1890 – The Rose Parade, then known as the Tournament of Roses, was first held in Pasadena, California.
1892 – Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station – it would go on to be the gateway to the US for more than 12 million people.
1903 – President Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Roosevelt unveil new renovations to The White House, including a new West Wing.
1913 – US Post Office begins parcel post deliveries.
1928 – 1st US air conditioned office building opens, San Antonio.
1934 – Alcatraz officially becomes a federal prison.
1946 – ENIAC, US 1st computer finished by Mauchly/Eckert.
1954 – NBC broadcast 1st live color US coast-to-coast telecast, the Tournament of Roses Parade, from Pasadena, California.
1960 – Johnny Cash plays first of his many free concerts behind bars at San Quentin Prison, California; Merle Haggard among the inmate audience.
1966 – All US cigarette packs have to carry “Caution Cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health”
1967 – FCC requires AM-FM sister stations to be at least 50% different.
1971 – Cigarette advertisements banned on TV.
1975 – H.R. Halderman, John Ehrilchman, John Mitchell and Robert Mardian convicted of Watergate crimes.
1979 – US and China (Peoples Republic) begin diplomatic relations.
1985 – US’s 1st mandatory seat belt law goes into effect (NY)
1994 – International Year of Family.
2008 – A New Hampshire law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples comes into effect.
2016 – After floods along the Mississippi River kill 31, Exxon Mobile Corp decides to close a plant in flood threatened Memphis.
2020 – 86th Sugar Bowl: #5 Georgia beats #7 Baylor, 26-14.
About Author
