1630 – Indians introduce pilgrims to popcorn, at Thanksgiving.
1775 – 1st US joint stock company (to make cloth) offers shares at 10 cents.
1784 – 1st US ship to trade with China, “Empress of China”, sails from NY.
1856 – 1st national meeting of Republican Party (Pittsburgh).
1860 – Shoe-making workers of Lynn, Ms, strike successfully for higher wages.
1865 – Battle of Wilmington, NC (Fort Anderson) occupied by Federals.
1876 – John Hopkins University opens.
1879 – 1st 5 cent & 10 cent store opened by Frank W. Woolworth (Utica, NY).
1900 – Hawaii became a US territory.
1909 – Great White Fleet, 1st US fleet to circle the globe, returns to Va.
1935 – Airplanes are no longer permitted to fly over the White House.
1942 – World War II: President Franklin Roosevelt orders General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines as American defenses collapse.
1958 – 15th Golden Globes: The Bridge on the River Kwai, Alec Guinness, & Joanne Woodward win.
1959 – 1st Daytona 500: Lee Petty wins (135.521).
1969 – Barbara Jo Rubin becomes 1st female jockey to win at a major US track.
1973 – US & China agree to establish liaison offices in Beijing & Washington, DC.
1980 – USA beats USSR in Olympic hockey 4-3, referred to as “Miracle on Ice”. USA captain Mike Eruzione scores winning goal in 3rd period.
1989 – NY Lotto pays $26.9 million to one winner (#s were 1-5-12-19-44-50)/
1992 – Barry Diller resigns as CEO of Fox.
2005 – 19th Soap Opera Digest Awards – General Hospital wins.