100 Turning Points in American History

Arnold J. Toynbee, the most famous professional historian of the twentieth century, is widely quoted as having declared that History is just one damn thing after another. This book argues that history is not about things at all but is all about turning pointsthe decisions, acts, innovations, errors, ideas, successes, and failures on which the shape of a nations lifeour livesdepends. It presents the 100 points at which Americas path decisively turned on its way to where we find ourselves today. Columbus arrives in the New World The first slaves arrive in America Independence is declared The Indian Removal Act is passed Female suffragists meet in Seneca Falls Harpers Ferry is raided Fort Sumter falls A transcontinental railroad is completed Edison lights his first electric lamp Prohibition makes America a nation of lawbreakers FDR offers a New Deal The B-29 Enola Gay drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima The Supreme Court decides Brown v. Board of Education Neil Armstrong sets foot on the moon President Nixon creates the EPA 9/11 Obama Sandy Hook Russian election meddling the Age of Trump These and many more are the crucial plot points in our grand national story, and best-selling historian Alan Axelrod presents them here.