In order to deflect contention over the expansion of slavery westward, Congress passed the “Missouri Compromise” bill establishing the southern boundary of Missouri as the line between slave and free states.

Mexico permitted Moses Austin to bring 300 American families to settle in Texas; his son Stephen leads the immigrants upon his father’s death the same year.

The first group of freed slaves, under the auspices of the American Colonization Society, arrived in Africa. By 1847 they established the nation of Liberia, with Monrovia as the capitol, and English as the national language. Eventually, 13,000 Americans will settle there, the organization having been supported by John Randolph, Henry Clay, Abraham Lincoln and other prominent white men.

President James Monroe stated his foreign policy principles before Congress, a view which will prevail till the end of the century. The policy becomes known as “the Monroe Doctrine” though it was set down by John Quincy Adams.

John Quincy Adams son of former President John Adams elected President of the United States, perhaps the most experienced statesman ever to hold the office.

American Tract Society founded

Scotsman Robert Owen’s utopian colony of New Harmony founded in Indiana. It failed.

Sequoyah’s syllabary adopted by the Cherokee nation

Former Presidents and personal friends, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, die on the Fourth of July in their respective homes in Virginia and Massachusetts.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad became the first to offer commercial transportation for goods and people.

Andrew Jackson elected President of the United States

Noah Webster published the great dictionary that defined American English for many generations and is still in use today.

First gold rush in America occurred in North Georgia. A U. S. Mint was established in the town of Dahlonega.

Joseph Smith of New York published The Book of Mormon, claiming its divine origins. He becomes the founder of the Mormon religion.