-
Oil discovered at Spindle-Top
The small town of Beaumont, Texas was propelled into the limelight when the Lucas Gusher blew. It launched a geyser 100 feet in the air and pumped out 100,000 barrels of oil in nine days. This discovery lead to the formation of major companies such as Texaco and Exxon. -
Wright Brothers take off at Kitty Hawk
On this memorable day two brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright,successfully flew their home-built airplane, the Wright Flier. It flew 120 feet, to claim the title of the first powered airplane flight. This invention would change the world forever. -
The Great White Fleet sets Sail
Alfred Thayer Mahan’s work, "The Influence of Sea Power upon History," caused President Theodore Roosevelt to commission the building of a fleet of mighty battleships. The mission of The Great White Fleet of 16 battleships, was to sail around the world and exhibit America's claim to global power. -
US Troops sent to Nicaragua
This was an excellent example of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This stated that the US had the right to be a "police power" and enforce the payment of loans as well as endorse international leaders that would be pro-American. The movement of troops into Nicaragua was allegedly to punish the rebels who had killed two US citizens. In reality, it was to preserve U.S. control by helping to solidify a favorable leader as head of the government. -
Pancho Villa Raids Columbus New Mexico
Pancho Villa, a popular Mexican revolutionary, invaded Columbus New Mexico in retaliation for US support of his rivals. President Woodrow Wilson sent General "Black Jack" Pershing into northern Mexico with a small army to punish Villa. He was unsuccessful but the lessons learned in the pursuit became invaluable during WW1. -
US declares war against the Central Powers
By 1917 President Wilson was feeling that if Germany won the war in Europe it would drastically alter the balance of power and hurt the trade of the United States. At the same time, Germany, recognizing that America was about to join the Allies, re-declared unrestricted submarine warfare and sent the infamous Zimmerman Telegram. These actions incited the ire of the people and Congress declared war at the request of the President on April 6th, 1917. -
Spanish Flu Spans the Globe
The Spanish flu spread across the world in the late 1910's and continued until the early 20's. More U.S. soldiers died from the Influenza than the First World War. -
Prohibition
Due to the lobbying of many Temperance Societies on the moral deprivation that accompanied alcoholism and the support of factory owners who felt that the lack of alcohol would lead to more efficient workers. The 18th amendment was ratified. The effectiveness of the law is debatable, since a large illicit market immediately sprang up. As a negative side-effect, prohibition also inadvertently encouraged the creation of gangs under people such as Al Capone. -
The Treaty of Versailles is Signed
After Kaiser Wilhelm III abdicated, the New Republic entered into peace negotiations with the Allies. At the Treaty of Versailles Germany lost many of their outlying territories and was forced to pay large remunerations to the Allied Powers. The effectiveness of the treaty is doubtful, considering that World War 2 happened only two decades later.
