-Indian Wars , May 19, 1836 – June 2, 1875TheTerritory of Arkansaw is admitted to the Union as theState of Arkansas (the 25th state) on June 15, 1836 TheTerritory of Wisconsin is organized, July 3, 1836 The United States buys thePlatte Purchase from the recently relocatedIowa ,Sac , andFox nations, September 17, 1836. The purchase includes the region east of theMissouri River , south ofSullivan Line , and west of the mouth of theKaw (Kansas) River . TheTerritory of Michigan is admitted to the Union as theState of Michigan (the 26th state) on January 26, 1837 Martin Van Buren becomes the 8th president of the United States on March 4, 1837ThePlatte Purchase is annexed to theState of Missouri , March 28, 1837 Missouri Mormon War , August 6 – November 1, 1838TheTerritory of Iowa is organized, July 4, 1838 Aroostook War , 1838–1839Honey War , 1839William Henry Harrison becomes the 9th president of the United States on March 4, 1841John Tyler becomes the 10th president of the United States upon the death ofPresident William Henry Harrison on April 4, 1841The extralegalProvisional Government of Oregon governs theOregon Country , May 2, 1843 – August 14, 1848 Illinois Mormon War , June 7, 1844 – September 17, 1846Treaty of Wanghia , July 3, 1844TheTerritory of Florida is admitted to the Union as theState of Florida (the 27th state) on March 3, 1845 James K. Polk becomes the 11th president of the United States on March 4, 1845TheRepublic of Texas is admitted to the Union as theState of Texas (the 28th state) on December 29, 1845 Mexican–American War , April 23, 1846 – February 2, 1848Biddle Expedition arrives atUraga Harbor in Japan, July 20, 1846The southeastern portion of theTerritory of Iowa is admitted to the Union as theState of Iowa (the 29th state) on December 28, 1846. The remainder of the Iowa Territory becomesunorganized . Cayuse War , November 29, 1847 – June 11, 1855The southeastern portion of theTerritory of Wisconsin is admitted to the Union as theState of Wisconsin (the 30th state) on May 29, 1848. The remainder of the Wisconsin Territory becomesunorganized . TheTerritory of Oregon is organized, August 14, 1848 TheTerritory of Minnesota is organized, March 3, 1849 The extralegalState of Deseret governs theGreat Basin region, May 3, 1849 – September 9, 1850 Zachary Taylor becomes the 12th president of the United States on March 4, 1849Millard Fillmore becomes the 13th president of the United States upon the death ofPresident Zachary Taylor on July 9, 1850TheState of California is admitted to the Union as the 31st state on September 9, 1850 TheTerritory of New Mexico and theTerritory of Utah are organized, September 9, 1850 TheTerritory of Washington is organized, February 8, 1853 Franklin Pierce becomes the 14th president of the United States on March 4, 1853Perry Expedition arrives atUraga Harbor in Japan, July 14, 1853TheTerritory of Kansas and theTerritory of Nebraska are organized, May 20, 1854 Sioux Wars , August 19, 1854 – December 29, 1890James Buchanan becomes the 15th president of the United States on March 4, 1857Utah Mormon War , May 28, 1857 – July 8, 1858The eastern portion of theTerritory of Minnesota is admitted to the Union as theState of Minnesota (the 32nd state) on May 11, 1858. The remainder of the Minnesota Territory becomesunorganized . The extralegalTerritory of Jefferson governs theSouthern Rocky Mountains region, October 24, 1859 – February 28, 1861 The western portion of theOregon Territory is admitted to the Union as theState of Oregon (the 33rd state) on February 14, 1859. The remainder of the Oregon Territory is annexed to theWashington Territory . TheState of South Carolina becomes the 1st state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860 TheState of Mississippi becomes the 2nd state to secede from the Union on January 9, 1861 TheState of Florida becomes the 3rd state to secede from the Union on January 10, 1861 TheState of Alabama becomes the 4th state to secede from the Union on January 11, 1861 TheState of Georgia becomes the 5th state to secede from the Union on January 19, 1861 TheState of Louisiana becomes the 6th state to secede from the Union on January 26, 1861 The eastern portion of theTerritory of Kansas is admitted to the Union as theState of Kansas (the 34th state) on January 29, 1861. The remainder of the Kansas territory becomesunorganized . TheState of Texas becomes the 7th state to secede from the Union on February 1, 1861 The 7 States ofSouth Carolina ,Mississippi ,Florida ,Alabama ,Georgia ,Louisiana , andTexas create theConfederate States of America on February 4, 1861 TheTerritory of Colorado is organized, February 28, 1861 TheTerritory of Nevada is organized, March 2, 1861 TheTerritory of Dakota is organized, March 2, 1861 Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th president of the United States on March 4, 1861A rump government declares itself theConfederate Territory of Arizona on March 16, 1861 American Civil War , April 12, 1861 – May 13, 1865Battle of Fort Sumter , April 12, 1861 – April 13, 1861TheCommonwealth of Virginia becomes the 8th state to secede from the Union on April 17, 1861 Union naval blockade of the Confederacy, April 19, 1861 – April 9, 1865TheState of Arkansas becomes the 9th state to secede from the Union on May 6, 1861 TheCommonwealth of Virginia becomes the 8th state admitted to the Confederacy on May 7, 1861 TheState of North Carolina becomes the 10th state to secede from the Union on May 20, 1861 TheState of Arkansas becomes the 9th state admitted to the Confederacy on May 18, 1861 TheState of North Carolina becomes the 10th state admitted to the Confederacy on May 21, 1861 TheState of Tennessee becomes the 11th state to secede from the Union on June 8, 1861 TheState of Tennessee becomes the 11th state admitted to the Confederacy on July 2, 1861 First Battle of Bull Run , July 21, 1861A rump government claiming to represent theState of Missouri declares its secession from the Union on October 31, 1861 A rump government claiming to represent theCommonwealth of Kentucky declares its secession from the Union on November 20, 1861 The rump government of theState of Missouri becomes the 12th state admitted to the Confederacy on November 28, 1861 The rump government of theCommonwealth of Kentucky becomes the 13th state admitted to the Confederacy on December 10, 1861 The rump government of theConfederate Territory of Arizona becomes the onlyConfederate Territory on February 14, 1862 Battle of Shiloh , April 6, 1862 – April 7, 1862Battle of Antietam , September 17, 1862TheTerritory of Arizona is organized, February 24, 1863 TheTerritory of Idaho is organized, March 4, 1863 Siege of Vicksburg , May 18, 1863 – July 4, 1863The northwestern region of theCommonwealth of Virginia is admitted to the Union as theState of West Virginia (the 35th state) on June 20, 1863 Battle of Gettysburg , July 1, 1863 – July 3, 1863President Lincoln issues theEmancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1863Siege of Atlanta , May 7, 1864 – September 2, 1864TheTerritory of Montana is organized, May 28, 1864 TheState of Nevada is admitted to the Union as the 36th state on October 31, 1864 Battle of Appomattox Courthouse , April 9, 1865Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln inWashington, D.C. , on April 14, 1865President Abraham Lincoln dies on April 15, 1865 Andrew Johnson becomes 17th president of the United States on April 15, 1865TheThirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, December 18, 1865 TheState of Tennessee becomes the 1st Confederate State readmitted to the Union on July 24, 1866 TheTerritory of Nebraska is admitted to the Union as theState of Nebraska (the 37th state) on March 1, 1867 President Andrew Johnson isimpeached by theUnited States House of Representatives , February 24, 1868TheState of Arkansas becomes the 2nd Confederate State readmitted to the Union on June 22, 1868 TheState of Florida becomes the 3rd Confederate State readmitted to the Union on June 25, 1868 TheState of North Carolina becomes the 4th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on July 4, 1868 TheFourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, July 9, 1868 TheState of Louisiana becomes the 5th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868 TheState of South Carolina becomes the 6th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868 TheState of Alabama becomes the 7th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on July 13, 1868 TheTerritory of Wyoming is organized, July 25, 1868 Ulysses S. Grant becomes the 18th president of the United States on March 4, 1869TheTranscontinental railroad is completed on May 10, 1869 TheCommonwealth of Virginia becomes the 8th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on January 26, 1870 TheFifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution , February 3, 1870 TheState of Mississippi becomes the 9th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on February 23, 1870 TheState of Texas becomes the 10th Confederate State readmitted to the Union on March 30, 1870 TheState of Georgia becomes the 11th and last Confederate State readmitted to the Union on July 15, 1870 The United Statesattacks Korea , June 10, 1871 – July 3, 1871 Black Hills War , March 17, 1876 – 1877The nation celebrates theCentennial of the United States of America despite news from the Little Bighorn, July 4, 1876 TheTerritory of Colorado is admitted to the Union as theState of Colorado (the 38th state) on August 1, 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes becomes the 19th president of the United States on March 4, 1877James A. Garfield becomes the 20th president of the United States on March 4, 1881Chester A. Arthur becomes the 21st president of the United States upon theassassination of President James Garfield on September 19, 1881The portion of theDakota Territory south of the42nd parallel north and west of theMissouri River is annexed to theState of Nebraska , March 28, 1882 Grover Cleveland becomes the 22nd president of the United States on March 4, 1885Benjamin Harrison becomes the 23rd president of the United States on March 4, 1889TheTerritory of Dakota is admitted to the Union as theState of North Dakota and theState of South Dakota (the 39th state and the 40th state) on November 2, 1889[ 1] TheTerritory of Montana is admitted to the Union as theState of Montana (the 41st state) on November 8, 1889 TheTerritory of Washington is admitted to the Union as theState of Washington (the 42nd state) on November 11, 1889 TheTerritory of Oklahoma is organized, May 2, 1890 TheTerritory of Idaho is admitted to the Union as theState of Idaho (the 43rd state) on July 3, 1890 TheTerritory of Wyoming is admitted to the Union as theState of Wyoming (the 44th state) on July 10, 1890 Grover Cleveland becomes the 24th (as well as the 22nd) president of the United States on March 4, 1893TheTerritory of Utah is admitted to the Union as theState of Utah (the 45th state) on January 4, 1896 William McKinley becomes the 25th president of the United States on March 4, 1897Spanish–American War , April 23 – August 12, 1898Teller Amendment blocks United States annexation ofCuba , April 20, 1898TheSpanish Empire declares war on the United States, April 23, 1898 Invasion of Guantánamo Bay , June 6, 1898 – June 10, 1898Capture of Guam , June 20, 1898 – June 21, 1898Battle of Santiago de Cuba , July 3, 1898Invasion of Puerto Rico , July 25, 1898 – August 13, 1898Protocol of Peace signed on August 12, 1898 Treaty of Paris , December 10, 1898The United States annexes thePhilippines ,Porto Rico (sic), andGuam , December 10, 1898 The United States formally occupiesCuba , January 1, 1899 – May 20, 1902 Platt Amendment promotes United Stateshegemony ofCuba , March 2, 1901TheTerritory of Hawaii is organized, July 7, 1898 Second Samoan Civil War , August 22, 1898 – November 14, 1899Philippine–American War , June 2, 1899 – June 15, 1913Philippine Declaration of Independence , June 12, 1898The Philippines declares war on the United States, June 2, 1899 Moro Rebellion , May 2, 1902 – June 15, 1913Organic Act for the Philippine Islands , July 1, 1902President Theodore Roosevelt declares the end of Philippine–American War, July 4, 1902Boxer Rebellion , November 2, 1899 – September 7, 1901Ahurricane strikesGalveston, Texas , killing approximately 8,000 people, September 8, 1900 Theodore Roosevelt becomes the 26th president of the United States upon theassassination of President William McKinley on September 14, 1901The United States recognizes the independence of theRepublic of Cuba , May 20, 1902The United States formally ends its occupation ofCuba , May 20, 1902 The United States seizes opportunity to build aship canal across theIsthmus of Panama , January 22, 1903 – August 15, 1914The United States and theRepublic of Colombia sign theHay–Herrán Treaty , January 22, 1903 TheCongress of Colombia rejects theHay–Herrán Treaty , August 12, 1903 The United States Navypatrol gunboat USS Nashville blocksColombian attempts to suppress aPanamanian separatist movement, October 26, 1903 – March 4, 1904 TheRepublic of Panama declares its independence from theRepublic of Colombia , November 3, 1903 United States Marines occupy region around proposed canal, November 4, 1903 – January 21, 1914The United States and theRepublic of Panama sign theHay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty , November 18, 1903 A tremendousearthquake strikes theSan Francisco region, April 18, 1906 The United States reoccupiesCuba , September 29, 1906 – January 28, 1909 TheTerritory of Oklahoma is admitted to the Union as theState of Oklahoma (the 46th state) on November 16, 1907 William Howard Taft becomes the 27th president of the United States on March 4, 1909TheTerritory of New Mexico is admitted to the Union as theState of New Mexico (the 47th state) on January 6, 1912 TheTerritory of Arizona is admitted to the Union as theState of Arizona (the 48th state) on February 14, 1912 TheDistrict of Alaska is reorganized as theTerritory of Alaska , August 24, 1912 TheSixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, February 3, 1913 Woodrow Wilson becomes the 28th president of the United States on March 4, 1913TheSeventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, April 8, 1913 TheUnited States occupation of Veracruz , April 21, 1914 – November 23, 1914 ThePanama Canal opens to shipping, August 15, 1914 TheUnited States occupation of Haiti , July 28, 1915 – August 11, 1934 Doroteo Arango Arámbula (Pancho Villa) ordersraid on Columbus, New Mexico , March 9, 1916General John Pershing leadsMexican Expedition , March 14, 1916 – February 7, 1917TheUnited States occupation of the Dominican Republic , May 16, 1916 – July 13, 1924 TheUnited States purchases theDanish West Indies from Denmark, January 17, 1917 World War I , June 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918The United States declares war on theGerman Reich , April 6, 1917 Armistice with Germany , November 11, 1918TheTreaty of Versailles and theCovenant of the League of Nations are signed, June 28, 1919 TheUnited States Senate rejects theTreaty of Versailles primarily because ofArticle X of the Covenant of the League of Nations , March 20, 1920 TheUnited States Congress declares end of war, July 2, 1921 Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War , May 26, 1918 – April 1, 1920TheEighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, January 29, 1919 TheNineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, August 18, 1920 Warren G. Harding becomes the 29th president of the United States on March 4, 1921Calvin Coolidge becomes the 30th president of the United States upon the death ofPresident Warren Harding on August 2, 1923Hurricane San Felipe Segundo strikes theLeeward Islands ,Puerto Rico , theBahamas , andFlorida killing more than 4,000 people, September 6, 1928 – September 20, 1928Herbert Hoover becomes the 31st president of the United States on March 4, 1929Great Depression , September 3, 1929 – September 1, 1939TheTwentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, January 23, 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the 32nd president of the United States on March 4, 1933TheEighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is repealed by theTwenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution , December 5, 1933 The United States assumes the defense ofGreenland (Kalaallit Nunaat ), April 9, 1941 – 1946 The United States assumes the defense ofIceland , July 27, 1941 – 1946 The United States andBrazil assume the defense ofSurinam , November 24, 1941 – 1946 World War II , September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945TheEmpire of Japan invades Manchuria , September 19, 1931 TheItalian Empire invades Ethiopia , October 3, 1935 TheGerman Reich invades Poland , September 1, 1939 TheEmpire of Japan attacks Pearl Harbor , December 7, 1941 The United States declares war on theEmpire of Japan , December 8, 1941 TheGerman Reich declares war on the United States, December 11, 1941 The United States declares war on theGerman Reich and theItalian Empire , December 11, 1941 Aleutian Islands Campaign , June 3, 1942 – August 15, 1943The United States declares war onBulgaria ,Hungary , andRomania , June 5, 1942 Allied Forces invade Sicily , July 9, 1943Allied Forcesinvade Italy , September 3, 1943 Italy secretly signs anarmistice with Allied Forces, September 3, 1943 Allied Forcesinvade Normandy , June 6, 1944 Japan launchesFu-Go balloon bombs into the northwestern United States, November 3, 1944 – April 15, 1945 Allied Forcesinvade Okinawa , March 18, 1945 German Instrument of Surrender signed May 7 and 8, 1945The United States tests the firstatomic bomb at theTrinity Site in New Mexico , July 16, 1945 The United States drops anatomic bomb on Hiroshima , August 6, 1945 The United States drops anatomic bomb on Nagasaki , August 9, 1945 Japanese Instrument of Surrender signed September 2, 1945Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd president of the United States upon the death ofPresident Franklin Roosevelt on April 12, 1945The United States and 50 other nations form theUnited Nations , October 24, 1945 TheLeague of Nations ceases operation, April 20, 1946 Cold War , March 5, 1946 – December 25, 1991Korean War , June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953TheTwenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, February 27, 1951 Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the 34th president of the United States on January 20, 1953TheTerritory of Alaska is admitted to the Union as theState of Alaska (the 49th state) on January 3, 1959 Vietnam War , September 26, 1959 – April 30, 1975The United States sends military advisors to theRepublic of Vietnam , February 12, 1955 The United States and theVietnam People's Army wage covert war inLaos , October 1962 – 1975 The United States beginsbombing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam , August 2, 1964 The United Statessends regular ground troops to the Republic of Vietnam , March 8, 1965 Battle of Khe Sanh , January 21 – April 8, 1968Tet Offensive , January 30 – September 23, 1968The United States covertly bombsVietnam People's Army military targets inCambodia , 1968–1970 Battle of Hamburger Hill , May 10–20, 1969The United States and theArmy of the Republic of Vietnam invade Cambodia , April 29 – July 22, 1970 Paris Peace Accords , January 27, 1973The United Statesremoves regular ground troops from the Republic of Vietnam , March 27, 1973 Fall of Saigon , April 30, 1975TheTerritory of Hawaii is admitted to the Union as theState of Hawaiʻi (the 50th state) on August 21, 1959 Cuba confiscates property of United States companies and citizens, July 5, 1960John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th president of the United States on January 20, 1961TheTwenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, March 29, 1961 Cuban exiles supported by the United Statesinvade Cuba , April 17–19, 1961United States embargo against Cuba , since February 7, 1962Cuban Missile Crisis , October 15–28, 1962Lyndon B. Johnson becomes the 36th president of the United States upon theassassination of President John Kennedy on November 22, 1963TheTwenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, January 23, 1964 A tremendousearthquake strikes the region aroundAnchorage, Alaska , onGood Friday , March 27, 1964 The United States and alliesinvade the Dominican Republic , April 28, 1965 – September 1966 TheTwenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, February 10, 1967 Richard Nixon becomes the 37th president of the United States on January 20, 1969Neil Armstrong andBuzz Aldrin are first people to walk on the Moon, July 20–21, 1969TheTwenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, July 1, 1971 Eugene Cernan andHarrison Schmitt are the lastApollo astronauts to walk on the Moon, December 11–14, 1972The United Statesairlifts military supplies toIsrael during theYom Kippur War , October 12 – November 14, 1973 Gerald Ford becomes the 38th president of the United States upon the resignation ofPresident Richard Nixon on August 9, 1974The nation celebrates theBicentennial of the United States of America , July 4, 1976 Jimmy Carter becomes the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977Iran hostage crisis , November 4, 1979 – January 20, 1981The United States transfers sovereignty of thePanama Canal Zone back to theRepublic of Panama , October 1, 1979 Mount St. Helens erupts, May 18, 1980Ronald Reagan becomes the 40th president of the United States on January 20, 1981The United States joinsMultinational Force in Lebanon , August 29, 1982 – February 26, 1984 The United Statesinvades Grenada , October 25 – December 15, 1983 The United States pursues theStrategic Defense Initiative , March 27, 1984 – May 13, 1993 Black Monday , October 19, 1987Somali Civil War , since 1988George H. W. Bush becomes the 41st president of the United States on January 20, 1989The United Statesinvades Panama , December 20, 1989 – February 13, 1990 Persian Gulf War , August 2, 1990 – February 28, 1991The United States and allies enforce ano-fly zone over Iraq north of the36th parallel north , April 7, 1991 – December 31, 1996 War in Bosnia and Herzegovina , April 1, 1992 – December 14, 1995TheTwenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution takes effect, May 5, 1992 The United States and allies enforce ano-fly zone over Iraq south of the32nd parallel north , August 27, 1992 – September 4, 1996 Bill Clinton becomes the 42nd president of the United States on January 20, 1993The United States contributes troops forUnited Nations peacekeeping inMacedonia , July 9, 1993 –[clarification needed The United States and alliesinvade Haiti , September 19, 1994 – March 31, 1995 Dot-com bubble , January 4, 1995 – March 10, 2000Kosovo War , April 22, 1996 – June 11, 1999The United States and allies enforce an expandedno-fly zone over Iraq south of the33rd parallel north , September 4, 1996 – April 30, 2003 Al-Qaeda simultaneously bombs United States embassies inDar es Salaam, Tanzania , andNairobi, Kenya , August 7, 1998. The car bombs kill 223 people and injure more than 4000.The United States and the United Kingdombomb Iraq , December 16, 1998 – December 19, 1998 TheUnited States House of Representatives impeaches President Bill Clinton , December 19, 1998 The United States transfers ownership of thePanama Canal to theRepublic of Panama , December 31, 1999 Dot-com collapse on March 10, 2000 – October 10, 2002.United States housing bubble , 2000–2006.Al-Qaeda attack on the USS Cole atAden inYemen on October 12, 2000.George W. Bush becomes the 43rd president of the United States on January 20, 2001.Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.War in Afghanistan , October 7, 2001 – August 30, 2021.The United States and alliesinvade Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. The War in Afghanistan ended with the remaining troops leaving the country on August 30, 2021. President George W. Bush declaresIran ,Iraq , andNorth Korea to be the "Axis of Evil " on January 29, 2002.Iraq War , March 20, 2003 – December 15, 2011.The United States and alliesinvade Iraq on March 20, 2003. TheIraq War is declared formally over on December 15, 2011. Hurricane Katrina strikesFlorida on August 25 andLouisiana andMississippi on August 29, 2005. Subsequent failure of drainage canals floods 80% ofNew Orleans .United States housing collapse since 2006.2008 financial crisis .Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of the United States on January 20, 2009.Tea Party movement begins in 2009.Libyan Rebellion in 2011.The United States and allies enforce no-fly zone overLibya , March 19, 2011 – October 31, 2011. Osama bin Laden , the leader ofal-Qaeda and the mastermind of theSeptember 11 attacks , is killed in Pakistan byNavy SEALs on May 2, 2011.Donald Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017.TheCOVID-19 pandemic shuts down most businesses and activities, arriving on January 13, 2020. Following the2020 United States Presidential Election , a pro-Trump mobattacks theUnited States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021.TheWar in Afghanistan ends following awithdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Donald Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States on January 20, 2025.States Federal district Insular areas Outlying islands Books on the history of the United States:
Cultural history of the United States [ edit ] Economic history of the United States [ edit ] History of education in the United States [ edit ] Geographic history of the United States [ edit ] History of health care in the United States [ edit ] Historiography of the United States [ edit ] Maritime history of the United States [ edit ] Political history of the United States [ edit ] History of science in the United States [ edit ] ^ The states ofNorth Dakota andSouth Dakota were admitted to the Union at precisely the same time. Since the names of the new states were officially published in alphabetical order, it has been customary to consider North Dakota to be the 39th state and South Dakota to be the 40th state. Adams, James Truslow, ed.Dictionary of American History (5 Vols. 1940) Kutler, Stanley I. ed.Dictionary of American History (3rd Edition 10 Volumes, 2003) Martin, Michael.Dictionary of American History (Littlefield, Adams 1989) Morris. Richard, ed.Encyclopedia of American History (7th ed. 1996) Purvis, Thomas L.A Dictionary of American History (Blackwell 1997) Schlesinger, Arthur M., Jr.The Almanac of American History (2nd ed. 1993) Thompson, Peter, and Chris Cook.Dictionary of American History: From 1763 to the Present (Facts on File, 2000)
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