Korean War (1950)
The Korean War lasted from June 25, 1950, until July 27, 1953. The war was between North Korea (with the support of China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (with the support of the United Nations, most prominently the United States). This was one of the most destructive conflicts in modern history, racking up a proportional civilian death toll larger than World War II or the Vietnam War.
California Gold Rush (1848)
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found at a mill in Coloma, California. Approximately 300,000 people flocked there from around the nation and abroad. The influx of gold into the economy revitalized the American economy and California rapidly received its statehood.