1880s: By the end of the 1880s, one-third of the population of the United States lived in towns. In the decade from 1880 to 1890, the number of U.S. cities of 45,000-75,000 increased from 23 to 39.

1990s: By the 1990s, the majority of Americans— over 75 percent— live in urban areas. More than half of Americans live in cities with populations of at least one million. In 1990, the 100 largest cities in the United States all have populations of greater than 170,000.

1880s: The United States has about 800 high schools in 1880 and 2,500 by 1890.

1990s: In the 1990s, the United States has more than 30,000 public and private high schools.

1890s: In 1890, Wyoming is the first government in the world and the only U.S. state to give women full suffrage. That year, two prominent women's suffrage organizations— the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage...