Key Events in U.S. History (1882-1945)

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 law prohibiting Chinese immigration to U.S.

Standard Time Established

1883 system for time zones across U.S.

Haymarket Riot

1886 labor protest in Chicago, violence ensued.

Dawes Act

1887 law aimed at assimilating Native Americans.

Interstate Commerce Act

1887 law regulating railroad rates and practices.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

1890 law prohibiting monopolistic business practices.

Battle of Wounded Knee

1890 massacre of Lakota Sioux by U.S. troops.

Populists Run for President

1892 election campaign by the Populist Party.

Homestead Steel Strike

1892 labor strike against Carnegie Steel Company.

Panic of 1893

Severe economic depression beginning in 1893.

Coxey's Army

1894 protest march for unemployment relief.

William McKinley Elected President

1896 election victory for Republican McKinley.

USS Maine Explodes

1898 incident leading to Spanish-American War.

Open Door Policy

1900 U.S. policy for equal trade with China.

Platt Amendment

1901 legislation limiting Cuban sovereignty.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty

1903 agreement allowing Panama Canal construction.

Roosevelt Corollary

1904 extension of Monroe Doctrine for intervention.

Niagara Movement Founded

1905 civil rights organization advocating for African Americans.

The Jungle Published

1906 novel exposing meatpacking industry conditions.

NAACP Founded

1909 organization promoting civil rights for African Americans.

16th Amendment

1913 constitutional amendment allowing income tax.

17th Amendment

1913 constitutional amendment for direct Senate elections.

World War I Begins

1914 global conflict involving multiple nations.

Zimmerman Telegram

1917 secret German message prompting U.S. entry into WWI.

Sedition Act

1918 law restricting anti-war speech and actions.

Volstead Act

1919 law enforcing the 18th Amendment on alcohol.

19th Amendment

1920 constitutional amendment granting women the vote.

Emergency Quota Act

1921 law limiting immigration based on nationality.

Scopes Monkey Trial

1925 trial challenging teaching evolution in schools.

Stock Market Crashes

1929 financial collapse leading to Great Depression.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

1930 tariff raising import duties, worsening depression.

Bonus March

1932 protest by WWI veterans for bonuses.

Tennessee Valley Authority

1933 New Deal program for regional development.

Social Security Act

1935 law providing financial assistance for elderly.

Lend Lease Program

1941 U.S. aid to allies during WWII.

Pearl Harbor Bombing

1941 surprise attack leading to U.S. entry into WWII.

Japanese Internment

1942 forced relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII.

United Nations Founded

1945 international organization promoting peace and cooperation.