What makes a country great? It is a question that has no easy answer. Does it come from the people, the products, or the land it is on? America has accomplished some of the most amazing and greatest achievements that the world has ever seen. Here is a list of America’s greatest achievements in its rich history:
The American Revolution
The revolution of the United States stands as a great moment because it created a country that would be independent of the British empire’s monarchy system including the ability to exercise freedom of religion and created the first free democracy in modern times. We created and implemented a government standing that has survived and thrived, watching other countries topple or reconfigure many times over. It also proved that as time went on, even though we are large in comparison to other countries, we are united.
Adding Amendments to the Constitution
This was an integral part of how America has evolved and can evolve, its ideology. It provided the ability to speak out freely and the right to assemble armies and militias against foreign and domestic threats. Without this document, we would not have been able to let women vote, stop segregation, or have the ability to speak out against the government without repercussion.
The Lousiana Purchase
The purchase added 10 states to the growing colonies. Without this purchase, we would not be the power we are today. The decision was made due to France, currently under the rule of Napoleon, could be closed off because of Napoleons’ thirst for world domination. We were also in a very large debt to France because of the revolution. Napoleon promised to figure all debts and even negotiated the purchase, for the hefty sum of $15 million (roughly $400 million today).
Emancipation Proclamation
The history of black Americans in this country has been wrought with heartache and bloodshed. This country was built, tilled, and fertilized by them. Though there are many conflicting arguments and mixed feelings, the emancipation helped to legally free many black slaves. Though it also had its flaws by still allowing those loyal to the union to keep slaves, it let black men serve in the union army. It was also one of the largest steps taken by the American government to address that slavery, in their way, was wrong.
This was also proclaimed but was not the driving force behind black slaves being freed at the time. Many were already escaping or making their way to northern states, this was the government finally acknowledging that fact.
Women’s Suffrage
The 19th amendment, ratified on August 18, 1920, finally gave most women the right to vote. This did not extend to black women and was not officially ratified till the voting rights act of 1965. This was, however, a large step in a good direction as it allowed more diverse opinions when choosing major political characters. The first president to be elected with the women voting pool was Warren Harding, who took over a post-World War I country.
1936 Olympics and Jesse Owens
Another historical moment in history as a man won in the greatest event of physical prowess against a growing doom. He not only beat men but an ideology, with flying colors. During these events, Hitler, in his “glorious” wisdom, thought that his Arian race could beat anyone in anything. Winning 4 gold medals and breaking Olympic and world records, this was not just his victory, but those back home who were being trodden down by inequality and racism.
“Owens’ achievements led the people of Berlin to hail him, an African-American, as a hero.” Stated the main page for the Olympics.
The storming of Normandy Beach
This was not just a US victory, but it was over 6,000 of the 10,000 lives lost that were from the United States that day. We were the driving force that set the end to a tyrant. Truly a day in the modern history of true bravery and sacrifice from our US military. Not only show brave sacrifice but started the end of a great and horrible rule. Though America departed isolationism during WWII, driven to fight perpetually until the end of its days as a protector of the world, this day will always hold tender and true in hearts around the world.
National Highway System
Though it may not seem like a great achievement, it was actually a great feat of engineering and thought. The reason you can get from state to state in your car is that it would make military transportation easier. Even though we had Aircraft, they could not transport a thousand men conveniently. This was also a way to make trade routes, visitation, and make America that much more connected. You can get to any major city in America within two to three days.
This was also much more convenient than the railway system as it allows more dexterous maneuvering and allows for many different routes in case of closers or military invasion. Though taken for granted nowadays, it is truly a masterpiece of connection.
Civil Rights Act
This drove the nail in the coffin for segregation acts. Men like Martian Luther King, peacefully protesting to show skin color does not define someone’s worth. When the act passed this did not stop racism, but it allowed children, black and white, to go to school together. It allowed them to share the same space and spend time with each other, and begin healing those wounds. It let men and women of different colors drink, eat, and be merry in the same spaces. When barriers are broken, and when people start looking at each other as people, that is when we realize that we are all the same. Skin, hair, eyes, shape, and size are not characteristics that should define someone, and this was a large step to leading us out of this racial stagnation and to begin seeing people as people.
Moon Landing
The Berlin wall, spying, and the space race. Nothing brought more pride to America and its people than the day a US citizen stepped foot on truly foreign soil, the moon. Thousands of miles, where nothing but void and death held sway, that a few men braved something thought impossible. This was not a victory over a country, this was a victory at American persistency and ingenuity. That we weren’t afraid to tread the unknown and were willing to risk everything for the sake of discovery.
The Internet
This is one of the greatest achievements in modern history. Bringing together people from across the world in seconds. The world became more connected than ever before. Originally a military intelligence idea, it was quickly adopted by the civilian population to share research and documents. It has now evolved into the central point for our current generation. Anything and everything can now be found using this network. Good or bad, it is a truly great achievement.
Obama Election – the First African American President of the United States
Though not one of the most loved presidents in history, Barack Obama’s election stood as a staple that racial inequality is dying. Being the first black president in history marks a large stepping stone to greater equality. This has not come close to fixing the issue of racial inequality, it has rekindled the flame that anyone can be anything and that racial barriers can be broken.