The ten dates that were selected by the History Channel while consulting a group of distinguished historians each triggered a series of events that shaped and molded America. Though they all have an enormous impact on American history, culture, and legacy many other dates not mentioned also produced extreme changes throughout America’s history.
January 24, 1848: Gold Rush: Eliminated
The California gold rush drastically changed America in numerous ways. It facilitated economic growth and prosperity in the west. In addition, it “inspired perhaps the largest mass movement of people in world history. ‘Neither the Crusades nor Alexander’s expeditions to India (all things considered) can equal this emigration to California,’ wrote one
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On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat to a white person. Rosa Parks is quoted as saying, "I thought about Emmett Till, and I could not go back. My legs and feet were not hurting, that is a stereotype. I paid the same fare as others, and I felt violated." Her act of civil disobedience led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the emergence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a powerful leader in the fight for civil rights, all powerful symbols of the civil rights movement. (Crowe, n.d.)
September 9, 1956: When America Was Rocked (by Elvis): Eliminated
Ellvis Presly was the “white man with the Negro sound and the Negro feel” that Sam Phillips was looking for. Elvis, using the modern TV and radio to spread his music, became a figure head for the rebellious new teenagers of the mid-twentieth century. His image was of a sexy rebel who challenged the sexual and social conventions of the times instigating much social change. (Gillon, n.d.) While Elvis did have a devastating impact on the culture of America so, too, did the Harlem Renaissance, which made it possible for Elvis to sing the type of songs he did by setting the stage not just in music, but in many other areas of American culture.
February 12, 1909: The Founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The
The NAACP was established in 1909 in New York City by a gathering of bi-racial activists.
May 26, 1637 was a fateful day in the history of America. The actions of Major John Mason and his Puritan men set a precedent for the next two hundred years of European and Indian relations. On that clear May night near the Mystic River of New England, hundreds of Pequot Indians were killed by the Europeans and their allies, most of the victims being the elderly, women, and children. This massacre was a massive turning point in the Pequot War, effectively ruining the tribe. Already weakened by disease and by competing native tribes, the Pequot were quickly routed and by September 21, 1638 the war ended with the Treaty of Hartford. The treaty
The book 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America written by Steven M. Gillon is a book written obviously about 10 days that most people would not expect to have changed American history. Steven M. Gillon is a resident historian of The History Channel as well as a professor of Modern US History at The University of Oklahoma. Not Only does he teach Mr. Gillon has also learned, earning his Ph.D. from Brown University. Steven M. Gillon has also written a numerous number of books, some of his recent books being; Pearl Harbor: FDR Leads the Nation to War (2011), The Kennedy Assassination--24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson's Pivotal First Day as President (2010), The Pact: Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and the Rivalry that Defined a Generation (2008), The American Paradox: A History of the United States Since 1945 (2006), and 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America (2006). 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America is a book that talks about many days, obviously that were critcal to US history, the time plot being from the late 1630s to late 1960s. This book was written based off a documentary about the same ten days. However, in Gillon’s book different reasoning is provided. Unfortunately for this book one cannot watch the documentary instead of reading the book and judge the book off the documentary.
The Gold Rush during the mid 1800s had a major impact on the movement westward. People traveled thousands of miles across all kinds of rugged terrain in pursuit of wealth and riches. The large amount of settlers in California during this time created a state full of diversity which remains the same to this day. These enormous amounts of people, however, made it difficult for the economy to support the ones who weren’t so lucky. On top of this, there was also a huge destruction of the Native population, and even discrimination against other newcomers. The Gold Rush also created significant environmental hazards throughout the area that are still a problem today. All these things are solid indicators that the Gold Rush actually had a negative impact on California.
After the United States acquired so much more territory, the push for expansion accelerated and spurred development of an American transcontinental railroad line. The California Gold Rush of 1848 fanned the flames of westward exploration and settlement. One of the biggest challenges was finding the most suitable route.
The gold rush was significant for it helped jumpstart Americas economy and eventually led up to the construction of a transcontinental railroad, something that had failed many times. California benefited greatly as migrants added to the incredible diversity of the workforce. Eventually all of this would lead up to the creation of California’s technology industry.
“My eye was caught with the glimpse of something shining at the bottom of the ditch” - James Marshall. The California Gold Rush officially went into full motion on January 24th of 1848. Although many events contributed to or caused the California Gold Rush, the most important events were the Westward Expansion, the discovery of gold, and immigration for work. The Westward Expansion contributed to the development of the California Gold Rush by having the Oregon Trail is one of the trails opened. By the Oregon Trail, most people were roaming along other paths such as the California Trail and others that came to be during the 1840’s. The Westward Expansion was also a way for families to move along in order to start a new phase in their lives. Another pivotal event was the discovery of gold. It led to several immigrants not only local but several from Peru, Australia, China, etc. This also created job opportunities. In addition, immigration contributed to the Gold Rush by as said before several immigrants from around the world coming. Mining also became a large job. Not only for the hunt for gold but for other natural resources such as silver, copper, and oil. These three events contributed to the mass migrations and large
The hardships of joining the California gold rush was done by many in attempt of richness. The California gold rush was a popular time in America’s history when gold was found in California. Creating chaos the population of California increased greatly as others came to search for gold. While, the gold rush increased California’s population and economy it was also the beginning of Manifest Destiny. Though, the gold rush helped California it had an overall negative effect on America through overcrowded population and outbreaks of cholera.
The California Gold Rush of 1849 was a major point in history that involved the colonization of the far west, the hunt for gold, and many issues to go along with it. During a period where nothing was really advancing or happening, many people began to look for a new job or a new way to make some form of money. In times like that, there are little to no jobs available. Some people managed to fine gold in the west, and a lot of it, specifically located in California. As people began telling others about it, the information eventually spread throughout the continent. Eventually, thousands of people were migrating out west in search of gold to get rich on.
In December of 1955, Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus and refused to give up her seat to a white male. She was later arrested and put in jail. This caused the black people of Montgomery to initiate a boycott, the refusal to use the services of the bus company. They did this in order to gain
The California gold rush was a major event that affected not only California, but also the entire outcome of our nation. This all started January 24,1848 when James Marshall, discovered a shiny metal in the American River.
Why was the California Gold Rush important? First some background information about this past event was that the California gold rush had began on the 24th of January in 1848, when a man named James W. Marshall had discovered a gold nugget in the American River. This was during the construction of a sawmill for John Sutter, who was a Sacramento agriculturalist. The news of James Marshall discovering this gold nugget had brought thousands of immigrants to California and even brought people from elsewhere in the United States and even from other countries. “When the gold rush began, California had a population of fourteen thousand; by the end of 1849, there were an estimated one hundred thousand in the former Mexican province.”
The discovery of the California Gold Rush took place by chance. Mainly the amount of the world’s gold is deep underground and embedded in hard rock. Unlike anywhere else in the world at that time the gold in California was simple to dig up, free for the taking and required little tools to acquire any gold. Only things required: a pick or shovel and a pan to shift out the gold from the rock, sand and debris. The Gold Rush affected not only California, but the outcome of the nation. Creating the expansion of our nation into Western America and California. Hundreds of thousand Americans and foreigners moved toward the Sierra Nevada’s, with the hopes of sticking it rich. Which impacted the social life and the economy, while effected the rest of the country. Producing a number of diverse people seeking to make a fortune, influenced California and the American life.
Event one is the American Revolution. This event was a war between The New Country United States vs. the Great Britain. The United States were once part of England but wanted to declare freedom from them. They had a big war because England refused to accept this. George Washington led his army to victory and declared independance. This is The most important event because, if this didn’t happen, we wouldn’t even be a country.
On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks, a black female, refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white person on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus. Eventually, two policemen approached the stopped bus and Rosa Parks was arrested. Rosa Parks is known today as the “mother of the civil rights movement” because this is what started it. Parks’ arrest is what led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rosa Parks wrote in her autobiography, “people always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” The inspirational woman received many awards for her bravery including 1980’s Martin Luther King Jr. Award, 1995’s Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award, and 1999’s congressional Gold Medal. Rosa Parks was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill