American History Milestones You Need to Know

The history questions cluster around a handful of turning points. Learn the story and the individual answers become much easier to recall.

Founding and independence

• The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776.
• The Constitution was written in 1787 and sets up the government and its limits.
• The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments.

The 1800s

• The Louisiana Purchase expanded U.S. territory.
• The Civil War was fought over slavery and the survival of the Union.
• The Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in the Confederate states.

Recent history

• The United States fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War.
• The civil rights movement worked to end racial discrimination.
• September 11, 2001 was the date of terrorist attacks on the United States.

Symbols and holidays

The flag's 13 stripes represent the original colonies and its 50 stars the states. Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Juneteenth are among the national holidays covered in the question bank.