The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted.
DetailsNeil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon.
DetailsThe United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
DetailsAbraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address.
DetailsThe Wright brothers made the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft.
DetailsMagna Carta Signed (Global but often noted nationally)
DetailsMagna Carta Signed (Global but often noted nationally)
DetailsThe last Muslim stronghold in Spain, Granada, fell to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, completing the Reconquista and effectively ending Islamic rule in Iberia
DetailsThe last Muslim stronghold in Spain, Granada, fell to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, completing the Reconquista and effectively ending Islamic rule in Iberia
DetailsColumbus Arrives in the Americas (Anniversary)
DetailsColumbus Departs Spain for New World
DetailsColumbus First Reaches Caribbean Islands (Anniversary)
DetailsColumbus Returns to Spain from First Voyage (Anniversary)
DetailsColumbus Arrives in the Americas (Anniversary)
DetailsColumbus Departs Spain for New World
DetailsColumbus First Reaches Caribbean Islands (Anniversary)
DetailsColumbus Returns to Spain from First Voyage (Anniversary)
DetailsLaunches centuries of Spanish claims and settlement attempts.
DetailsLaunches centuries of Spanish claims and settlement attempts.
DetailsThe first recorded European landing on the U.S. mainland.
DetailsThe first recorded European landing on the U.S. mainland.
DetailsMartin Luther Posts 95 Theses (Anniversary)
DetailsMartin Luther Posts 95 Theses (Anniversary)
DetailsIvan IV Vasilyevich (Ivan the Terrible) was crowned the first Tsar of Russia in Moscow
DetailsIvan IV Vasilyevich (Ivan the Terrible) was crowned the first Tsar of Russia in Moscow
DetailsMary Stuart, former queen of France and of Scotland (and cousin to Queen Elizabeth I of England), was beheaded for treason at Fotheringhay Castle, England
DetailsMary Stuart, former queen of France and of Scotland (and cousin to Queen Elizabeth I of England), was beheaded for treason at Fotheringhay Castle, England
DetailsUnites the English and Scottish crowns—political aftershocks echo for centuries.
DetailsUnites the English and Scottish crowns—political aftershocks echo for centuries.
DetailsGunpowder Plot Foiled in England (Guy Fawkes Day)
DetailsGunpowder Plot Foiled in England (Guy Fawkes Day)
DetailsItalian astronomer Galileo Galilei observed three of Jupiter’s four largest moons (later called the Galilean moons) through his telescope
DetailsItalian astronomer Galileo Galilei observed three of Jupiter’s four largest moons (later called the Galilean moons) through his telescope
DetailsIn Virginia, a union that brings temporary peace between Powhatan tribes and English settlers.
DetailsIn Virginia, a union that brings temporary peace between Powhatan tribes and English settlers.
DetailsThe Catholic Church formally declared Nicolaus Copernicus’s heliocentric idea (that the Earth orbits the Sun) “false and contrary to Scripture” and banned his book De revolutionibus pending corr...
DetailsThe Catholic Church formally declared Nicolaus Copernicus’s heliocentric idea (that the Earth orbits the Sun) “false and contrary to Scripture” and banned his book De revolutionibus pending corr...
DetailsPilgrims Arrive at Plymouth Rock (Anniversary)
DetailsPilgrims Arrive at Plymouth Rock (Anniversary)
DetailsItalian astronomer Galileo Galilei, having been summoned by the Inquisition, reached Rome to face charges of heresy for his support of the heliocentric theory that Earth orbits the Sun
DetailsItalian astronomer Galileo Galilei, having been summoned by the Inquisition, reached Rome to face charges of heresy for his support of the heliocentric theory that Earth orbits the Sun
DetailsGalileo Recants Before the Inquisition
DetailsGalileo Recants Before the Inquisition
DetailsKing Charles I of England was tried for treason by Parliament and beheaded in London
DetailsKing Charles I of England was tried for treason by Parliament and beheaded in London
DetailsGreat Fire of London Devastates City
DetailsGreat Fire of London Devastates City
DetailsAuthorities in Salem, Massachusetts interrogated Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba on suspicion of witchcraft, launching the infamous Salem witch trials
DetailsAuthorities in Salem, Massachusetts interrogated Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba on suspicion of witchcraft, launching the infamous Salem witch trials
DetailsAmerican founding father Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston. A polymath — printer, author, scientist, inventor, diplomat — Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence, secured French a...
DetailsAmerican founding father Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston. A polymath — printer, author, scientist, inventor, diplomat — Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence, secured French a...
DetailsGeorge Washington, the first President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, was born in Virginia on this date (Feb. 11, 1731 Old Style; Feb. 22, 1732 New Style)
DetailsGeorge Washington, the first President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, was born in Virginia on this date (Feb. 11, 1731 Old Style; Feb. 22, 1732 New Style)
DetailsFranklin’s kite experiment traditionally dated to June 10.
DetailsFranklin’s kite experiment traditionally dated to June 10.
DetailsFrench and Indian War: British Troops Take Fort Oswego
DetailsFrench and Indian War: British Troops Take Fort Oswego
DetailsThe Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War in North America) formally ended with the Treaty of Paris signed on Feb. 10, 1763
DetailsThe Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War in North America) formally ended with the Treaty of Paris signed on Feb. 10, 1763
DetailsBritain’s first direct tax on American colonists triggers boycotts and lays kindling for the Revolution.
DetailsBritain’s first direct tax on American colonists triggers boycotts and lays kindling for the Revolution.
DetailsThe Moravian community began building the town of Salem (now part of Winston-Salem) on January 6, 1766, after selecting the site in 1765. The first tree was felled that day, marking the establishment ...
DetailsThe Moravian community began building the town of Salem (now part of Winston-Salem) on January 6, 1766, after selecting the site in 1765. The first tree was felled that day, marking the establishment ...
DetailsThe Stamp Act of 1765 had imposed the first direct tax on the American colonies (on printed papers, legal documents, etc.), provoking vehement opposition from colonists who cried “no taxation withou...
DetailsThe Stamp Act of 1765 had imposed the first direct tax on the American colonies (on printed papers, legal documents, etc.), provoking vehement opposition from colonists who cried “no taxation withou...
DetailsOn the night of March 5, 1770, British soldiers opened fire on a hostile crowd of colonists outside the Customs House, killing five men. The incident (widely publicized by Paul Revere and Sam Adams) i...
DetailsOn the night of March 5, 1770, British soldiers opened fire on a hostile crowd of colonists outside the Customs House, killing five men. The incident (widely publicized by Paul Revere and Sam Adams) i...
DetailsJohn’s Church, Richmond, VA—an iconic moment in Virginia (and American) revolutionary lore.
DetailsJohn’s Church, Richmond, VA—an iconic moment in Virginia (and American) revolutionary lore.
DetailsThe influential pamphlet Common Sense was published anonymously in Philadelphia. Paine’s work powerfully argued for American independence from Britain and republican self-government, galvanizing col...
DetailsThe influential pamphlet Common Sense was published anonymously in Philadelphia. Paine’s work powerfully argued for American independence from Britain and republican self-government, galvanizing col...
DetailsContinental Congress Forms Draft Committee
DetailsDeclaration of Independence Approved by Continental Congress (formal adoption on July 4)
DetailsGeorge Washington Crosses the Delaware
DetailsNew York Evacuated by British During Revolutionary War
DetailsPatrick Henry Becomes First Governor of Virginia
DetailsContinental Congress Forms Draft Committee
DetailsDeclaration of Independence Approved by Continental Congress (formal adoption on July 4)
DetailsGeorge Washington Crosses the Delaware
DetailsNew York Evacuated by British During Revolutionary War
DetailsPatrick Henry Becomes First Governor of Virginia
DetailsGeneral George Washington’s Continental Army defeated British forces at Princeton, New Jersey, boosting American morale during the Revolutionary War. Coming on the heels of the victory at Trenton, i...
DetailsGeneral George Washington’s Continental Army defeated British forces at Princeton, New Jersey, boosting American morale during the Revolutionary War. Coming on the heels of the victory at Trenton, i...
DetailsBritish explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to discover the Hawaiian Islands (which he named the Sandwich Islands)
DetailsBritish explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to discover the Hawaiian Islands (which he named the Sandwich Islands)
DetailsThe Articles of Confederation, America’s first constitutional framework, took effect after Maryland became the final state to ratify them
DetailsThe Articles of Confederation, America’s first constitutional framework, took effect after Maryland became the final state to ratify them
DetailsScanning the night sky from Bath, England, Herschel observed a new object beyond Saturn that he first thought was a comet. It turned out to be the seventh planet – the first planet discovered with a...
DetailsScanning the night sky from Bath, England, Herschel observed a new object beyond Saturn that he first thought was a comet. It turned out to be the seventh planet – the first planet discovered with a...
DetailsOn March 15, 1781, General Nathanael Greene’s American forces clashed with General Cornwallis’s British army near Greensboro
DetailsOn March 15, 1781, General Nathanael Greene’s American forces clashed with General Cornwallis’s British army near Greensboro
DetailsGreat Seal of the United States Adopted
DetailsGreat Seal of the United States Adopted
DetailsTreaty of Paris Signed, Ending Revolutionary War
DetailsTreaty of Paris Signed, Ending Revolutionary War
DetailsThe U.S. Congress of the Confederation ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the American Revolutionary War
DetailsThe U.S. Congress of the Confederation ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the American Revolutionary War
DetailsCaptain Arthur Phillip and British colonists, including convicts, arrived at Sydney Cove, establishing the colony of New South Wales
DetailsCaptain Arthur Phillip and British colonists, including convicts, arrived at Sydney Cove, establishing the colony of New South Wales
DetailsConstitution went into effect as the first federal Congress convened in New York City on March 4, 1789 (the date set by the Constitution for the start of the new government)
DetailsConstitution went into effect as the first federal Congress convened in New York City on March 4, 1789 (the date set by the Constitution for the start of the new government)
DetailsFirst presidential veto in U.S. history.
DetailsFirst presidential veto in U.S. history.
DetailsFoundation of the Metric System Adopted by France
DetailsFoundation of the Metric System Adopted by France
DetailsDuring the French Revolution, King Louis XVI was guillotined in Paris for treason
DetailsDuring the French Revolution, King Louis XVI was guillotined in Paris for treason
DetailsMarie Antoinette Executed in France (Anniversary Reflection)
DetailsMarie Antoinette Executed in France (Anniversary Reflection)
DetailsA tie in the Electoral College sent the U.S. presidential election of 1800 to the House of Representatives, which on the 36th ballot (Feb. 17, 1801) elected Thomas Jefferson as President over Aaron Bu...
DetailsA tie in the Electoral College sent the U.S. presidential election of 1800 to the House of Representatives, which on the 36th ballot (Feb. 17, 1801) elected Thomas Jefferson as President over Aaron Bu...
DetailsOn March 16, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation founding West Point in New York as a national military academy
DetailsOn March 16, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation founding West Point in New York as a national military academy
DetailsThe Corps of Discovery turns back from the Pacific, carrying maps and knowledge that will reshape the continent.
DetailsThe Corps of Discovery turns back from the Pacific, carrying maps and knowledge that will reshape the continent.
DetailsFamed Patrick Henry estate settlement influences boundaries in modern Henry County.
DetailsFamed Patrick Henry estate settlement influences boundaries in modern Henry County.
DetailsBeethoven Premieres Fifth and Sixth Symphonies
DetailsBeethoven Premieres Fifth and Sixth Symphonies
DetailsLouis Braille, the French inventor of the Braille reading system for the blind, was born. His development of a raised-dot alphabet (published in 1829) revolutionized education and literacy for visuall...
DetailsLouis Braille, the French inventor of the Braille reading system for the blind, was born. His development of a raised-dot alphabet (published in 1829) revolutionized education and literacy for visuall...
DetailsAmerican poet and author Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston. Poe’s works, including The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart, pioneered the mystery and horror genres and greatly influenced literature world...
DetailsAmerican poet and author Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston. Poe’s works, including The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart, pioneered the mystery and horror genres and greatly influenced literature world...
DetailsAbraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in a Kentucky log cabin
DetailsAbraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in a Kentucky log cabin
DetailsThe last of a series of massive earthquakes struck the New Madrid region near the Mississippi River (then mostly frontier). The Feb. 7, 1812 quake, estimated around magnitude 7.5, caused the Mississip...
DetailsThe last of a series of massive earthquakes struck the New Madrid region near the Mississippi River (then mostly frontier). The Feb. 7, 1812 quake, estimated around magnitude 7.5, caused the Mississip...
DetailsTreaty of Ghent Ends the War of 1812
DetailsTreaty of Ghent Ends the War of 1812
DetailsIn the final major battle of the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson’s outnumbered American forces achieved a decisive victory over the British at New Orleans
DetailsIn the final major battle of the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson’s outnumbered American forces achieved a decisive victory over the British at New Orleans
DetailsBrazil Declares Independence from Portugal
DetailsBrazil Declares Independence from Portugal
DetailsIn a contingent election held by the U.S. House of Representatives (after no candidate won an Electoral College majority in 1824), John Quincy Adams was chosen as the 6th President over Andrew Jackson
DetailsIn a contingent election held by the U.S. House of Representatives (after no candidate won an Electoral College majority in 1824), John Quincy Adams was chosen as the 6th President over Andrew Jackson
DetailsErie Canal Opens, Linking Hudson River to Great Lakes
DetailsErie Canal Opens, Linking Hudson River to Great Lakes
DetailsDeaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
DetailsDeaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
DetailsGuilford College Community Founded (New Garden Friends School)
DetailsGuilford College Community Founded (New Garden Friends School)
DetailsMexican troops under General Santa Anna began a siege of the Alamo mission in San Antonio, Texas, where about 200 Texan (Texian) rebels, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, held out
DetailsMexican troops under General Santa Anna began a siege of the Alamo mission in San Antonio, Texas, where about 200 Texan (Texian) rebels, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, held out
DetailsDuring the Texas Revolution, delegates meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos issued the Texas Declaration of Independence, formally declaring Texas a republic free from Mexican rule
DetailsDelegates at Washington-on-the-Brazos signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the Republic of Texas independent from Mexican rule
DetailsDuring the Texas Revolution, delegates meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos issued the Texas Declaration of Independence, formally declaring Texas a republic free from Mexican rule
DetailsDelegates at Washington-on-the-Brazos signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the Republic of Texas independent from Mexican rule
DetailsIn the early hours of March 6, 1836, after a 13-day siege, Mexican General Santa Anna’s forces stormed the Alamo mission in San Antonio
DetailsIn the early hours of March 6, 1836, after a 13-day siege, Mexican General Santa Anna’s forces stormed the Alamo mission in San Antonio
DetailsTexas Revolution: Battle of San Jacinto
DetailsTexas Revolution: Battle of San Jacinto
DetailsMichigan was admitted as the 26th state of the United States
DetailsMichigan was admitted as the 26th state of the United States
Details