American Government: Chronology

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At a Glance American Government: Chronology

July 5, 1775- The Continental Congress September 14, 1786- The Annapolis sends the Olive Branch Petition to King Convention adjourns after calling for a George in the hopes of making peace. King convention to convene the following spring George rejects the petition. to amend the Articles of Confederation.

July 4, 1776- The Continental Congress February 4, 1787- Shays’ Rebellion ends approves the Declaration of Independence. when the Massachusetts militia defeats Thomas Jefferson is the document’s primary Shays’ forces known as “Shaysites.” Shays author. and his men flee to Vermont.

June 14, 1777- The Continental Congress February 21, 1787- Congress approves a adopts the stars and stripes as the national convention in Philadelphia to amend the flag. The flag will fly for the first time in Articles of Confederation. Maryland on September 3. May 3, 1787- James Madison arrives in November 15, 1777- The Continental Philadelphia early for Convention. Congress approves the Articles of Confederation. This establishes the United May 13, 1787- George Washington arrives States' first constitution. The Articles are for Convention. officially ratified in 1781. May 25, 1787- The Constitutional September 27, 1779- John Adams is Convention officially begins. selected to negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain. May 29, 1787- Edmund Randolph presents the Virginia Plan for consideration (although March 1, 1781- The states officially ratify James Madison is the author). Charles the Articles of Confederation. Pinckney presents his plan for the new constitution. September 3, 1783- The Treaty of Paris officially ends the American Revolution and May 31, 1787- The delegates debate establishes the United States as a free and representation of the states in the new independent country. government.

December 23, 1783- George Washington June 1, 1787- The delegates debate the resigns his command of the Continental power of the executive in the new Army. government.

August 29, 1786- Shays’ Rebellion begins June 11, 1787- Roger Sherman proposes the after farmers in Massachusetts are unable to Great Compromise. pay their taxes. June 15, 1787- William Paterson proposes September 11, 1786- The Annapolis the New Jersey Plan. Convention begins in Maryland

June 21, 1787- The delegates debated the March 1, 1790- Congress orders the first issue of federalism. census of the nation. (The country’s population is 3,929,214.) June 13, 1787- Congress passes the Northwest Ordinance. March 3, 1791- Congress establishes the United States Mint. August 21, 1787- The delegates debate the issue of slavery in the Constitution. December 15, 1791- The first ten amendments to the United States September 12, 1787- The delegates debate Constitution are ratified and become the Bill the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. of Rights.

September 17, 1787- The delegates sing the April 5, 1792- President Washington used final draft of the Constitution. the constitutional power of the presidential veto for the first time. September 28, 1787- Congress approves the Constitution and sends it to the states for May 17, 1792- The New York Stock consideration. Exchange is established with the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement. October 5, 1787- The first Anti-Federalist October 13, 1792- Construction of the letter is published. It argues against Executive Mansion (later the White House) ratification of the new Constitution.

is begun in Washington, D.C. October 27, 1787- The first Federalist August 20, 1794- General Anthony Wayne Paper is published. defeats an alliance of American Indian tribes June 21, 1788- The Constitution is ratified in the Northwest Territory at the Battle of when New Hampshire votes to adopt the Fallen Timbers. new framework for government. September 1794- The Whiskey Rebellion February 4, 1789- The first Congress meets begins in western Pennsylvania. Farmers at Federal Hall in New York City. The refuse to pay the tax on liquor, and 15,000 United States Constitution is declared to be militia are sent to put down the rebellion. in effect. November 13, 1794- Great Britain and the April 30, 1789- George Washington is United States sign Jay's Treaty with the sworn in as the country's first President. intention of settling all outstanding issues between the two nations. September 25, 1789- Congress submits the Bill of Rights to the states. August 3, 1795- General Anthony Wayne and members of the Indian Confederacy sign January 8, 1790- President George the Treaty of Greenville. The United States Washington gives the first State of the now controls the Northwest Territory. Union address.

September 19, 1796- President George Washington gives his farewell address to the nation as he ends two terms as president.

December 7, 1796- John Adams is elected the second President of the United States.

January 3, 1797- The Treaty of Tripoli is signed ending hostilities with the Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea.

March 4, 1797- John Adams is sworn in as president.

July 14, 1798- Congress passes the Alien and Sedition Acts making it a crime to speak maliciously against the United States. The Alien and Sedition Acts also places restrictions on immigrants and foreigners

March 29, 1799- New York passes a law that gradually outlaws slavery.