I was a shameless C+ history student in high school, but discovered that I am fascinated by history (especially US History) as an adult. What follows are my index cards on key events (in no particular order) as I come across them... Will be updated as I add more (often).

1. A BRIEF US HISTORY
by Robert James
firstnamerobertlastnamejames.wordpress.com

2. Introduction
Although an average history student in high school, I find
history fascinating as an adult. What follows are my
running brief highlights of key US events*, in no particular
order. I will continue to add to this often.
*American history began with the Native Americans long
long ago, but most of this is based on the European/US
version of history.

3. Homestead Act (1862)
To encourage Americans to expand west and to increase
non-slave farms during The Civil War, the US government
gave 100s of acres of land to every (white) head of
household who farmed a parcel of land for 5 years. The
US actually had a series of land give-aways that begin in
1841, were extended to blacks in 1866, and lasted into the
20th century.

4. The Fall of Constantinople (1453)
In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople
(modern day Istanbul), which sat atop the roads that gave
European monarchs access to spices in China and India.
Since the Ottomans controlled land access to Asia,
Europeans sought new ways -- by sea. While Portugal
sailed south and east, Spain financed Columbus’s proposal
to sail west.

5. King Phillips War (1675)
For nearly 50 years, there had been a complex peace
between the colonists and the Native Americans in “New
England.” But as 20,000 more English colonists moved
into New England during The Great Migration, as terms of
the peace were stretched or violated, and as more English
settled on Native American lands, four tribes of Native
Americans waged a bloody14-month war against the New
England colonists/militias. Towns were completely
destroyed, thousands were killed before Chief Metacom
was killed and the war ended. After the war, the surviving
Native Americans fled or were enslaved, and England had
essentially all of New England available to settle.

6. The Battle of Saratoga (1777)
In a battle that would make Benedict Arnold an American
war hero (before his defection to England, that is), the
Americans defeat the British in a series of three battles at
Saratoga (NY). The victory is an important moment in US
History – it encourages Europe to support (politically,
militarily and financially) the Americans in their battle for
independence. (France had an ulterior motive in their
support: it would weaken the English, who’d taken control
of America by defeating the French in The Seven Years
War).

7. England outs the Dutch (1664)
After several years of leap frogging and posturing between
the Dutch, English and Swedish in northeast North
America, the Dutch (New Netherland) conquer Sweden
(New Sweden) in 1655, and the Dutch surrender to
England in 1664. Now, Spain holds much of southern North
America (including Florida) while England and France own
most of central and eastern North America. It will remain
this way for nearly 90 years.

8. National Labor Union (1866)
The National Labor Union was the first national federated
union (there were previous attempts at local unions).
Instead of bargaining with employers, they took the
approach of influencing legislation. Although they lasted
only a few years, the National Labor Union paved the way
for future unions that would usher in 8 hour work days,
safer work conditions and better wages.

9. To Be Continued

10. World History

11. The Battle of Marnes (1914)
Early in World War 1, after Germany surged through
France to the edge of Paris in the Battle of the Frontiers,
the French and British armies launched a ferocious all out
attack against the Germans in The Battle of Marnes. This
was a critical battle in World War I: Paris (and France) were
saved, the Germans were pushed back nearly 50 miles and
both sides dug in; hopes for a quick war ended, and the
stage was set for the extended trench-war stalemate that
followed. There were nearly a million casualties in the first
few months of the war.

12. About Me
I am middle-aged sales guy who writes for the fun of it. My
random thoughts are posted on
Firstnamerobertlastnamejames.wordpress.com