Important Historical Events

America celebrates important historical events with fun celebrations across the country. Sometimes these events are studied in classrooms, but after that, we sometimes tend to forget the actual dates of these events.

On this page, you will find a historical events timeline from early American history through the end of the Civil War. These events shaped America and should be remembered. Further on down the page, you'll find a Historical Events calendar that has some current historical events, re-enactments and celebrations (you can add your important historical events to the calendar by using the form at the bottom of this page!).

• Columbus sets foot on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas and is credited with "discovering" America - October 12, 1492
• Stamp Act - March 22, 1765
• Boston Massacre - March 5, 1770
• The Boston Tea Party - December 16, 1773
• Shots fired at Lexington and Concord, beginning of the Revolutionary War - April 19, 1775
• Battle of Bunker Hill - June 17, 1775
• Declaration of Independence signing - July 4, 1776
• Articles of Confederation - November 15, 1777
• The British army surrenders at Yorktown - October 19, 1781
• England officially declares an end to hostilities in America - February 4, 1783
• Treaty of Paris is signed by United States and Great Britain - September 3, 1783
• Unveiling of the US Constitution - September 17, 1787
• George Washington elected first President of the United States - April 6, 1789
• Bill of Rights Amendments added - December 15, 1789
• Louisiana Purchase - November 30, 1803
• War of 1812 begins - June 18, 1812
• War of 1812 ends with Treat of Ghent - December 24, 1814
• Civil War begins with first shots fired at Fort Sumter - April 12, 1861
• President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at Gettysburg - November 19, 1863
• Civil War ends with General Lee's surrender - April 9, 1865
• President Abraham Lincoln assassinated - April 14, 1865

British Surrender at Yorktown, 1781, Effectively Ending the American Revolution

If you enjoy participating or watching historical re-enactments, maybe you'd like to take up a new hobby that would enable you to learn more about history? And maybe just find some historical treasures along the way! Metal detecting and treasure hunting is a great way to discover more about the history around you. The website Metal Detecting - Ghost Towns of the East is a great place to start learning more about this exciting hobby. Through his website, videos, ebooks and television show, Frank will help you learn about this fun and exciting hobby!

The Gettysburg Festival is a great place to see some great music, theater, and historical events. Held this year (2012) on June 18th through the 17th, you are sure to have fun and learn lots there!

From Independence day celebrations to Constitution day activities, there are many historical events and celebrations available for the perfect long weekend or your next vacation. This page also serves as a list of important historical events and celebrations that visitors to American History Fun Facts have submitted. It will eventually include a list of events and activities scheduled all across the United States.

If you know of an event, or are involved in planning an event or celebration relating to United States history, please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit it. Your event will become a post on the American History Fun Facts blog, and will also become it's own page on this website.

Historical events and the celebrations of those events allow us to learn more about American history and celebrate the historical events of our past. Many schools offer special programs about historical dates, events and American holidays.

Paul Revere's Engraving of the Boston Massacre Buy From Art.com

When listing your event or celebration, please be sure to include the name, date and place. If you have photos of past events, they can be posted also. Tell us a little about your event, and be sure to mention your website address and e-mail address, if you want my visitors to be able to contact you.

If you are sharing information about Civil War reenactments, please use the form on our Civil War Reenactments page to share those details.