A collage of historical figures, political cartoons, maps, the U.S. Capitol Building, and icons of the Democratic and Republican parties.

Patriotism and Partisanship Timeline

Key moments of patriotic unity and political division in U.S. history — from the Federalist Papers and Washington’s Farewell Address through the Civil Rights Act and September 11.

1788

Persuasive Patriots 
Painted portrait of Alexander Hamilton in profile, wearing a dark coat and white cravat against a dark brown background.

FEDERALIST PAPERS ADDRESS POLITICAL FACTIONS AND PARTIES

1790s

FOUNDING FEUDERS 
Side-by-side painted portraits of two men in dark coats and white cravats, Thomas Jefferson on the left and Alexander Hamilton on the right.

THE FEDERALISTS & THE DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS

1796

FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS 
Open book showing an engraved portrait of a man in a powdered wig beside the title page of “Washington’s Farewell Address to the People of the United States,” Salem, 1811.

WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS

1798

A CONGRESSIONAL ALTERCATION 
Satirical engraving of two men fighting with a cane and fire tongs in a legislative chamber while other members look on.

ROGER GRISWOLD OF CONNECTICUT ATTACKS MATTHEW LYON OF VERMONT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR

1800

BREAKING THE TIE 
Split image with an engraved portrait of a man in a curled wig and ruffled cuffs on the left, and a painted portrait of an older man with white hair on the right.

THE REVOLUTION OF 1800

1803

ACTING ON PRINCIPLE 
Oil portrait of a young man with powdered hair and a white ruffled cravat, wearing a dark coat against a dark, stormy background.

THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE - JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

1832-1836

PRELUDE TO PANIC 
Lithograph cartoon of two men boxing in a ring while onlookers cheer, with speech bubbles above the crowd.

THE BANK WAR

1861 - 1865

Collage of three portraits of men in Civil War-era military uniforms, one painted and two photographic.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

1877

End of Reconstruction - Rise of Jim Crow 
Illustrated cartoon of two clasped hands resting on a revolver, surrounded by posters reading “Tilden or Blood” and “Civil War.”

THE RAW DEAL

1909

MR. SPEAKER! 
Black-and-white studio portrait of a man with a mustache, wearing a dark jacket and bow tie.

FAIRNESS OVER FAVORITISM: SENATOR GEORGE W. NORRIS

1945

POLITICS STOPS AT THE WATER'S EDGE 
Black-and-white photograph of two older men in suits reading a sheet of paper together, with a wall map behind them.

ARTHUR VANDENBERG: THE SPEECH HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD

1950

I SPEAK AS AN AMERICAN: Standing up to Sen. Joseph McCarthy 
Color photograph of a smiling woman with short gray hair, wearing a dark jacket with an orange rose corsage, seated beside a vase of red roses.

SENATOR MARGARET CHASE SMITH: A DECLARATION OF CONSCIENCE

1964

WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH A MORAL ISSUE 
Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Everett Dirksen at the March on Washington. Black-and-white photograph of several men in suits, one gesturing with a raised finger, with two wearing round buttons on their lapels.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964: SENATOR EVERETT DIRKSEN CROSSES THE AISLE

2001

COUNTRY OVER PARTY? 
A large crowd in business attire gathers on the steps of a columned neoclassical building, with a cluster of microphones at a podium in front.

THE NATION COMES TOGETHER ON SEPTEMBER 11th