As the New World’s largest country in both area and population, the United States of America possesses a rich history and more historic sites than you could visit in a lifetime.
Founded in rather rebellious fashion during the 1770s, the new nation’s unique system of government quickly became the model for the world. America’s national park system, the planet’s first, preserves both human and natural history sites for generations to come. The history buff cannot be bored in the USA.
History
While debate continues over the subject, most scientists and historians believe that the United States and the rest of the Americas had only animal inhabitants until 10,000-15,000 years ago. Near the beginning of the Holocene era (10,000 BCE), the ancestors of today’s Native Americans crossed a land bridge over the Bering Strait into what is now the US state of Alaska. (Native Americans probably migrated even earlier than this. It’s still up for debate.) These intrepid travelers came in waves, filtering south into the vast empty landmass of North and South America. In the United States, these migrants split into several hundred tribes, each with their own languages and customs. Most of these tribes settled into a nomadic lifestyle, but exceptions existed; the vast abandoned city at Cahokia in present-day Illinois shows that the Native Americans were capable of building major cities and urban societies.
The Ancestral Pueblos (the Anasazi) built fantastic large pueblos and cliff dwellings. The most mysterious is the ruins of Chaco Canyon.
In the early 1500s, immigrants from Europe began exploring and settling the Americas. Further ahead in technology (guns beat arrows most of the time), the Europeans crushed most opposition as war and slaughter ensued across the continent. Native Americans were often killed, enslaved or relocated to untenable land. Entire peoples and languages disappeared overnight as disease and violence took their toll. Today, modern Americans are still coming to terms with this embarrassing and sad chapter in their history.
Divided up between France, Spain, England, Russia and the remaining Native American powers, the American territory was in a state of constant turmoil during the 1600s and 1700s. Finally, the British colonies on the East Coast rebelled against their motherland over taxes and a host of other grievances. Shocking the world, backwoods farmers and a vastly undermanned force defeated the greatest empire on earth (with a lot of help from the French). Forming a loose confederacy of states that later collapsed, the colonies founded the United States of America in 1787, creating a Constitution that called for an elected system of government (the democratic republic), one that aimed to be sustainable and geared toward mass public participation. While imperfect, this system has become model for free societies across the globe.
Over the course of the 1800s, America’s government procured more land until it became a nation that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, later adding Alaska and Hawaii. This expansion occurred despite a Civil War which tore apart the young nation between 1861 and 1865.
The iconic skyline of lower Manhattan in New York City. A must-see city.
In the early 20th century, America became a dominant force on the global stage. America’s rise from 13-colony mosquito farm to 50-state world power has been truly remarkable, considering that it took just 200 years. America’s historic sites reflect the swift decisions and hardworking spirit of the immigrants that founded it, but also showcase a willingness to recognize and rectify past mistakes. America is a nation of near-constant change, but also recognizes and respects its own history.
Travel Guides
Click on the map for travel guides and posts written on certain states.
Travel Tips
Rent a car. America’s cities are great, but it’s a vast country which deserves to be seen.
Get a National Park Pass – The concept of national parks began here, and they really are one of America’s great ideas. Obtaining a national park’s pass will let you into all the amazing parks for free. Don’t buy it online, however, it’s cheaper and faster to get it in person at any National Park site that charges an admission fee.
For Emergencies: Dial 911 for cuts, bruises, gouges or any other medical problem you might have. 911 is also the number for reporting on-going crime. In many large national parks, 911 is operated by the park itself, like Grand Canyon.
Despite the stereotypes about Americans and fast food, culinary options abound. Americans take pride in their locally owned delis and eateries, so never be afraid to ask someone for a recommendation.
