Dallas, Texas

1963Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: President Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963. The assassination shocked the world, transformed American politics, and cast a long shadow over Dallas for decades.

1958Invention of the Integrated Circuit: Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments demonstrated the first integrated circuit, the foundational technology of all modern electronics. Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for the invention.

1930East Texas Oil Boom: The discovery of the enormous East Texas Oil Field transformed Dallas into the financial and administrative capital of the American oil industry, funding the city's skyline, banks, and cultural institutions.

1974DFW Airport Opens: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport opened as one of the world's largest airports, positioned midway between the two cities. The airport became a critical hub for American Airlines and a catalyst for corporate relocation to Dallas.

1860Great Fire of 1860: A massive fire destroyed most of downtown Dallas and was blamed on enslaved people, leading to vigilante violence. The fire and its aftermath revealed the deep tensions over slavery in pre-Civil War Texas.

1872Railroad Arrives in Dallas: The Houston and Texas Central Railway and the Texas and Pacific Railway intersected at Dallas, transforming the small settlement into a major commercial crossroads virtually overnight.

1985Dallas Banking Crisis: The collapse of oil prices and real estate speculation devastated Dallas's banking sector. Several major banks failed, ending an era of unchecked growth and reshaping the city's economy toward diversification.

2016Dallas Police Ambush: A gunman killed five police officers and wounded nine others during a peaceful protest in downtown Dallas, making it the deadliest single incident for U.S. law enforcement since September 11.

1936Texas Centennial Exposition: Dallas hosted the Texas Centennial celebration in Fair Park, attracting over 6 million visitors and showcasing the city's Art Deco architecture, much of which still stands as a National Historic Landmark.

1995Dallas Cowboys Win Fifth Super Bowl: The Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to win their fifth Super Bowl, cementing Dallas's claim as 'America's Team' and the most successful NFL franchise of the modern era.