2006-07-07 13:57:15 · 29 answers · asked by val20 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
George Washington stepping down after serving his terms. A really small and simple act but really solidified the idea of Democracy, he could have seized power for a life term with the backing of the congress and the army thus setting a precedent for all presidents to follow.
Must have took amazing fortitude to step away from all that. ONLY FDR under the crisis of WW2 has ever served more than two terms friggen amazing of you think about it
2006-07-07 17:56:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most people would agrue July 4, 1776 the day the Declaration of Independence was voted on. However I would agrue that the most important even is the ratifaction of the U.S. Constitution. This even secured us as our own independent and sovereign nation because now it was States that were united in everything. Before this time under the Articles of Confederation the "Government" was so weak it was ridiculous. For example the States had the right to coin money not the Government, with this how could the Government pay off it's War Debt if there were 13 different forms of currency in the young nation. Yes friends it's the Constitution and not the Declaration that is more important.
2006-07-07 16:47:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you mean after the Revolution (before 1783, there was no United States), I'd have to say the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War--July 1863. Don't forget: at this point, Robert E. Lee had invaded the North--he was taking the fight up and over Maryland and Washington DC. If the South had decisively defeated the North at Gettysburg, there was probably nothing to stop them from cutting off DC and effectively winning the Civil War. At which point there would no longer BE a United States. If you want to get more specific, Pickett's Charge on the third day of the battle, when Lee took his last shot at winning and failed. After that, he had to retreat back south. Literally, the existence of the country hung in the balance, in a way that no other event after the Revolution matched.
2006-07-07 14:35:01 · answer #3 · answered by zeebaneighba 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For what purpose?
In theory, all major events, and possibly all minor events, in United States history is important.
Heck, you can say the discovery of the New World as the most important event (though not in United States history) as there wouldn't be an United States history without it.
2006-07-07 14:00:50 · answer #4 · answered by instantly_oatmeal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The British allowing the Pilgrims to come over to the current East Coast to create 13 colonies(eventually). Also, in an attached subject the willinglness of the native tribes to help them; had they know how history was going to turn out they should have killed them or denied them permition to land (like the modern INS does now, no Wet/dry feet policy for the Pilgrims)Without the early settlers creating the original colonies there could have been no U.S. Now it becomes a subject of debate if the revolution was a legitimate separation of the colonies from England or a selfish act of arrogance by the Colonists unwilling to cover the costs of maintaining the British colonies.
2006-07-10 09:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by luiscepero 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The American Revolution. Without it, there is no United States history. Plus, it was one of the most amazing upsets in history. A bunch of teenagers and farmers went up against the most powerful military in the world - and won!
2006-07-07 14:01:31 · answer #6 · answered by Farly the Seer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The capture of English Commander in Chief Cornwallis by Lafayette in Virginia. That was the end of the American Revolution War and the English soon surrendered control of the states to the colonist.
2006-07-07 14:15:28 · answer #7 · answered by mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Constitution of the United States is ratified (June 21,1788) and the Bill of Rights (1st 10 Amendments) ratified (Dec. 15, 1791).
The Constitution established our form of government with the words "We the People" and the first ten amendments protect our rights like Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Press, etc.
We have been governed by these documents ever since.
2006-07-07 14:36:43 · answer #8 · answered by Roswellfan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first time the United States invaded a sovereign nation without provocation. At least that's what the future will say.
2006-07-07 14:01:38 · answer #9 · answered by Eric W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe not #1 ... but some others to go high on the list
* Constitution and Bill of Rights
* Louisiana Purchase - shaped the western expansion and manifest destiny
* Emancipation Proclamation and Womens Sufferage - going on record that the 'American Dream' was for everybody
* 9/11
* Al Gore inventing the internet and Dan Quayle trying to figure out where was the beef
2006-07-08 15:55:01 · answer #10 · answered by one_observation 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋