The Founding Era (1776 & Before)
This document, adopted on July 4, 1776, formally declared the colonies' separation from Britain.
The Declaration of Independence
General George Washington's famous crossing of this river on December 25, 1776 led to a surprise victory at the Battle of Trenton.
The Delaware River
The U.S. Constitution was ratified in this year, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it, making it the law of the land.
1788 (the government began operating in 1789)
This national monument, a gift from France, was dedicated in New York Harbor in 1886.
The Statue of Liberty
The United States entered World War II after Japan's surprise attack on this Hawaiian naval base on December 7, 1941.
Pearl Harbor
This Founding Father is credited as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson
This 1777 American victory, considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War, convinced France to formally ally with the colonies.
The Battle of Saratoga
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known by this name.
The Bill of Rights
The American flag's 13 stripes represent these.
The original 13 colonies
This American astronaut became the first human to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Neil Armstrong
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by this legislative body representing the thirteen colonies.
The Second Continental Congress
The Revolutionary War officially ended with this 1783 agreement signed in Paris.
The Treaty of Paris
George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in this city, at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789.
New York City
Francis Scott Key wrote this poem in September 1814 after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It became the official U.S. national anthem in this later year when Congress passed a joint resolution.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" — written 1814, became national anthem in 1931
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by this U.S. president.
Lyndon B. Johnson
This 1775 battle, the first major engagement of the Revolutionary War, was a costly British victory — but proved colonial militias could stand up to professional soldiers. Most fighting actually took place on an adjacent hill, not the one the battle is named after.
The Battle of Bunker Hill (fought mainly on Breed's Hill)
This Prussian officer arrived at Valley Forge in 1778 and transformed the Continental Army through rigorous military training.
Baron Friedrich von Steuben
This 1803 land deal, negotiated under President Jefferson, roughly doubled the size of the United States.
The Louisiana Purchase
Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, this monument features the faces of four U.S. presidents.
Mount Rushmore
This 2001 event led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the beginning of the War on Terror.
The September 11 terrorist attacks
This phrase from the Declaration asserts that all men possess "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" as inherent rights — borrowed and adapted from this philosopher's concept of natural rights.
John Locke
The final major battle of the Revolutionary War, in 1781, ended with the British surrender of this general at Yorktown, Virginia.
General Charles Cornwallis
Written in 1787–1788 to advocate for ratification of the Constitution, these 85 essays were authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under this collective pseudonym.
The Federalist Papers (written as "Publius")
On July 4, 1826 — the 50th anniversary of independence — two Founding Fathers and former presidents died on the same day. Name both.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
In 2008, this senator from Illinois made history by becoming the first African American elected President of the United States.
Barack Obama