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#1 The Ratification of the 19th Amendment
After almost a century of groups such as NAWSA and NWP campaigning for women's rights, the 19th Amendment was finally certified on August 26, 1920. This amendment gave American women the right to vote and changed the history of our country forever. a). The passing of the 19th Amendment is pivotal to America's history because it allowed women to drift away from their stereotypical roles in society and start to change the world. c). The event impacts all women today, including b). me because it allowed us more freedoms and more control over what happens in our country.
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#2 Henry Ford
Henry Ford was the founder of Ford Motor Company. He was born in Dearborn, Michigan in 1863 and died in 1947. a). Henry Ford changed the history of America because he developed revolutionary production techniques and helped make the car accessible to everyone. c). Henry Ford impacts our society today because Ford Motor Company is still a household name in America, and is still working on cutting edge technologies to improve the industry of transportation. b). Henry Ford effects me because, without his development in the automobile industry, I would not be able to get my license next year.
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#3 Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German physicist who was best known for developing the theory of relativity. Einstein, one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, was born in 1879 and died in 1955. a). Albert Einstein's work is very pivotal to our nation's history because his discovery of E=MC2 foreshadowed the development of the atomic bomb which ended WWII. c). Many of Einstein's theories and discoveries are relevant in today's society, they helped pave the way for more scientific discoveries, especially in the field of physics. b). I think Einstein was an interesting and brilliant man who should be an inspiration to everyone because he proved to the many people who doubted him, that he was very special.
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#4 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin
In 1936, Nazi Germany controversially hosted both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. Although many countries attempted to boycott the German Olympics, due to the rapidly intensifying political climate surrounding Germany at that time, no country was successful in doing so. Hitler saw these Olympics as an opportunity to prove to the world that the Aryan race was "superior" to everyone else. However, his plan backfired when the famous American athlete Jessie Owens beat Germany's runners. c). This proved to the world that Hitler's ideology about the superiority and the insuperiority of particular races was not true. a). These Olympics were significant to American History because they foreshadowed WWII to come. b). I think that the 1936 Olympics are important to study because they prove that no one is better than anyone else because of their lineage.
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#5 The Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl was a natural phenomenon which occurred in the 1930's when a series of high winds swept through the drought-ridden southern plains, causing crops to fail, and intensifying the effects of the great depression. a). This event is a pivotal point in American History because it was one of the most detrimental occurrences during the great depression, and it proved that sometimes the "American dream" does not come true. c). It is important to study this event in today's society because learning about the harsh conditions which people faced as a result of this makes us appreciate what we have. b). I picked this event because I recently read the Grapes of Wrath and wanted to learn more about this period in American History because it is so important.
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#6 Prohibition
The ratification of the 18th amendment, otherwise known as prohibition, was a time in American History when alcohol was prohibited. a). Prohibition is an important historical time in America because the government used a lot of power, forcing the legislation to grapple with what it means to be a democracy and how much a democratic government can do. c). Prohibition is relevant to today's society because speakeasies, an establishment which illegally sold alcohol during prohibition, are an iconic symbol in today's culture. b). I think prohibition is an interesting era to study, I am especially fascinated with the fact that the ban of alcohol led to a spike in criminal and gang activity.
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#7 The Discovery of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the famous ancient Incan city, was discovered on Jul 24, 1911, by American archeologist Hiram Bingham. a). The discovery of Machu Picchu is important to American History because it helped make American archeologists reputable among their peers. c). This amazing discovery is important to today's society because Machu Picchu is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The discovery of the famous landmark also helped historians learn more about the Incan civilization. b). Machu Picchu is a place where I've always wanted to visit. I am also fascinated by archeology and am even considering it as a possible career path for me.
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#8 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of the most important American Novels. Written by Betty Smith in 1943, the book is about the life of a little girl living in New York City and takes place between the years of 1900 to 1917. a). A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is an important piece of literature to American History because it was very popular at the time of its publication since it represented a simpler time, before the world wars. c). It is relevant to today's society because it teaches people about an important era in US history. b). I love this book because it proves that, the American Dream can come true and it is very inspiring.
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#9 The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution took place in 1917 when the unhappy Russian citizens forced the Tsar to abdicate the throne. a). It is important to American History because it spurred the creation of the Soviet Union and ultimately is the cause of the Cold War. c). It is relevant to today's society because it is an interesting time to study. b). I know very little about the Russian Revolution, however, I have thought it is a fascinating time. I also am very amused by the story of Rasputin and his unconventional death.
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#10 The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a 50-mile waterway through Panama. It was built by the US in 1904 and is considered a feat of engineering. a). The Panama Canal is important to American History because the US controlled the passageway until 1999 which gave them a lot of power in Central America. c). It is important to today's society because it is still used and heavily impacts the industries of shipping and transport. b). I think the Panama Canal is interesting, especially the way that malaria-carrying mosquitos were gotten rid of during the building process.
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