American History Timeline by Katelyn Kishore _ Student - GreenLevelHS

Columbus “Discovers” the New World (1492)

kkishore2 — 2025-08-27 17:02:58 UTC

In 1492, Christopher Columbus, embarked on his first voyage across the Atlantic in search of a western route to Asia. Instead, he reached the island in the Caribbean. His arrival is the spark of collimation and cultural exchange also known as the Columbian Exchange.

Conquest of Tenochtitlan (1519–1521)

kkishore2 — 2025-08-27 17:10:02 UTC

The conquest was led by conquistador Hernan Cortes, allied with the Ingenious group, to overthrow the Aztec empire. After two years, the Spanish captured the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, in 1521. The conquest marked the collapse of one of the most powerful civilizations in the Americas and the foundation of the Spanish Empire.

Roanoke Settlement (1585–1590)

kkishore2 — 2025-08-27 17:14:20 UTC

This was often called the "Lost Colony," established in North Carolina. This was an early England attempt to establish a permanent colony in North America, However by 1590, when resupplying ships arrived, the colony mysteriously vanished leaving behind only the word “CROATOAN” carved into a tree.

King Philip’s War (1675–1676)

kkishore2 — 2025-08-29 02:20:31 UTC

There was a conflict in New England between English colonists and Native American tribes led by Metacom, also known as "King Philip." The Native Americans' independence and land disputes created tensions with English settlements. The violence with many villages destroyed, people killed, and Natives were enslaved. The colonists won in the end, and the war marked the end of Native resistance.

Bacon’s Rebellion (1676)

kkishore2 — 2025-08-29 02:24:40 UTC

An armed rebellion against rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon against Virginia Governor Sir William Berkeley's administration. Poor farmers and serfs were frustrated by high taxes and a lack of land. Berkeley refused to protect frontier settlers from Native American attacks, making Bacon join the rebellion. They burned Jamestown, and the rebellions soon ended after Bacon died from illness, but it effect created tension between rich planters and poor settlers. In the end, the rebellion led Virginia's leader to rely more on enalved Africans instead of indentured servants, which reshaped labor.

French and Indian War (1754–1763)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:29:44 UTC

This was a war between Britain and France in North America. In the end, Britain won, but was left with a lot of debt, so it started taxing the colonies.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:29:49 UTC

Colonists were angry about the unfair taxes on tea and decided to dump tea into the Boston Harbor as a protest.

First Continental Congress (1774)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:30:04 UTC

Colonial leaders all met to discuss how to deal with British laws and taxes. They organized and planned boycotts and rights.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:30:13 UTC

The colonies officially declared independence from Britain and built a new goverment.

Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:30:33 UTC

Farmers in Massachusetts were angry about the high taxes and debts, which led to rebellion. This showed that the Articles of Confederation were weak.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:30:48 UTC

All the leaders met in Philadelphia and created the US Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Washington's Farewell Address (1796)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-10 23:31:00 UTC

George Washington left the presidency and warned about political parties and foreign alliances.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-27 23:04:06 UTC

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the United States by purchasing 828,000 square miles of land from France for $15 million.

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-27 23:05:04 UTC

The War of 1812 was fought between the U.S. and Britain because of trade restrictions, impressment of sailors, and expansion disputes. In 1815, with the Treaty of Ghent, the restored boundaries were established.

White House Burned 1814 (during the War of 1812)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-27 23:05:59 UTC

The British troops attacked and set the building and other government structures in Washington, D.C., on fire during the War of 1812.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-27 23:06:40 UTC

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was a legislative agreement that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. While other territories in the north within the Louisiana Territory were prohibited from having slavery.

Market Revolution (early 1800s-mid-1800s)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-27 23:07:36 UTC

This was an economic shift in the US due to new transportation, communication, and industrialization. It also connected regional markets, which helped farming and manufacturing.

Seneca Falls Convention (1848)

kkishore2 — 2025-09-27 23:08:11 UTC

This was the first women's rights convention in the U.S., led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. It led to the Declaration of Sentiments for equal rights and the right to vote.

Mexican American War (1846 - 1848)

kkishore2 — 2025-10-20 15:11:57 UTC

The United States defeated Mexico and gained large territories, such as the southwest of the United States. This started a debate over slavery in new lands.

Dred Scott Decision (1857)

kkishore2 — 2025-10-20 15:15:58 UTC

The Supreme Court ruled that enslaved people were property and not considered citizens. Congress couldn't ban slaver,y and this made the North frustrated.

Emancipation Proclamation (1863)

kkishore2 — 2025-10-20 15:17:10 UTC

President Lincoln declared that all enslaved people in Confederate territories were held in free territories.

Appomattox Court (April 9, 1865)

kkishore2 — 2025-10-20 15:21:42 UTC

Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, and this ended the Civil War.

Lincoln Assassinated (April 14, 1865)

kkishore2 — 2025-10-20 15:23:23 UTC

President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth days after the war ended.

Reconstruction (1865-1877)

kkishore2 — 2025-10-20 15:24:51 UTC

After the Civil War, they focused on rebuilding the South and integrating freed African Americans into society.

Haymarket Riot (1886)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-01 17:25:11 UTC

This was a labor protest in Chicago that turned violent when a bomb exploded. This symbolized labor tensions during industrialization.

Homestead Strike (1892)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-01 17:26:39 UTC

Violent labor strikes at Carnegie Steel in Pennsylvania. This ended with the defeat of the steelworker union.

Pullman Strike (1894)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-01 17:28:45 UTC

Nationwide railroad strikes, which were led by Eugene V. Debs after wages were cut at the Pullman Company. This led to federal troops being sent to stop it.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-01 17:30:33 UTC

This was a Supreme Court case that legalized racial segregation under the separate but equal doctrine.

The Jungle is written (1906)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-01 17:32:00 UTC

Upton Sinclair's book exposed unsanitary conditions in meatpacking, which later led to the federal food and drug reforms.

USS Maine Destroyed (1898)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:26:52 UTC

The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor while protecting Americans during the Cuban rebellion against Spain. Spain was blamed, and this led to the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War (1898)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:28:09 UTC

The U.S. fought Spain and Won. They gained territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, which were considered the beginning of American imperial expansion.

Boxer Rebellion (1900)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:30:27 UTC

The Chinese nationalists tried to get rid of foreign influences, and the U.S. helped send troops to end the uprising, showing that American involvement.

Sinking of the Lusitania (1915)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:31:28 UTC

A German submarine sank the Lusitania, which killed many Americans and increased pressure for the U.S. to join World War 1.

World War I (1914–1918) (U.S. in 1917)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:32:55 UTC

This war was a global conflict. When the U.S. joined in 1917, American troops helped bring the war to an end.

Roaring 20s (1920-1929)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:34:07 UTC

This era brought economic growth, a new culture, and social changes. But it also brought economic weaknesses.

Great Depression (1929–1941)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:35:40 UTC

After the stock market crashed in 1929, the U.S. was under a long economic crisis where therwase mass unemployment and widespread hardships.

New Deal (1933–1939)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:36:57 UTC

FDR's New Deal was to create programs to provide jobs, stabilize the economy, a nd reform the financial system to prevent any future crises.

World War II (1939–1945) (U.S. in 1941)

kkishore2 — 2025-11-29 18:38:06 UTC

After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the US. Entered WWII and played a role in defeating both Germany and Japan.

Murder of Emmett Till (1955)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:48:50 UTC

A black teenager was murdered in Mississippi, and his death helped the Civil Rights Movement.

Greensboro Sit-Ins (1960)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:52:35 UTC

Black college students protested segregation at a lunch counter in North Carolina.

March on Washington (1963)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:53:25 UTC

There was a large civil rights protest where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Assassination of JFK (1963)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:54:16 UTC

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Texas.

Assassination of MLK Jr. (1968)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:55:16 UTC

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Tennessee.

Civil Rights Act of 1968

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:56:25 UTC

A law was passed to end housing discrimination and protect civil rights.

US Withdraws from Vietnam (1973)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:57:15 UTC

The United States ended its military involvement in the Vietnam War.

Watergate Scandal (1972–1974)

kkishore2 — 2025-12-16 02:58:10 UTC

A political scandal that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation.

Iran-Contra Affair (1980s)

kkishore2 — 2026-01-12 23:00:23 UTC

A political scandal during Reagan's presidency, where US officials secretly sold weapons to Iran and then illegally used the money to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua.

NAFTA (1993)

kkishore2 — 2026-01-12 23:01:48 UTC

The North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Eliminated many trade barriers and created a larger free trade zone in the world.

Clinton Impeachment (1998-1999)

kkishore2 — 2026-01-12 23:03:11 UTC

President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice in this affair with Monica Lewinsky. He was later acquitted by the Senate and remained in office.

Bus v. Gore (2000)

kkishore2 — 2026-01-12 23:05:21 UTC

A Supreme Court case that decided the outcome of the 2000 presidential election. The Court stopped to recount in Florida had the effect as it gave the win to Bush.

War on Terror(2001-Present)

kkishore2 — 2026-01-12 23:06:41 UTC

A global military campaign launched by the US after the 9/11 attacks to fight terrorism and mainly targeting the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

The Patriot Act (2001)

kkishore2 — 2026-01-12 23:07:47 UTC

A law passed after 9/11 that expanded the US government's power to investigate terrorism, which included surveillance and monitoring of financial records.