1805: Americais still developing an identity after winning its independence from Englandin 1783. A second war againstEnglandwill be fought in 1812-1814.

1866-1869: In the aftermath of the Civil War, Americaundergoes a period known as the Reconstruction.

Today: Americais a stable country. It is considered the dominant economic and military power in the world.

1815: News of Napoleon's defeat atWaterloo is reported four days later byLondon's Morning Chronicle, which scooped the competing British newspapers.

1866: Telegraph communication is the most common way to communicate over long distances. In America,Western Union controls 75,000 miles of wire, becoming the first great monopoly.

Today: News events are available instantly from all corners of the globe, thanks to the Internet.

1807: Former Vice President Aaron Burr is arrested for his part in a scheme to form an independent nation of Mexicoand parts of theLouisiana Territory.

1868: President Andrew Johnson faces an impeachment trial, charged with...