1748 – The first Lutheran denomination in North America, the Pennsylvania Ministerium, is founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1791 – John Fitch granted US patent for his working steamboat.
1843 – Charles Thurber patents a typewriter.
1846 – W A Bartlett appointed 1st US mayor of Yerba Buena (San Francisco)
1858 – First news dispatch by telegraph.
1895 – Electric generator at Niagara Falls produces first power.
1907 – Harry Houdini escapes from chains underwater at Aquatic Park in 57 seconds.
1918 – W Smith & F Bacon’s “Lightnin'” premieres in NYC.
1930 – Hack Wilson hit his 44th HR, breaks Chuck Klein’s NL record.
1945 – Japanese diplomats board USS Missouri to receive instructions on Japan’s surrender at the end of WWII.
1952 – Fluoridation of San Francisco water begins.
1959 – British Motor Corporation introduced the Morris Mini-Minor, designed by Alec Issigonis. It was only 10ft long but seated 4 passengers.
1964 – LBJ nominated at Democratic convention in Atlantic City, NJ.
1971 – NY Giants football team announces they’re leaving Bronx for NJ in 1975.
1980 – John Birges plants a bomb at Harvey’s Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada.
1996 – US President Bill Clinton signs welfare reform into law, representing major shift in welfare policy.
2003 – The Columbia Accident Investigation Board releases its final reports on Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
2011 – The 787 Dreamliner, Boeing’s all-new composite airliner, receives certification from the EASA and the FAA.
2015 – WDBJ TV reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward are fatally shot live on TV by an ex-colleague in Moneta, Virginia.
2017 – Hurricane Harvey downgraded to a tropical storm, National Hurricane Center warns of “multiday rainfall disaster”