The turn of the year in American history is marked by significant transitions—from the strategic land acquisitions that defined the nation’s borders to the moral declarations that reshaped its social fabric. It is a period that often reflects the country’s dual nature: looking back to honor its founding struggles while simultaneously launching into the innovations of a new century.
December 30
- 1853: The Gadsden Purchase: U.S. Minister to Mexico James Gadsden and Mexican President Santa Anna signed a treaty for the U.S. to purchase roughly 30,000 square miles of land (now southern Arizona and New Mexico) for $10 million. The acquisition was vital for the planned southern route of the transcontinental railroad.
- 1862: Loss of the USS Monitor: The famous Union ironclad, which had survived the historic Battle of Hampton Roads, sank during a violent storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Sixteen crew members were lost as the “cheesebox on a raft” went down.
December 31
- 1879: Edison’s Light Bulb Demonstration: Thomas Edison gave his first public demonstration of the incandescent light bulb in Menlo Park, New Jersey. This event effectively signaled the end of the gaslight era and the beginning of the electrical age in America.
- 1904: The First New Year’s Eve in Times Square: Originally held to celebrate the opening of the new New York Times headquarters, this event replaced the traditional fireworks at Trinity Church. The iconic “ball drop” tradition would follow three years later in 1907.
January 1
- 1863: The Emancipation Proclamation: President Abraham Lincoln issued this historic executive order during the third year of the Civil War, declaring that “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.”
- 1892: Ellis Island Opens: The premier federal immigration station in New York Harbor opened its doors. Annie Moore, a teenager from Ireland, was the first of over 12 million immigrants to be processed through the facility over the next 60 years.
January 2
- 1788: Georgia Ratifies the Constitution: Georgia became the fourth state to join the Union. Its rapid ratification was driven largely by the hope that a strong federal government would provide protection against surrounding hostile forces on the frontier.
- 1960: JFK Announces His Candidacy: Then-Senator John F. Kennedy officially announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for President. His subsequent victory ushered in the “Camelot” era of American politics.
January 3
- 1777: The Battle of Princeton: General George Washington led his troops to a pivotal victory over British forces in New Jersey. Coming on the heels of the victory at Trenton, this battle significantly boosted the morale of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
- 1959: Alaska Becomes the 49th State: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Alaska to the Union. This marked the first time in 47 years that a new star was added to the American flag.
January 4
- 1896: Utah Becomes the 45th State: After decades of tension regarding the practice of polygamy, Utah was finally admitted to the Union. Admission was granted only after the LDS Church officially disavowed the practice and it was prohibited in the state constitution.
- 1790: The First State of the Union Address: President George Washington delivered the first “Annual Message” to Congress in New York City. He used the speech to advocate for a standing army, a uniform system of weights and measures, and the importance of education.
January 5
- 1925: First Female Governor Inaugurated: Nellie Tayloe Ross was sworn in as the Governor of Wyoming, becoming the first woman to serve as a state governor in U.S. history. She had won a special election following the death of her husband.
- 1933: Golden Gate Bridge Construction Begins: Workers began the daunting task of building the iconic suspension bridge in San Francisco. Despite the Great Depression, the project provided thousands of jobs and resulted in one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
