1775 – American Revolution begins in Lexington, Massachusetts. The “Shot Heard Round the World” took place in Concord later that day.
1861 – Lincoln orders blockade of Confederate ports (Civil War)
1901 – In the Philippines, recently captured insurgent leader Emilio Aguinaldo issues a proclamation advising his countrymen to end their rebellion and use of peaceful means to work with the US toward independence.
1919 – Leslie Irvin of US makes first premeditated free-fall parachute jump.
1926 – “National Barn Dance” premieres on WLS, Chicago.
1927 – Actress Mae West found guilty of “obscenity and corrupting the morals of youth” in New York stage play entitled “Sex”. She is sentenced to 10 days in prison and fined $500, the resulting publicity launches her Hollywood career.
1932 – President Herbert Hoover suggests 5 day work week.
1933 – FDR announces US will leave gold standard.
1939 – Connecticut finally approves Bill of Rights (148 years late)
1945 – Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “Carousel” opens on Broadway.
1948 – American Broadcasting Company (ABC) Tv network debuts.
1955 – The German automaker Volkswagon, after six years of selling cars in the United States, founds Volkswagon of America in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey to standardize its dealer and service network.
1963 – Johnny Cash releases his single “Ring of Fire” written by his future wife June Carter and Merle Kilgore.
1971 – Charles Manson sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Sharon Tate.
1982 – Sally Ride is named the 1st American woman astronaut.
1990 – Pistons & 76’ers get into a fight accruing $162,500 fines (NBA record)
1991 – Greyhound Bus posts $195 million loss for 1990.
1993 – After a 51 day siege by the FBI, 76 Branch Davidians die in a fire near Waco Texas (accident, suicide, tear gas are disputed causes)
2013 – Boston bombing suspects killed and captured in Boston after 4 days.
2017 – Fox News confirms they would be letting go of Bill O’Reilly after allegations of sexual harassment.
About Author
