America in 1860-1920

Timeline created by ckoester in History
Event Date: Event Title: Event Description:
Homesteading family The Homestead Act In early 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act, offering 160 acres of land free to any citizen or intended citizen who was head of the household.
Typewriter The Typewriter Christopher Sholes invents the typewriter and changes the world of work.
20051027 boss tweed William "Boss" Tweed Boss Tweed is convicted of Tammany Hall's graft and is sentenced to 12 years in jail.
The first telephone Telephone Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson unveiled the first telephone in 1876. It opened the way for a worldwide communications network.
Lightbulb The Light Bulb In 1876, Thomas Alva Edison established the first research laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. There Edison perfected the first incandescent light bulb.
General custer 300 General Custer's Last Stand General Custer and the entire flight of soldiers of the 7th infantry are defeated by the Sioux Indians at Little Bighorn.
Bessemersteelproduction Bessemer Process The Bessemer Process was invented to produce almost ninety percent of the nation's steel.
Booker Booker T. Washington Booker T. Washington heads the Tuskegee Normal and Industial Institute, aimed to equip African Americans with teaching diplomas and useful skills in agricultural, domestic, or mechanical work.
Dawes act The Dawes Act In 1887, Congress passed the Dawes Act aiming to "Americanize" the Native Americans, the act broke up the reservations and gave individual land to the Native Americans.
Doc 049 small Interstate Commerce Act Congress establishes the right of the federal government to supervise railroad activities and establish a five-member Interstate Commerce Commision for that purpose.
042508 chapter5 200 Sherman Antitrust Act The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 made it illegal to form a trust that interfered with free trade between states or with other countries.
Jimcrowwater Plessy vs. Ferguson In 1892, Homer Plessy took a seat in the "Whites only seat." He was arrested, tried, and convicted in the District Court of New Orleans for breaking Louisiana's segregation law. Plessy appealed, and the Supreme Court ruled on May 18, 1896 that the issue did not violate the Constitution.
William jennings bryan William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan gives his famous "cross of gold" speech and wins the Democratic nomination. He becomes the leader of the Populist Movement.
Us interstatecommercecommission seal The Elkins Act With Roosevelt's urging, Congress passed the Elkins Act which made it illegal for railroad officials to give, and shippers to receive, rebates for using particular railroads. The act also specified that railroads could not change set rates without notifying the public.
55288 George Eastman George Eastman's Kodak camera is used to capture the legendary first flight of the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
North carolina4 First Flight The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, succeed in their first successful flight which lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet.
Web dubois 1918 W.E.B Du Bois Du Bois founds the Niagara Movement which insisted that blacks should seek a liberal arts degree so the African-American community would have well educated leaders.
Teddy roosevelt Pure Food and Drug Act In 1906, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, which halted the sale of contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling.
William taft picture Taft is elected William Howard Taft and the republican party cruise for an easy victory over William Jennings Bryan and the democrats.
President woodrow wilson po Woodrow Wilson With the Republican Party split, the Democrats get their first chance at the White House since 1892, they put forward their candidate Woodrow Wilson who takes the presidency.
Timespan Dates: Timespan Title: Timespan Description:

American History 1860-1920 This is a timeline depicting the important events, people, inventions, and ideas of from the time period of 1860 to 1920.