Events with tag - United States

May 25, 1787

Constitutional Convention of 1787

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal gathering in Philadelphia where 55 delegates from 12 states met to draft the United States Constitution, establishing a new system of federal government to replace the Articles of Confederation.

April 14, 1865

Lincoln Assassination at Ford's Theatre

President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth during a performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. This tragic event marked the first presidential assassination in American history and occurred just days after the Civil War's end.

April 1, 1945

Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945) was the last major battle of World War II in the Pacific Theater, involving 180,000 US troops against 130,000 Japanese defenders. The battle resulted in over 250,000 casualties including military personnel and civilians.

August 6, 1945

Atomic Bombings of Japan

The United States conducted atomic bombings of Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, resulting in massive destruction and Japan's surrender in World War II. These events marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare.

August 9, 1945

Nagasaki Atomic Bombing

The United States dropped the atomic bomb 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki, Japan, killing approximately 74,000 people and destroying 68% of the city's industrial district. This second atomic bombing, following Hiroshima, led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

March 12, 1947

Cold War Origins

The Cold War emerged as a global conflict between the United States and Soviet Union following World War II, marked by ideological differences, military tensions, and the formation of opposing alliances.

June 25, 1950

Korean War Begins

On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces launched a massive invasion of South Korea, marking the beginning of the Korean War. The surprise attack involved 90,000 troops supported by Soviet-made tanks and aircraft, quickly overwhelming South Korean defenses.

October 4, 1957

The Space Race

The Space Race was a period of competition between the United States and Soviet Union from 1957 to 1969, marked by achievements in space exploration and technological advancement. It began with the launch of Sputnik 1 and culminated in the Moon landing.

May 1, 1960

U-2 Spy Plane Incident

On May 1, 1960, Soviet forces shot down a U.S. U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers over Sverdlovsk, USSR. The incident caused a major diplomatic crisis between the United States and Soviet Union, leading to the collapse of the Paris Summit.

April 17, 1961

Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed military invasion of Cuba by CIA-trained Cuban exiles attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government. The operation lasted three days and resulted in a complete failure, strengthening Castro's position and pushing Cuba closer to the Soviet Union.

October 16, 1962

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day nuclear standoff between the US and USSR triggered by the discovery of Soviet missile sites in Cuba, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war. The crisis was resolved through diplomatic negotiations, resulting in the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba and US missiles from Turkey.

May 26, 1972

SALT I Treaty Signing

The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) was signed in Moscow by US President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, marking a historic agreement to limit nuclear arms and missile systems between the two superpowers.

December 26, 1991

End of the Cold War

The Cold War officially concluded on December 26, 1991, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, marking the end of decades-long geopolitical tensions between the United States and USSR. This historic event was preceded by several crucial developments including the fall of the Berlin Wall and Gorbachev's reforms.

May 7, 1992

27th Amendment Ratification

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified after an unprecedented 203-year delay, becoming the most recent constitutional amendment. It prevents Congress from implementing immediate pay raises for its members.