1st Semester - Essential Dates & Constitutional Amendments

1776

Declaration of Independence written and signed

1787

US Constitution ratified

1861-1865

US Civil War

1877

End of Reconstruction of US after the Civil War

1892-1924

Ellis Island is arrival center for unlimited immigration

1896

US Supreme Court ruling on Plessy v. Ferguson affirms separate but equal facilities for black and white citizens.

1898

Spanish American War

1917-1918

US military involvement in World War I

1920

19th Amendment guaranteed all women the right to vote

1929-1941

Great Depression

13th Amendment

Abolished Slavery

14th Amendment

citizenship and equal protection under the law - In other words, this Amendment (1) explains a person can become a U.S. citizenship birth or naturalization (2) states that no person can be denied life, liberty, or property without "due process" - fair legal trial (3) protects all persons equally under the same laws. This Amendment is frequently cited and analyzed during civil rights court cases.

15th Amendment

Gave all men over the age of 21, regardless of their race, the right to vote

16th Amendment

Created a graduated income tax, which gave the Government the power to tax incomes

17th Amendment

Gave people the ability to directly elect their state senators

18th Amendment

outlawed the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. This was known as "Prohibition."

19th Amendment

Gave all women over the age of 21 the right to vote

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition)