The American Revolution

July 8, 1788 - A committee in the old Congress (still under the Articles of Confederation) is established to prepare for an orderly transfer of power, including procedures for electing representatives to the first Congress under the new Constitution and procedures for choosing the electors of the first president.

July 26, 1788 - The state of New York votes 30 to 27 to endorse ratification while also recommending a bill of rights be included.

September 13, 1788 - New York City is chosen by Congress to be the temporary seat of the new U.S. government.

October-December - Commodity prices stabilize, spurring economic recovery and a gradual return to pre-war levels of prosperity.

November 1, 1788 - The old Congress, operating under the Articles of Confederation, adjourns. The U.S. is temporarily without a central government.

November 21, 1788 - North Carolina endorses the Constitution by a vote of 194 to 77.

December 23, 1788 - Maryland proposes giving a 10 square-mile area along the Potomac River for the establishment of a federal town to be the new seat of the U.S. government.

January 7, 1789 - Presidential electors are chosen in the 11 ratifying states, except New York.

January 23, 1789 - Georgetown University, the first Catholic college in the U.S., is founded by Father John Carroll.

February 4, 1789 - Ballots are cast in the first presidential election, to be counted on April 6.

March 4, 1789 - The first Congress convenes in New York City, but is unable to achieve a quorum, since most members are still traveling there.

April 1, 1789 - A quorum is reached in Congress with 30 of 59 members present and the House of Representatives begins to function. Of the 59 members, 54 had also been delegates to the constitutional convention.

April 6, 1789 - In the Senate, with 9 of 22 senators present, the presidential ballots cast on Feb. 4 are counted. George Washington is the unanimous choice for President with 69 votes. John Adams is elected Vice President with 34 votes. Messengers are then sent to inform Washington and Adams.

April 14, 1789 - Charles Thomson, secretary of Congress, arrives at Mount Vernon and informs George Washington of his election as President. Two days later, Washington leaves for New York City.

April 21, 1789 - John Adams arrives in New York and is sworn in as Vice President, then takes his seat as presiding officer of the Senate.

April 23, 1789 - After an eight day triumphal journey, Washington arrives in New York City.

April 30, 1789 - On the balcony of New York's Federal Hall, George Washington, at age 57, is sworn in as the first President of the United States. He then enters the Senate chamber to deliver his inaugural address.

May 7, 1789 - The first inaugural ball occurs in honor of President Washington.

June 1, 1789 - In its first act, Congress establishes the procedure for administering oaths of office.

July 4, 1789 - Congress passes its first tax, an 8.5 percent protective tax on 30 different items, with items arriving on American ships charged at a lower rate than foreign ships.

July 14, 1789 - In France, the French Revolution begins with the fall of the Bastille in Paris, an event witnessed by the American ambassador, Thomas Jefferson.

July 20, 1789 - Congress passes the Tonnage Act of 1789 levying a 50 cents per ton tax on foreign ships entering American ports, 30 cents per ton on American built but foreign owned ships, and 6 cents per ton on American ships.

July 27, 1789 - Congress begins organization of the departments of government with the establishment of the Department of Foreign Affairs, later renamed the Department of State. Followed by the War Department (Aug. 7) Treasury Dept. (Sept. 2) and Postmaster General under the Treasury Dept. (Sept. 2).

 September 22, 1789 - The Federal Judiciary Act passed by Congress establishes a six-man Supreme Court, attorney general, 13 federal district courts and 3 circuit courts. All federal cases would originate in the district court and, if appealed, would go to the circuit court and from there to the Supreme Court.

September 25, 1789 - Congress submits 12 proposed constitutional amendments to the states for ratification. The first ten will be ratified and added to the Constitution in 1791 as the Bill of Rights.

September 29, 1789 - The U.S. Army is established by Congress. Totaling 1000 men, it consists of one regiment of eight infantry companies and one battalion of four artillery companies.

Nov. 21, 1789 - North Carolina is the 12th state admitted to the Union.

November 26, 1789 - A Day of Thanksgiving is established by a congressional resolution and a proclamation by George Washington.

March 1, 1790 - A Census Act is passed by Congress. The first census, finished on Aug. 1, indicates a total population of nearly 4 million persons in the U.S. and western territories. African Americans make up 19 percent of the population, with 90 percent living in the South. Native Americans were not counted, although there were likely over 80 tribes with 150,000 persons. For white Americans, the average age is under 16. Most white families are large, with an average of eight children born. The white population will double every 22 years.

The largest American city is Philadelphia, with 42,000 persons, followed by New York (33,000) Boston (18,000) Charleston (16,000) and Baltimore (13,000). The majority of Americans are involved in agricultural pursuits, with little industrial activity occurring at this time.

Apr. 3, 1790 - The United States Coast Guard is established.

April 17, 1790 - Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84. His funeral four days later draws over 20,000 mourners.

May 29, 1790 - Rhode Island is the 13th state admitted to the Union.

July 10, 1790 - The House of Representatives votes to locate the national capital on a 10 square-mile site along the Potomac, with President George Washington choosing the exact location. 

Dec. 21, 1790 - Samuel Slater opens the first textile factory in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Mar. 4, 1791 - Vermont is the 14th state admitted to the Union.

Dec. 15, 1791 - The Bill of Rights (containing the 1st 10 Amendments) is ratified by 3/4ths of the states and becomes a part of the U.S. Constitution.

Feb. 20, 1792 - The United States Postal Service is established.

Apr. 2, 1792 - The United States Mint is established.

May 8, 1792 - The United States Military Draft is established.

Jun. 1, 1792 - Kentucky is the 15th state admitted to the Union.

Mar. 4, 1793 - George Washington is sworn in as President for a 2nd term.

Mar. 4, 1793 - John Adams is sworn in as Vice President for a 2nd term.

Mar. 5, 1794 - The 11th Amendment is passed by Congress.

Mar. 27, 1794 - The United States Navy is established.

May 8, 1794 - The United States Post Office is established.

Jun. 1, 1796 - Tennessee is the 16th state admitted to the Union.

Mar. 4, 1797 - John Adams is sworn in as the 2nd President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1797 - Thomas Jefferson is sworn in as the 2nd Vice President of the United States.

Jan. 8, 1798 - The 11th Amendment is added to the Constitution.

Jul. 11, 1798 - The United States Marine Corps is established.

May 7, 1800 - The Indiana Territory is organized.

May 7, 1800 - The Ohio Territory is organized.

Dec. 12, 1800 - Washington, D.C. becomes the official capital of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1801 - Thomas Jefferson is sworn in as the 3rd President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1801 - Aaron Burr is sworn in as the 3rd Vice President of the Unted States.

Mar. 1, 1803 - Ohio is the 17th state admitted to the Union.

Apr. 30, 1803 - The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory for $15 million, containing what is now Arkansas, part of Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, part of Minnesota, Missouri, part of Montana, part of North Dakota, part of Oklahoma, South Dakota, and part of Wyoming.

Dec. 12, 1803 - The 12th Amendment is passed by Congress.

May 17, 1804 - Louis & Clark begin their expedition of the Louisiana Territory.

Sep. 25, 1804 - The 12th Amendment is added to the Constitution.

Jan. 11, 1805 - The Michigan Territory is organized.

Mar. 4, 1805 - Thomas Jefferson is sworn in as President for a 2nd term.

Mar. 4, 1805 - George Clinton is sworn in as 4th Vice President of the United States.

Nov. 18, 1805 - Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean.

Sep. 23, 1806 - Lewis and Clark return from exploring the Louisiana Territory.

Feb. 3, 1809 - The Illinois Territory is organized.

Mar. 4, 1809 - James Madison is sworn in as the 4th President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1809 - George Clinton is sworn in as Vice President for a 2nd term.

Oct. 27, 1810 - The United States annexes what is now part of Alabama, part of Louisiana, and part of Mississippi.

Apr. 30, 1812 - Louisiana is the 18th state admitted to the Union.

May 14, 1812 - The Mississippi Territory is organized.

Jun. 4, 1812 - The Missouri Territory is organized.

War of 1812

Jun. 18, 1812 - United States declares war on Britain.

Mar. 4, 1813 - James Madison is sworn in as President for a 2nd term.

Mar. 4, 1813 - Elbridge Gerry is sworn in as the 5th Vice President for a 2nd term.

Aug. 24, 1814 - The British set fire to Washington, D.C.

Sep. 20, 1814 - The "Star-Spangled Banner" becomes the official national Anthem.

Dec. 24, 1814 - The United States and Britain sign the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.

Jan. 8, 1815 - American forces win the Battle of New Orleans (they didn't know the war is over).

The Era of Good Feelings

Dec. 11, 1816 - Indiana is the 19th state admitted to the Union.

Mar. 3, 1817 - The Alabama Territory is organized.

Mar. 4, 1817 - James Monroe is sworn in as the 5th President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1817 - Elbridge Gerry is sworn in as Vice President for a 2nd term.

Dec. 10, 1817 - Mississippi is the 20th state admitted to the Union.

Dec. 3, 1818 - Illinois is the 21st state admitted to the Union.

Feb. 22, 1819 - The United States annexes Florida.

Mar. 2, 1819 - The Arkansas Territory is organized.

Dec. 14, 1819 - Alabama is the 22nd state admitted to the Union.

Mar. 15, 1820 - Maine is the 23rd state admitted to the Union.

Mar. 4, 1821 - James Monroe is sworn in as President for a 2nd term.

Mar. 4, 1821 - Daniel Tompkins is sworn in as the 6th Vice President of the United States.

Aug. 10, 1821 - Missouri is the 24th state admitted to the Union.

Mar. 30, 1822 - The Florida Territory is organized.

Mar. 4, 1825 - John Quincy Adams is sworn in as the 6th President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1825 - John Calhoun is sworn in as the 7th Vice President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1829 - Andrew Jackson is sworn in as the 7th President of the United States.

Mar. 4, 1829 - John Calhoun is sworn in as Vice President for a 2nd term.