Key Events in America 1920-1973

Key Events in America (1920-1973)

• Congress refused to join the League of Nations, reflecting isolationist sentiments in 1919.
• The Volstead Act, enforcing Prohibition, went into effect in January 1920.
• The trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, which highlighted issues of racism and injustice, began in May 1921.
• Herbert Hoover was elected President in 1928, representing Republican policies of the time.
• The Wall Street Crash in October 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
• The 1930s experienced severe droughts and winds, leading to farm struggles and widespread famine.
• The Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans demanding payment for their service bonuses, marched in 1932.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was elected president in 1932, promising recovery and reform.
• The New Deal was introduced in 1933, consisting of programs aimed at economic recovery.
• A 'Second wave' of The New Deal occurred in 1935, expanding federal initiatives.
• World War II began in 1939, significantly impacting the U.S. economy and society.
• The Lend-Lease program commenced in 1941, providing support to Allied nations pre-war.
• The U.S. officially joined WWII in December 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• World War II concluded in 1945, reshaping global dynamics.
• McCarthyism and the Red Scare erupted around 1950, fueled by fears of communism.
• Senator McCarthy lost political favor after attacking the Army in 1953-54, marking the decline of his influence.
• The landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board occurred in 1954, declaring racial segregation in schools unconstitutional.
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott took place from 1955-56, protesting racial segregation in public transportation.
• Little Rock, Arkansas, became a focal point in 1957 for school desegregation efforts.
• Sit-ins emerged as a form of protest against segregation in 1960-61.
• Freedom Riders traveled from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans in May 1961, challenging segregation in interstate travel.
• The March on Washington in August 1963 brought attention to civil rights issues.
• The Equal Pay Act was enacted in 1963, aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on gender.
• President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, leading to Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency.
• The Clean Air Act was passed by Johnson in 1963, addressing environmental concerns.
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 established general equality under the law, prohibiting discrimination.
• Race riots occurred across North America from 1965-67, reflecting social unrest.
• The Water Quality Act was passed in 1965, aiming to improve water safety and quality.
• Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, a significant loss to the civil rights movement.
• The Selma Catalyst in 1965 intensified voting rights activism.
• The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.
• The National Organization for Women (NOW) was established in 1966 to advocate for women's rights.
• The Black Panthers were formed in 1966, focusing on self-defense and community welfare.
• The 12th Street Riot took place in 1967, indicative of urban tension and dissatisfaction.
• The "Fair Housing" Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1968, addressing housing discrimination.
• Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, impacting the civil rights movement deeply.
• The Supreme Court's ruling on Equal Rights occurred in 1972, addressing gender equality issues.
• Opposition to equal rights escalated in 1972, demonstrating societal divisions over civil rights progress.
• Roe v. Wade in 1973 legalized abortion, establishing a significant moment in reproductive rights.
• Medicare and Medicaid were implemented by Johnson in 1965, providing healthcare support for the elderly and low-income individuals.
• The Development Act passed in 1964 aimed at urban development and renewal programs.