The Mexican War

The Mexican War

• May 8, 1846 - The Mexican War begins with the Battle of Palo Alto.
  
• May 13, 1846 - The United States declares war on Mexico.
  
• August 22, 1846 - The United States annexes what is now Arizona and New Mexico.
  
• December 28, 1846 - Iowa is the 29th state admitted to the Union. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the first free state in the old Louisiana Territory.
  
• September 14, 1847 - American forces take Mexico City.
  
• February 2, 1848 - Mexico and the United States sign the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War.
  
• February 2, 1848 - The United States gains what is now California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
  
• May 29, 1848 - Wisconsin is the 30th state admitted to the Union. According to the 1999-2000 Wisconsin Blue Book (published by the State of Wisconsin), "on May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state in the Union." (p. 630)
  
• August 14, 1848 - The United States annexes the Oregon Territory containing what is now Idaho, part of Montana, Oregon, Washington, part of Wyoming.
  
• March 3, 1849 - The Minnesota Territory is organized.
  
• March 4, 1849 - Millard Filmore is sworn in as the 12th Vice President of the United States.
  
• March 5, 1849 - Zachary Taylor is sworn in as the 12th President of the United States.
  
• December 6, 1849 - Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery on the "Underground Railroad".
  
• May 30, 1850 - The Kansas Territory is organized.
  
• May 30, 1850 - The Nebraska Territory is organized.
  
• July 10, 1850 - Millard Fillmore is sworn in as the 13th President of the United States.
  
• September 9, 1850 - California is the 31st state admitted to the Union. Congress hesitated to welcome a new free state, but because of its booming population and the discovery of gold, California was admitted in September 9, 1850.
  
• September 9, 1850 - The Utah Territory is organized.
  
• September 18, 1850 - The Fugitive Slave Act is passed by Congress, requiring the return of escaped slaves.
  
• March 2, 1853 - The Washington Territory is organized.
  
• March 2, 1853 - The Oregon Territory is organized.
  
• March 4, 1853 - Franklin Pierce is sworn in as the 14th President of the United States.
  
• March 4, 1853 - William King is sworn in as the 13th Vice President of the United States.
  
• December 30, 1853 - The United States purchases what is now part of Arizona and New Mexico.
  
• March 4, 1857 - James Buchanan is sworn in as the 15th President of the United States.
  
• March 4, 1857 - John Breckinridge is sworn in as the 14th Vice President of the United States.
  
• May 11, 1858 - Minnesota is the 32nd state admitted to the Union.
  
• February 14, 1859 - Oregon is the 33rd state admitted to the Union.