1759 – 1st American life insurance company incorporated, Philadelphia.
1785 – Continental Congress convenes in NYC.
1794 – Robert Forsythe, a U.S. Marshall is killed in Augusta, Georgia when trying to serve court papers, the first US Marshal to die while carrying out his duties.
1849 – Elizabeth Blackwell becomes 1st woman in US to earn medical degree.
1861 – Alabama secedes from the Union (US Civil War).
1897 – M. H. Cannon becomes 1st woman state senator in US (Utah)
1913 – 1st sedan-type car (Hudson) goes on display at 13th Auto Show (NYC)
1935 – Amelia Earhart flies from Honolulu to Oakland, Ca. (non-stop, of course)
1949 – Snowfall 1st recorded in Los Angeles.
1963 – 1st discotheque opens, Whiskey-a-go-go in LA.
1964 – 1st government report warnings by US Surgeon General Luther Terry reports that smoking may be hazardous.
1971 – Detroit Tigers ace reliever John Hiller, 27, suffers a heart attack, but later makes a remarkable comeback to record 38 saves.
1973 – American League adopts designated hitter rule.
1973 – Trial of Watergate burglars begins in Washington, DC.
1983 – Atlanta Georgia’s temperature goes below zero F.
1990 – Bobby Knight becomes basketball’s Big 10 winningest coach (229)
1991 – Ric Flair wins NWA/WCW wrestling title.
1999 – 26th American Music Awards: Celine Dion & Eric Clapton.
2010 – Simon Cowell leaves “American Idol”