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1865 – Confederate General J E Johnson surrenders Army of Tennessee, at Durham, North Carolina. 1887 – Huntsville Electric Co forms to sell electricity. 1900 – American League baseball opener in Cleveland draws 6,500. 1920 – Harlow Shapely and Heber D. Curtis hold ‘great debate’ on the nature of nebulae, galaxies and size of the universe at US National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. 1931 – Lou Gehrig hits a HR but is called out for passing a runner, mistake costs him American League home run crown; he & Babe Ruth tie for season. 1941 – A tradition begins, 1st organ at a baseball stadium (Chicago Cubs) 1954 – Nationwide …..

1719 – Daniel Defoe publishes “Robinson Crusoe” 1861 – The Union Army arrives to reinforce Washington, D.C. (US Civil War) 1875 – Latest date for measurable snow in NYC (3″) 1898 – Spanish-American War: The United States declares state of war on Spain effective from 21st April. 1901 – New York becomes 1st state requiring automobile license plates ($1 fee) 1928 – Buddy, a German Shepherd, becomes 1st guide dog for a US citizen Morris Frank. 1933 – US & Canada drop Gold Standard. 1945 – 45 countries convene UN Conference on Intl Organization in San Francisco. 1953 – Francis Crick and James Watson’s discovery of the double helix structure …..

1704 – “Boston News-Letter” 1st successful newspaper in US, forms. 1800 – US Library of Congress establishes with $5,000 allocation. 1833 – Jacob Evert & George Dulty patent 1st soda fountain. 1888 – Eastman Kodak founded by George Eastman. 1897 – 1st reporter, William Price (Washington Star), assigned to White House. 1898 – US fleet under commodore George Dewey sails from Hong Kong to Philippines. 1907 – Hersheypark, founded by Milton S. Hershey for the exclusive use of his employees, is opened. 1913 – Skyscraper, the Woolworth Building in New York City is opened – world’s tallest building at the time. 1917 – US Congress passes the Liberty Loan Act, …..

1649 – Maryland Toleration Act passed in American colony, allowing all freedom of worship. 1789 – John Adams sworn in as 1st US Vice President (9 days before Washington) 1794 – NYC formally declares coast of Ellis Island publicly owned, so they can build forts to protect NYC from British. 1865 – Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train leaves Washington. 1878 – NY installs 1st firehouse pole. 1914 – US marines occupy Vera Cruz, a major Mexican port; they will stay 6 months. 1940 – 1st $64 Question, “Take It or Leave It,” on CBS Radio. 1944 – NFL Chicago Cardinals & Pittsburgh Steelers merge (dissolves on Dec 3) 1952 – Secretaries’ …..

1777 – New York adopts new constitution as an independent state. 1896 – 1st public film showing in US John Philip Sousa’s “El Capitan” premieres in NYC. 1912 – Fenway Park officially opens, Red Sox beat NY Highlanders 7-6 in 11. 1914 – US President Woodrow Wilson, having dispatched more naval ships to Mexico, ask a joint session of Congress to approve armed force if necessary, Congress approves. 1920 – Tornadoes kill 219 in Alabama & Mississippi. 1935 – “Your Hit Parade” begins broadcasting (become #1 quickly) 1940 – 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pa. 1945 – US 7th army captured German city of Nuremberg. 1948 – NYC hikes …..

1775 – American Revolution begins – Lexington Common, shot “heard round the world” 1861 – Lincoln orders blockade of Confederate ports (Civil War) 1892 – Charles Duryea takes the 1st American-made automotive for a test drive. 1897 – 1st Boston Marathon won by John J. McDermott in 2:55:10. Becomes the world’s oldest annual marathon. 1919 – Leslie Irvin of US makes first premeditated free-fall parachute jump. 1924 – “National Barn Dance” premieres on WLS Chicago. 1932 – President Herbert Hoover suggests 5 day work week. 1934 – Shirley Temple appears in her 1st movie, “Stand Up & Cheer” 1945 – Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “Carousel” opens on Broadway. 1945 – …..

1775 – Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from Charleston to Lexington warning the “regulars are coming!” 1848 – American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico. 1865 – Confederate General Johnson surrenders to General William T. Sherman in North Carolina. 1906 – San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city. 1912 – Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City. 1915 – US Secretary of State warns Germany that the USA may break diplomatic relations unless torpedo attacks on unarmed ships stop. 1923 – 74,000 (62,281 paid) on hand …..