Historical Backdrop

This is a simple timeline of major historical events up through 1950 which should be kept in mind while searching for people of the past. There may be hints in this information that indicate the value of certain records (ie, Civil War Pension Cards, WWI Rosters, etc) or generally serve as reminders of the social, political and economic environment of each ancestor. This is not to be used for educational reference in US or World History. It is incomplete, covering only items I needed to keep straight while doing my own genealogical research. ~ DHP

c.1500	.....	Europeans and Africans began to arrive in the Americas.
c.1600	.....	The English began to settle colonies in Virginia. Population in the colonies grew to 275,000 by 1700. Last of the original 13 colonies was Georgia, settled in 1732.
1754	.....	Seven Years War or French and Indian War began.
1775	.....	Battles at Lexington and Concord, Massachussetts, began the Revolutionary War (1775-1783).
1776	.....	The Declaration of Independence was adopted.
1783	.....	Treaty of Paris ended the Revolution.
1790	.....	First National Census reported over 4 million people living in the new United States.
1803	.....	Louisiana Purchase doubles the nation's size.
1812	.....	War of 1812 (1812-1815), another against Great Britain.
1815	.....	Indian Wars (1815-1858), another against Great Britain.
1830	.....	First wagon train crossed the Rocky Mountains.
1838	.....	Winter of 1838-1839 especially. Trail of Tears - Forced Removal of the Cherokee and other People of color to the West
1838	.....	Patriot War (?)
1846	.....	Mexican War (1846-1848) was mostly over the US annexation of Texas.
1849	.....	California Gold Rush drawing thousands westward.
1861	.....	The Civil War began (1861-1865)
1865	.....	Confederates surrendered at Appomattox, ending the Civil War.
1869	.....	Transcontinental Railroad linked East to West.
1876	.....	Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
1886	.....	Statue of Liberty was dedicated.
1898	.....	Spanish-American War (1898-1899)
1899	.....	Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902)
1917	.....	The United States entered World War I. The war began in Europe in 1914 and ended in 1918.
1927	.....	Charles Lindberg flew the first nonstop solo trans-Atlantic flight.
1929	.....	The Stock Market crashed, beginning the Great Depression.
1941	.....	Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. In 1945, Germany and Japan surrendered, ending World War II. Delegates from 50 nations form the United Nations.
1950	.....	The Korean War began. It ended in 1953.