The history of New York City will show that it was founded by the colonists sometime in the 1530s. The facts will also demonstrate how it has transformed itself and responded to various events that took place in the city.

Early Period

Long before the 1530s however, the land was already settled in by various Indian tribes. There is ample evidence to show that the Native Americans and other peoples had lived there 10,000 years prior to the colonists’ arrival.

Based on available records, the first colonist to set foot on the land was Giovanni di Verrazano. He arrived at the place in 1524 from the harbor. Sensing the potential fertility of the land, Verrazano and other colonists migrated there.

The U.S. Constitution is the highest law in the United States. Within this document people can find the fundamental laws constituting the Federal Government of the U.S. as well as the existence of the country as a separate, democratic and free entity. Learn when the Constitution was written and understand better the different important aspects that are of great significance to this country.

History of the U.S. Constitution

When was the Constitution written? According to historical records, in was some time in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was written. For some time, it was not in effect. It was finally ratified almost two years later. Because of this all-important development, it was used in place of the old Articles of Confederation.

On May 25th in 1787, the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention started. The delegates came up with a conclusion that a central government with the power to enforce was needed. However, it was on September 17th of that same year when the Constitutional Convention decided to adopt the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, it was ratified on June 21st in 1788. Since then, it has been amended a total 27 times. The Bill of Rights covers the first ten amendments.

Primarily, the U.S. Constitution is comprised of 27 amendments, seven original articles and a preamble. The preamble is a clear statement of purpose. Meanwhile, the original articles cover highly important issues such as legislative power, executive power and judicial power. The other articles speak about the limits and powers of states, amendments, federal power as well as ratification.

The Constitution was shaped by various historical influences. These include the British experience with mixed government and the literature of Republicanism in the U.S. Furthermore, English philosopher John Locke also had several influences on some of its important aspects.

Important Details and Other Relevant Information

One of the most important parts of the Constitution is the U.S. Bill of Rights. It is important because it covers highly relevant issues. For instance, the First Amendment speaks of freedom to petition, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It also speaks about the other rights of U.S. citizens including freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.

Under the Fourth amendment, people are provided protection against warrantless seizures of property, arrests and searches. In civil cases, the Seventh Amendment guarantees people a trial by jury. Meanwhile, the Eighth Amendment prohibits the implementation of unusual and cruel punishment as well as excessive fines.

One of the most significant events in the U.S., Inauguration Day usually happens after the country’s presidential elections. This marks the start of a new term for whoever is elected on Election Day. This is usually a festive event where balls, speeches and parades are usually held to celebrate the office of the new president. Here’s a quick take on Inauguration Day and other important details pertaining to this all-important event.

The Inauguration of the U.S. President

When is Inauguration Day? Today, Inauguration Day is held on the 20th day of January after every U.S. Presidential Election. For instance, Barack Obama won the general election in 2008. After this impressive win, he was inaugurated on January 20th, 2009. However, this was not always the case. From 1798 to 1933, this special event was held on March 4th after every general election. When the Twentieth Amendment was ratified in 1933, the date was eventually changed. After that, the event is always held on January 20th following the general elections.

Other Relevant Details and Information

At some point in the history of the U.S., this special event transpired on the East Portico of the Capitol. This is especially true starting from President Martin Van Buren until the term of President Jimmy Carter. Meanwhile, the venue for this event changed starting from the presidency of Ronald Reagan in 1981. Instead of holding the event on the East Portico, it was then changed to the West Portico. At some point, this important activity was held indoors. This actually happened in 1909 to President William Howard Taft, while Reagan experienced it in 1985.

For such glorious event, there are certain individuals who are very much expected to attend. These include high-ranking military officials, justices of the U.S. Supreme Court and members of the U.S. Congress.

In addition to these, there are various elements present in this kind of ceremony. Among them, the oath of office is the most important. After the oath, the president can deliver the inaugural address. According to records, four former presidents did not deliver a speech after their oaths of office. They were Chester A. Arthur, Andrew Johnson, Millard Fillmore and John Tyler.

In addition to the speech, there are also certain religious elements for this event. Sometimes there are poetry readings. Meanwhile, certain individuals preferred musical works. For others, they incorporated at least two or more prayers in the event. To make the event more colorful and meaningful, newly elected presidents have added prayer services, parades and congressional luncheons.

Considered as the 36th state of the United States, Nevada is known as the seventh largest place in the country in terms of area since it covers the Great Basin at the north and the Mojave Desert at the south. Carson is the capital of the state but many tourists like to visit the other areas in Nevada such as Reno and Las Vegas because these feature attractive tourist spots and inviting entertainment establishments. To know when Nevada became a state, it is important to take a look at the other events that are essential to the history of the place.

History

When did Nevada become a state? Based on the records of the national government, Nevada was officially recognized as a U.S. state on the 31st day of October in 1864. The statehood happened eight days before the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln. After several months, Lincoln announced the appointment of the place’s Territorial Governor, Jame W. Nye. This state attained its present boundaries in the south on the 5th day of May 1866. It occurred when Nevada absorbed some parts of Arizona’s Pah-Ute County. Two years after, a portion of the territory of Utah was transferred to the state, which was essential for the federal government to set the place’s boundary in the east.

Other Important Details

Silver mining is one of the main industries that became important to the economy of Nevada before the 19th century. During the last years of this century, the miners in the state experienced tight competition with the miners in Utah and Colorado. To save the mining industry from collapsing, strikes in Rhyolite as well as Goldfield happened in the 1910s.

During this time, another industry that improved the economy of the state is the gambling industry. Because of the occurrence of the Great Depression and the declines in the performance of the mining industry, the local government legalized gambling in the state. The first company that received a gaming license is Northern Club. The license was released by the government in 1931.

Another important event in the state is the establishment of the Nevada Test Site on the 11th January 1951. The site was founded to examine different nuclear weapons. According to historians, there are numerous nuclear detonated weapons stored in the site. To secure the safety of all the residents in the area, the last atmospheric test performed by the site happened on the 17th day of July 1962 but the underground tests were conducted until the 23rd day of September 1992.

A study on the history of the Vatican will show that it was made a city state in 1929 via the Lateran Treaty. But its beginnings actually go back centuries earlier.

AD 326

Tradition holds that Saint Peter was crucified and died in Rome. Because he is recognized as the very first Pope, Italy had always been the home of the Papacy. In AD 326 a church was erected on the spot believed to be where Peter died and was buried.

When the Roman Empire collapsed, the church territories grew. These Papal States would expand from a single church and encompass large lands. By the 7th century AD large parts of Italy and France were under Papal control.

The Roman Question

The Italian unification changed the history of the Vatican. The Papal States were taken over by the monarchy. The Pope was left with only a single city at Rome. On October 1870, the city fell to King Victor Emmanuelle II of Italy. The result was that the Pope and the city became encircled and surrounded.