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Milestone Documents

Home > Milestone Documents


MILESTONE DOCUMENTS

Complete List of Documents

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)

Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)

The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900)

The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945)

Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s)


MILESTONE DOCUMENTS

The primary source documents on this page highlight pivotal moments in the
course of American history or government. They are some of the most-viewed and
sought-out documents in the holdings of the National Archives.

Timeline
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JUNE 7, 1776


LEE RESOLUTION

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, introduced this resolution in
the Second Continental Congress proposing independence for the American
colonies. Learn more.


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JULY 4, 1776


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4,
1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began
signing it.  Learn more.


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1777


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on
November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States' first
constitution. It was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789 when the
present-day Constitution went into effect.  Learn more.


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1778


TREATY OF ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE

The American Colonies and France signed this military treaty on February 6,
1778.  Learn more.


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1782


ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES

Just a few hours after the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the first committee to design a seal for
the United States was appointed, and its design began. After undergoing numerous
changes, on June 20, 1782, the seal was officially adopted by the Continental
Congress.  Learn more.


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1783


TREATY OF PARIS

This treaty, signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and
Great Britain, ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United
States as an independent nation.  Learn more.


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1787


VIRGINIA PLAN

Drafted by James Madison, and presented by Edmund Randolph to the Constitutional
Convention on May 29, 1787, the Virginia Plan proposed a strong central
government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. 
Learn more.


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1787


NORTHWEST ORDINANCE

Officially titled An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United
States North-West of the River Ohio, the Northwest Ordinance was passed on July
13, 1787.  Learn more.


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1787


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the
summer of 1787, this four-page document, signed on September 17, 1787,
established the government of the United States.  Learn more.


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1789


PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FIRST INAUGURAL SPEECH

Although not required by the Constitution, George Washington presented the first
Presidential inaugural address on April 30, 1789.  Learn more.


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1789


FEDERAL JUDICIARY ACT

One of the first acts of the new Congress was to establish a Federal court
system through the Judiciary Act signed by President Washington on September 24,
1789.  Learn more.


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1791


BILL OF RIGHTS

Although 12 amendments were originally proposed, the 10 that were ratified
became the Bill of Rights in 1791. They defined citizens' rights in relation to
the newly established government under the Constitution.  Learn more.


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1794


PATENT FOR COTTON GIN

Designed to separate cotton fiber from seed, Whitney's cotton gin, for which he
received a patent on March 14, 1794, introduced a new, profitable technology to
agricultural production in America.  Learn more.


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1798


ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS

Passed in preparation for an anticipated war with France, the Alien and Sedition
Acts tightened restrictions on foreign-born Americans and limited speech
critical of the government.  Learn more.


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1803


JEFFERSON'S SECRET MESSAGE TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

In this secret message of January 18, 1803, President Jefferson asked Congress
for $2,500 to explore the West--all the way to the Pacific Ocean. At the time,
the territory did not belong to the United States. Congress agreed to fund the
expedition that would be led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.  Learn more.


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1803


MARBURY V. MADISON

The decision in this Supreme Court Case established the right of the courts to
determine the constitutionality of the actions of the other two branches of
government.  Learn more.


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1803


LOUISIANA PURCHASE TREATY

In this transaction with France, signed on April 30, 1803, the United States
purchased 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15
million. For roughly 4 cents an acre, the United States doubled its size,
expanding the nation westward.  Learn more.


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1814


TREATY OF GHENT

This treaty, signed on December 24, 1814, ended the War of 1812, fought between
Great Britain and the United States.  Learn more.


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1819


MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND

This Supreme Court Case addressed the issue of Federal power and commerce. 
Learn more.


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1820


MISSOURI COMPROMISE

This legislation admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a non-slave
state at the same time, so as not to upset the balance between slave and free
states in the nation. It also outlawed slavery above the 36° 30' latitude line
in the remainder of the Louisiana Territory.  Learn more.


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1823


MONROE DOCTRINE

The Monroe Doctrine was articulated in President James Monroe's seventh annual
message to Congress on December 2, 1823. The European powers, according to
Monroe, were obligated to respect the Western Hemisphere as the United States'
sphere of interest.  Learn more.


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1824


GIBBONS V. OGDEN

This Supreme Court decision forbade states from enacting any legislation that
would interfere with Congress's right to regulate commerce among the separate
states.  Learn more.


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1830


PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS 'ON INDIAN REMOVAL'

On December 6, 1830, in his annual message to Congress, President Andrew Jackson
informed Congress on the progress of the removal of Indian tribes living east of
the Mississippi River to unsettled land in the west.  Learn more.


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1848


TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO

This treaty, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war between the United States
and Mexico. By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including
parts of present-day Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Nevada,
and Utah, to the United States.  Learn more.


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1850


COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise was actually a series of bills passed mainly to address issues
related to slavery. The bills provided for slavery to be decided by popular
sovereignty in the admission of new states, prohibited the slave trade in the
District of Columbia, settled a Texas boundary dispute, and established a
stricter fugitive slave act. This featured document is Henry Clay's handwritten
draft.  Learn more.


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1854


KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT

Officially titled "An Act to Organize the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas,"
this act repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had outlawed slavery above the
36° 30' latitude in the Louisiana territories and reopened the national struggle
over slavery in the western territories.  Learn more.


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1857


DRED SCOTT V. SANDFORD

In this ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that enslaved people were not
citizens of the United States and, therefore, could not expect any protection
from the federal government or the courts. The opinion also stated that Congress
had no authority to ban slavery from a federal territory.  Learn more.


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1861


TELEGRAM ANNOUNCING THE SURRENDER OF FORT SUMTER

The first engagement of the Civil War took place at Fort Sumter on April 12 and
13, 1861. After 34 hours of fighting, the Union surrendered the fort to the
Confederates.  Learn more.


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1862


HOMESTEAD ACT

Passed on May 20, 1862, the Homestead Act accelerated the settlement of the
western territory by granting adult heads of families 160 acres of surveyed
public land for a minimal filing fee and 5 years of continuous residence on that
land.  Learn more.


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1862


PACIFIC RAILWAY ACT

This act, passed on July 1, 1862, provided Federal subsidies in land and loans
for the construction of a transcontinental railroad across the United States. 
Learn more.


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1862


MORRILL ACT

Passed on July 2, 1862, this act made it possible for states to establish public
colleges funded by the development or sale of associated federal land grants.
Over 10 million acres provided by these grants were expropriated from tribal
lands of Native communities. The new land-grant institutions, which emphasized
agriculture and mechanic arts, opened opportunities to thousands of farmers and
working people previously excluded from higher education.  Learn more.


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1863


EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1,
1863, announcing, "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious areas
"are, and henceforward shall be free."  Learn more.


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1863


WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 143: CREATION OF THE U.S. COLORED TROOPS

The War Department issued General Order 143 on May 22, 1863, creating the United
States Colored Troops. By the end of the Civil War, roughly 179,000 Black men
(10 percent of the Union Army) served as soldiers in the U.S. Army, and another
19,000 served in the Navy.  Learn more.


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1864


WADE-DAVIS BILL

At the end of the Civil War, this bill created a framework for Reconstruction
and the readmittance of the Confederate states to the Union.  Learn more.


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1865


ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE SURRENDER OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

On April 9, 1865, Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee met in the parlor
of a house in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, to discuss the surrender of the
Army of Northern Virginia, which would effectively end the Civil War.  Learn
more.


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1865


13TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the
13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.  Learn more.


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1867


CHECK FOR THE PURCHASE OF ALASKA

With this check, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2
million.  Learn more.


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1868


FORT LARAMIE TREATY

In this treaty, signed on April 29, 1868, between the U.S. Government and the
Sioux Nation, the United States recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great
Sioux Reservation, set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people.  Learn more.


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1868


14TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: CIVIL RIGHTS

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866, and ratified July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment
extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved
people.  Learn more.


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1870


15TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: VOTING RIGHTS

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869, and ratified February 3, 1870, the 15th
Amendment granted African American men the right to vote.  Learn more.


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1872


ACT ESTABLISHING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone became the first Federally protected national park by the Act of
Congress signed into law on March 1, 1872.  Learn more.


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1880


THOMAS EDISON'S PATENT APPLICATION FOR THE LIGHT BULB

On January 27, 1880, Thomas Edison received the historic patent embodying the
principles of his incandescent lamp that paved the way for the universal
domestic use of electric light.  Learn more.


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1882


CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT

The Chinese Exclusion Act was approved on May 6, 1882. It was the first
significant law restricting immigration into the United States.  Learn more.


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1883


PENDLETON ACT

Approved on January 16, 1883, the Pendleton Act established a merit-based system
of selecting government officials and supervising their work.  Learn more.


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1887


INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT

Approved on February 4, 1887, the Interstate Commerce Act created an Interstate
Commerce Commission to oversee the conduct of the railroad industry. With this
act, the railroads became the first industry subject to federal regulation. 
Learn more.


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1887


DAWES ACT

Approved on February 8, 1887, "An Act to Provide for the Allotment of Lands in
Severalty to Indians on the Various Reservations," known as the Dawes Act,
emphasized severalty, the treatment of Native Americans as individuals rather
than as members of tribes.  Learn more


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1890


SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST ACT

Approved July 2, 1890, The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was the first Federal act that
outlawed monopolistic business practices.  Learn more.


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1896


PLESSY V. FERGUSON

The ruling in this Supreme Court case upheld a Louisiana state law that allowed
for "equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races."  Learn
more.


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1898


DE LÔME LETTER

This letter, written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States, Enrique
Dupuy de Lôme, criticized American President William McKinley by calling him
weak and concerned only with gaining the favor of the crowd. Publication of the
letter helped generate public support for a war with Spain over the issue of
independence for the Spanish colony of Cuba.  Learn more.


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1898


JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR ANNEXING THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS TO THE UNITED
STATES

On July 7, 1898, the Hawaiian Islands were annexed by this joint resolution. 
Learn more.


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1903


PLATT AMENDMENT

Approved on May 22, 1903, the Platt Amendment was a treaty between the U.S. and
Cuba that attempted to protect Cuba's independence from foreign intervention. It
permitted extensive U.S. involvement in Cuban international and domestic affairs
for the enforcement of Cuban independence.  Learn more.


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1904


THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S COROLLARY TO THE MONROE DOCTRINE

In his annual messages to Congress in 1904 and 1905, President Theodore
Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine. The corollary stated that not only were
the nations of the Western Hemisphere not open to colonization by European
powers, but that the United States had the responsibility to preserve order and
protect life and property in those countries.  Learn more.


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1913


16TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: FEDERAL INCOME TAX

Passed by Congress on July 2, 1909, and ratified February 3, 1913, the 16th
amendment established Congress's right to impose a Federal income tax.  Learn
more.


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1913


17TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: DIRECT ELECTION OF U.S. SENATORS

Passed by Congress on May 13, 1912, and ratified on April 8, 1913, the 17th
Amendment modified Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution by allowing voters
to cast direct votes for U.S. senators. Prior to its passage, senators were
chosen by state legislatures.  Learn more.


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1916


KEATING-OWEN CHILD LABOR ACT

This act limited the working hours of children and forbade the interstate sale
of goods produced by child labor. The Supreme Court later ruled it
unconstitutional. Learn more.


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1917


ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM

This telegram, written by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann, is a coded
message sent to Mexico, proposing a military alliance against the United States.
The obvious threats to the United States contained in the telegram inflamed
American public opinion against Germany and helped convince Congress to declare
war against Germany in 1917.  Learn more.


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1917


JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LEADING TO A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST GERMANY

On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson delivered this address to a joint
session of Congress and called for a declaration of war against Germany. The
resulting congressional vote brought the United States into World War I.  Learn
more.


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1918


PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON'S 14 POINTS

In this January 8, 1918, address to Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proposed
a 14-point program for world peace. These points were later taken as the basis
for peace negotiations at the end of World War I.  Learn more.


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1919


19TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th
amendment granted women the right to vote.  Learn more.


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1928


BOULDER CANYON PROJECT ACT

This act authorized the construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and
the All-American Canal to the Imperial Valley in California.  Learn more.


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1933


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ACT

This act of May 18, 1933, created the Tennessee Valley Authority to oversee the
construction of dams to control flooding, improve navigation, and create cheap
electric power in the Tennessee Valley basin.  Learn more.


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1933


NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY ACT

On June 16, 1933, this act established the National Recovery Administration,
which supervised fair trade codes and guaranteed laborers a right to collective
bargaining.  Learn more.


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1935


NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT

Also known as the Wagner Act, this bill was signed into law by President
Franklin Roosevelt on July 5, 1935. It established the National Labor Relations
Board and addressed relations between unions and employers in the private
sector.  Learn more.


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1935


SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

On August 14, 1935, the Social Security Act established a system of old-age
benefits for workers, benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment
insurance, and aid for dependent mothers and children, persons who are blind,
and persons with disabilities.  Learn more.


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1936


PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S RADIO ADDRESS UNVEILING THE SECOND HALF OF THE
NEW DEAL

In this radio address, President Franklin Roosevelt announced a second set of
measures to combat the Great Depression, which become known as the Second New
Deal. These included a series of new relief programs such as the Works Progress
Administration.  Learn more.


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1941


PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE (FOUR FREEDOMS) TO CONGRESS

This speech delivered by President Franklin Roosevelt on January 6, 1941, became
known as his "Four Freedoms Speech," due to a short closing portion describing
the President's vision in which the American ideals of individual liberties were
extended throughout the world.  Learn more.


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1941


LEND-LEASE ACT

Passed on March 11, 1941, this act set up a system that would allow the United
States to lend or lease war supplies to any nation deemed "vital to the defense
of the United States."  Learn more.


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1941


EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802: PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY

In June of 1941, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, banning
discriminatory employment practices by Federal agencies and all unions and
companies engaged in war-related work. The order also established the Fair
Employment Practices Commission to enforce the new policy.  Learn more.


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1941


JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LEADING TO A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST JAPAN

On December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President
Franklin Roosevelt delivered this "Day of Infamy Speech." Immediately afterward,
Congress declared war, and the United States entered World War II.  Learn more.


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1942


EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066: RESULTING IN JAPANESE-AMERICAN INCARCERATION

Issued by President Franklin Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, this order
authorized the forced removal of all persons deemed a threat to national
security from the West Coast to "relocation centers" further inland.  Learn
more.


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1942


MANHATTAN PROJECT NOTEBOOK

This notebook records an experiment of the Manhattan Project, the all-out, but
highly secret, effort of the federal government to build an atomic bomb during
World War II. Recorded here is the world's first controlled, self-sustaining
nuclear chain reaction, achieved on December 2, 1942.  Learn more.


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1944


GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER'S ORDER OF THE DAY

This order was issued by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower to encourage Allied soldiers
taking part in the D-day invasion.  Learn more.


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1944


SERVICEMEN'S READJUSTMENT ACT

Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944, this act,
also known as the GI Bill, provided veterans of the Second World War funds for
college education, unemployment insurance, and housing.  Learn more.


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1945


SURRENDER OF GERMANY

This instrument of surrender was signed on May 7, 1945, at Gen. Dwight D.
Eisenhower's headquarters in Reims by Gen. Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of the
German Army. At the same time, he signed three other surrender documents, one
each for Great Britain, Russia, and France.  Learn more.


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1945


UNITED NATIONS CHARTER

On June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, the United Nations was established. Article
111 of its charter indicated that "The present Charter, of which the Chinese,
French, Russian, English, and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall remain
deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America.
Duly certified copies thereof shall be transmitted by that Government to the
Governments of the other signatory states."  Learn more.


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1945


SURRENDER OF JAPAN

Aboard the USS Missouri, this instrument of surrender was signed on September 2,
1945, by the Japanese envoys Foreign Minister Mamora Shigemitsu and Gen.
Yoshijiro Umezu.  Learn more.


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1947


TRUMAN DOCTRINE

On March 12, 1947, President Harry S. Truman presented this address before a
joint session of Congress. His message, known as the Truman Doctrine, asked
Congress for $400 million in military and economic assistance for Turkey and
Greece.  Learn more.


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1948


MARSHALL PLAN

On April 3, 1948, President Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act of 1948. It
became known as the Marshall Plan, named for Secretary of State George Marshall,
who in 1947 proposed that the United States provide economic assistance to
restore the economic infrastructure of postwar Europe.  Learn more.


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1948


PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING U.S. RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL

At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed a
new State of Israel. On that same date, the United States recognized the
provisional Jewish government as de facto authority of the Jewish state (de jure
recognition was extended on January 31, 1949).  Learn more.


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1948


EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981: DESEGREGATION OF THE ARMED FORCES

On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed this executive order
establishing the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity
in the Armed Services, committing the government to integrating the segregated
military.


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1953


ARMISTICE AGREEMENT FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE SOUTH KOREAN STATE

This armistice signed on July 27, 1953, formally ended the war in Korea. North
and South Korea remain separate and occupy almost the same territory they had
when the war began.  Learn more.


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1954


BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION

In this milestone decision, the Supreme Court ruled that separating children in
public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional. It signaled the end of
legalized racial segregation in the schools of the United States, overruling the
"separate but equal" principle set forth in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case. 
Learn more.


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1954


SENATE RESOLUTION 301: CENSURE OF SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY

On December 2, 1954, the Senate voted to censure Senator Joseph McCarthy, who
had led the fight in Congress to root out suspected Communists from the Federal
Government. The censure described his behavior as "contrary to senatorial
traditions."  Learn more.


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1956


NATIONAL INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS ACT

This act authorized the building of highways throughout the nation, which would
be the biggest public works project in the nation's history.  Learn more.


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1957


EXECUTIVE ORDER 10730: DESEGREGATION OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

This executive order of September 23, 1957, signed by President Dwight
Eisenhower, sent federal troops to maintain order and peace while the
integration of Central High School in Little Rock, AR, took place.  Learn more.


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1961


PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER'S FAREWELL ADDRESS

On January 17, 1961, in this farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower
warned against the establishment of a "military-industrial complex."  Learn
more.


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1961


PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS

On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address
in which he announced that "we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any
hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success
of liberty."  Learn more.


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1961


EXECUTIVE ORDER 10924: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PEACE CORPS.

On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signed this executive order establishing the
Peace Corps. On September 22, 1961, Congress approved the legislation that
formally authorized the Peace Corps. Goals of the Peace Corps included: 1)
helping the people of interested countries and areas meet their needs for
trained workers; 2) helping promote a better understanding of Americans in
countries where volunteers served; and 3) helping promote a better understanding
of peoples of other nations on the part of Americans.  Learn more.


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1962


TRANSCRIPT OF JOHN GLENN'S OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMAND CENTER

John Glenn conducted the first manned space orbit of the earth by an American on
February 20, 1962. This is the transcription of his in-flight communication with
Mission Control in Florida.  Learn more.


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1962


AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF MISSILES IN CUBA

Instrumental in the early stages of the Cuban missile crisis, these photographs
showed that the Soviet Union was amassing offensive ballistic missiles in Cuba.
President John F. Kennedy warned that any attempt by the Soviet Union to place
nuclear weapons in Cuba would be seen as a threat to the United States.  Learn
more.


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1963


TEST BAN TREATY

On August 5, 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed by the United States,
Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. After Senate approval, the treaty that went
into effect on October 10, 1963, banned nuclear weapons testing in the
atmosphere, in outer space, and under water.  Learn more.


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1963


OFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

This program listed the events scheduled at the Lincoln Memorial during the
August 28, 1963, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The highlight of the
march, which attracted 250,000 people, was Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream"
speech.  Learn more.


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1964


CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

This act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964,
prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of
schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal.
This document was the most sweeping civil rights legislation since
Reconstruction.  Learn more.


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1964


TONKIN GULF RESOLUTION

This joint resolution of Congress (H.J. RES 1145) dated August 7, 1964, gave
President Lyndon Johnson authority to increase U.S. involvement in the war
between North and South Vietnam.  Learn more.


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1965


MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ACT

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid
Act, also known as the Social Security Amendments of 1965, into law. It
established Medicare, a health insurance program for the elderly, and Medicaid,
a health insurance program for people with limited income.  Learn more.


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1965


VOTING RIGHTS ACT

This act was signed into law on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon Johnson. It
outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states
after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting. 
Learn more.



 
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
 
Previous
Date
Timeline JS



LEE RESOLUTION


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION


TREATY OF ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE


ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES


TREATY OF PARIS


VIRGINIA PLAN


NORTHWEST ORDINANCE


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES


PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FIRST INAUGURAL SPEECH


FEDERAL JUDICIARY ACT


BILL OF RIGHTS


PATENT FOR COTTON GIN


ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS


JEFFERSON'S SECRET MESSAGE TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION


MARBURY V. MADISON


LOUISIANA PURCHASE TREATY


TREATY OF GHENT


MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND


MISSOURI COMPROMISE


MONROE DOCTRINE


GIBBONS V. OGDEN


PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS 'ON INDIAN REMOVAL'


TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO


COMPROMISE OF 1850


KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT


DRED SCOTT V. SANDFORD


TELEGRAM ANNOUNCING THE SURRENDER OF FORT SUMTER


HOMESTEAD ACT


PACIFIC RAILWAY ACT


MORRILL ACT


EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION


WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 143: CREATION OF THE U.S. COLORED TROOPS


WADE-DAVIS BILL


ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE SURRENDER OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA


13TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: ABOLITION OF SLAVERY


CHECK FOR THE PURCHASE OF ALASKA


FORT LARAMIE TREATY


14TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: CIVIL RIGHTS


15TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: VOTING RIGHTS


ACT ESTABLISHING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK


THOMAS EDISON'S PATENT APPLICATION FOR THE LIGHT BULB


CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT


PENDLETON ACT


INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT


DAWES ACT


SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST ACT


PLESSY V. FERGUSON


DE LÔME LETTER


JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR ANNEXING THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS TO THE UNITED
STATES


PLATT AMENDMENT


THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S COROLLARY TO THE MONROE DOCTRINE


16TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: FEDERAL INCOME TAX


17TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: DIRECT ELECTION OF U.S. SENATORS


KEATING-OWEN CHILD LABOR ACT


ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM


JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LEADING TO A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST GERMANY


PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON'S 14 POINTS


19TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE


BOULDER CANYON PROJECT ACT


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ACT


NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY ACT


NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT


SOCIAL SECURITY ACT


PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S RADIO ADDRESS UNVEILING THE SECOND HALF OF THE
NEW DEAL


PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE (FOUR FREEDOMS) TO CONGRESS


LEND-LEASE ACT


EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802: PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY


JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LEADING TO A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST JAPAN


EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066: RESULTING IN JAPANESE-AMERICAN INCARCERATION


MANHATTAN PROJECT NOTEBOOK


GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER'S ORDER OF THE DAY


SERVICEMEN'S READJUSTMENT ACT


SURRENDER OF GERMANY


UNITED NATIONS CHARTER


SURRENDER OF JAPAN


TRUMAN DOCTRINE


MARSHALL PLAN


PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING U.S. RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL


EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981: DESEGREGATION OF THE ARMED FORCES


ARMISTICE AGREEMENT FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE SOUTH KOREAN STATE


BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION


SENATE RESOLUTION 301: CENSURE OF SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY


NATIONAL INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS ACT


EXECUTIVE ORDER 10730: DESEGREGATION OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL


PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER'S FAREWELL ADDRESS


PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS


EXECUTIVE ORDER 10924: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PEACE CORPS.


TRANSCRIPT OF JOHN GLENN'S OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMAND CENTER


AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF MISSILES IN CUBA


TEST BAN TREATY


OFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON


CIVIL RIGHTS ACT


TONKIN GULF RESOLUTION


MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ACT


VOTING RIGHTS ACT


REVOLUTION & NEW NATION


EXPANSION AND REFORM


CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION


THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL UNITED STATES


THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN AMERICA


THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND WORLD WAR II


POSTWAR UNITED STATES

1640
1650
1660
1670
1680
1690
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1710
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1760
1770
1780
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1850
1860
1870
1880
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1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050
2060
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2080
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1911
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1913
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1915
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1917
1918
1919
1921
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1929
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1932
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1937
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1971
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1973
1974
1975
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1977
1978
1979
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989




REVOLUTION AND THE NEW NATION


LEE RESOLUTION
(1776)


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (1776)


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (1777)


TREATY OF ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE (1778)


ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES (1782)


TREATY OF PARIS (1783)


VIRGINIA PLAN (1787)


NORTHWEST ORDINANCE (1787)


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (1787)


PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FIRST INAUGURAL SPEECH (1789)


FEDERAL JUDICIARY ACT (1789)


BILL OF RIGHTS (1791)


ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS (1798)


MARBURY V. MADISON (1803)


TREATY OF GHENT (1814)

 

 


EXPANSION AND REFORM


PATENT FOR COTTON GIN (1794)

 


JEFFERSON'S SECRET MESSAGE TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION
(1803)


LOUISIANA PURCHASE TREATY (1803)

 


MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND (1819)

 


MISSOURI COMPROMISE (1820)

 


MONROE DOCTRINE (1822)

 


GIBBONS V. OGDEN (1824)

 


PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS 'ON INDIAN REMOVAL' (1830)


TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO (1848)



 

 


CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION


COMPROMISE OF 1850 (1850)

 


KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT (1854)

 


DRED SCOTT V. SANDFORD (1857)

 


TELEGRAM ANNOUNCING THE SURRENDER OF FORT SUMTER (1861)


HOMESTEAD ACT (1862)

 


PACIFIC RAILWAY ACT (1862)

 


MORRILL ACT (1862)

 


EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION (1863)


WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 143: CREATION OF THE U.S. COLORED TROOPS (1863)

 


WADE-DAVIS BILL (1864)

 


ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE SURRENDER OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
(1865)


13TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: ABOLITION OF SLAVERY (1865)

 


CHECK FOR THE PURCHASE OF ALASKA (1868)

 


FORT LARAMIE TREATY (1868)

 


14TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: CIVIL RIGHTS (1868)


15TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: VOTING RIGHTS (1870)


ACT ESTABLISHING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (1872)

 

 


THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL UNITED STATES


THOMAS EDISON'S PATENT APPLICATION FOR THE LIGHT BULB (1880)


CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT (1882)

 


PENDLETON ACT (1883)

 


INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT (1887)

 


DAWES ACT (1887)


SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST ACT (1890)

 


THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN AMERICA


PLESSY V. FERGUSON (1896)


DE LÔME LETTER (1898)


JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR ANNEXING THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS TO THE UNITED
STATES (1898)


PLATT AMENDMENT (1903)


THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S COROLLARY TO THE MONROE DOCTRINE (1905)


16TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: FEDERAL INCOME TAX (1913)


17TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: DIRECT ELECTION OF U.S. SENATORS (1913)


KEATING-OWEN CHILD LABOR ACT OF 1916 (1916)


ZIMMERMANN TELEGRAM (1917)


JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LEADING TO A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST GERMANY (1917)


PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON'S 14 POINTS (1918)


19TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE (1920)


BOULDER CANYON PROJECT ACT (1928)

 


THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND WORLD WAR II


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ACT (1933)


NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY ACT (1933)


NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT (1935)


SOCIAL SECURITY ACT (1935)


PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S RADIO ADDRESS UNVEILING THE SECOND HALF OF THE
NEW DEAL (1936)


PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE (FOUR FREEDOMS) TO CONGRESS (1941)


LEND-LEASE ACT (1941)


EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802: PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY
(1941)


JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LEADING TO A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST JAPAN (1941)


EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066: RESULTING IN JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT (1942)


GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER'S ORDER OF THE DAY (1944)


SERVICEMEN'S READJUSTMENT ACT (1944)


MANHATTAN PROJECT NOTEBOOK (1942)


SURRENDER OF GERMANY (1945)


UNITED NATIONS CHARTER (1945)


SURRENDER OF JAPAN (1945)

 


POSTWAR UNITED STATES


TRUMAN DOCTRINE (1947)


MARSHALL PLAN (1948)


PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING U.S. RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL (1948)


EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981: DESEGREGATION OF THE ARMED FORCES (1948)


ARMISTICE AGREEMENT FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE SOUTH KOREAN STATE (1953)


SENATE RESOLUTION 301: CENSURE OF SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY (1954)


BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION (1954)


NATIONAL INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS ACT (1956)


EXECUTIVE ORDER 10730: DESEGREGATION OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (1957)


PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER'S FAREWELL ADDRESS (1961)


PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS (1961)


EXECUTIVE ORDER 10924: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PEACE CORPS. (1961)


TRANSCRIPT OF JOHN GLENN'S OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMAND CENTER (1962)


AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF MISSILES IN CUBA (1962)


TEST BAN TREATY (1963)


OFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON (1963)


CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (1964)


TONKIN GULF RESOLUTION (1964)


MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ACT (1965)


VOTING RIGHTS ACT (1965)

 

 

A note about the documents included on this page: These documents were
originally selected for the project Our Documents: 100 Milestone Documents from
the National Archives, a national initiative on American history, civics, and
service. They were identified to "help us think, talk and teach about the rights
and responsibilities of citizens in our democracy...These documents reflect our
diversity and our unity, our past and our future, and mostly our commitment as a
nation to continue to strive to 'form a more perfect union.'" The original list
included only documents created prior to 1965. In the future, this page will be
updated with additional documents created after 1965. The original list also
included several documents from the Library of Congress (Federalist Paper No.
10, Federalist Paper No. 51, Gettysburg Address, Lincoln's Second Inaugural
Address) and the New York Public Library (George Washington's Farewell Address
)."

 

 

This page was last reviewed on August 3, 2022.
Contact us with questions or comments.


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