The Gilded Age 1876-1900

United States of America &gt; United States History &gt; The Gilded Age 1876-1900

Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner coined the term The Gilded Age in their 1873 book, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. This era was one of extensive and substantial growth in industry and immigrants. Millions of immigrants came ashore in a ten year span and their movement about the country was made easier with the expansion of the railroad, the extended Erie Canal plus more progress in transportation. Coal, Gold, and Silver mining boosted the economy. Several immigration laws were enacted.

Timeline

 * 1876: The Centennial Exposition was held to celebrate the first 100 years of signing of the Declaration of Independence. This giant 3 mile long fair was held in Philadelphia in May. America's inventions were displayed including the typewriter, telephone, Hires Root Beer, and the mimeograph. 10,000,000 people marveled at this great celebration.


 * 1880: The U.S. population is 50,155,783 of which 6,600,000 are foreign born. More than 5.2 million immigrants enter the country between 1880 and 1890.


 * 1881: James Garfield is sworn in as the 20th President of the United States with Chester Arthur as Vice President. Chester Arthur is sworn in as the 21st President of the United States. The Alaska Territory is organized.
 * 1882: Chinese exclusion law is established. Russian anti-Semitism prompts a sharp rise in Jewish emigration.


 * 1885: Grover Cleveland is sworn in as the 22nd President of the United States with Thomas Hendricks as Vice President.


 * 1889: Benjamin Harrison is sworn in as the 23rd President of the United States with Levi Morton as Vice President. North Dakota, and South Dakota obtain statehood, both were part of Dakota Territory before statehood. Montana and Washington become states.


 * 1890: New York is home to as many Germans as Hamburg, Germany. The Oklahoma Territory is organized. Idaho and Wyoming become states.
 * 1891: The Bureau of Immigration is established. Congress adds health qualifications to immigration restrictions.


 * 1892: Ellis Island replaces Castle Garden.


 * 1893: March 4; Grover Cleveland is sworn in as the 24th President of the United States with Adlai Stevenson is sworn in as the Vice President of the United States.


 * 1894 to 1896: To escape Moslem massacres, Armenian Christians emigrate.


 * 1896: January 4; Utah is the 45th state admitted to the Union.


 * 1897: March 4; 1897 - William McKinley is sworn in as the 25th President of the United States with Garret Hobart as Vice President. Pine-frame buildings on Ellis Island are burned to the ground in a disastrous fire.

The Spanish-American War '''
 * 1898: The United States declares war on Spain. For more information about the Spanish American War and its battles see the Spanish American War Page along with individual State Military Pages. The United States annexes Hawaii. The United States and Spain sign an armistice, ending the Spanish-American War. The United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Paris 1898, officially ending the Spanish-American War.


 * 1899 to 1929: Natives of north America lives were documented in photographs by Edward S. Curtis.


 * 1899:The United States annexes Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.