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First transcontinental railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad was the first continuous railroad line across the United States, uniting the existing eastern and western rail networks. The rail line, also known as the Great Transcontinental Railroad and later the "Overland Route," was primarily built by the Central Pacific Railroad Company of California and Union Pacific on public lands provided by extensive US land grants. This monumental project connected the nation physically and symbolized the unity of the United States. -
Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders
Following the surrender of Richmond, the Confederate capital, on April 2, 1865, Confederate dignitaries fled, including President Jefferson Davis. The dominoes started to fall. It was a momentous occasion as Gen. Robert E. Lee, a figure of great significance, surrendered only his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. As things took time to get around other armies, a formal surrender needed to happen before things could officially be considered the end. -
New Orleans Massacre
The New Orleans massacre was an unprovoked act of violence against recently emancipated African Americans. A mob of white males, in a brutal display of power, murdered 35 Black people and injured over 100 others who had assembled peacefully, with no intent of harm, to support a political meeting at the New Orleans Mechanics Institute. This tragic event helped focus public opinion in the North on the importance of implementing stricter steps to oversee Reconstruction. -
The Alaska Purchase
The Alaska Purchase was the United States acquisition of 586,412 square miles of land from Russia near the northern extremity of the North American continent. Russia had offered to sell its North American territory to the United States multiple times. Still, negotiations were postponed due to the onset of the American Civil War and were often overlooked, except for the expansion west. The Alaska Purchase, while coming with its tremendous benefits, also presented significant challenges. -
The 14th Amendment is ratified
After the Civil War, Congress proposed three amendments to the states as part of its Reconstruction program aimed at ensuring equal civil and legal rights for Black individuals. The 14th Amendment included an important provision that granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States," thereby extending citizenship to those who After the Civil War, Congress proposed three amendments to the states as part of its Reconstruction program. -
Hiram Rhodes
During Reconstruction, Hiram Rhodes Revels, an American politician, educator, and priest, achieved a significant milestone when he was elected as the first African American to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. A member of the Republican Party, Revels faced immense challenges and racial tensions. However, he remained steadfast in his commitment to desegregation, promoting it on the railroads and in schools during his tenure. -
The Ku Klux Klan Act
Frustrated by the federal government's inability to put an end to the Ku Klux Klan's white nationalist terrorism, Congress passed the Ku Klux Klan Act. The law exercised nearly all of Congress's constitutional powers to implement a comprehensive and thorough response to the Klan's coordinated political violence and intimidation. This measure authorized the president to deploy troops to enforce the 14th Amendment. Southerners saw This as a direct attack and would be fought heavily. -
Panic of 1873
The panic of 1873 was an unprecedented financial crisis that triggered a global economic collapse. It began in Europe when the stock market plummeted, prompting investors to abandon their American investments, particularly railroads. This caused numerous railroads to go bankrupt, eventually leading to the downfall of Jay Cooke Company, a prominent New York City bank. The panic extended to banks nationwide, and at least 100 failed, highlighting the gravity of the situation. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act, in addition to outlawing racial discrimination in public settings, also upheld the principle of 'equality of all men before the law. ' It made it illegal for anyone to aid in denying accommodations or services based on race or color. However, the US Supreme Court later overturned this significant legislation in 1883. -
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Alexander Graham Bells creation
Alexander Graham Bell, a Scottish-born American inventor, scientist, and deaf instructor, first created intelligible speech when he summoned his laboratory helper, Thomas A. Watson, using words Bell wrote in his lab notes, such as "Mr. Watson, come here I want to see you." Bell spent the next few months refining his instrument to make it fit for public display. There were such things as telegrams, but nothing was close to this.