1200 – In China, sunglasses are invented.
1776 – 1st vote on Declaration of Independence for Britain’s North American colonies.
1836 – US President Andrew Jackson announces to Congress bequest by James Smithson of 100,000 sovereigns to found institution in Washington.
1861 – 1st public schoolhouse opens at Washington & Mason St., San Francisco.
1862 – US Internal Revenue Law imposes 1st federal taxes on inheritance, tobacco & on incomes over $600 (progressive rate).
1899 – Gideon Society established to place bibles in hotels.
1908 – “SOS” (…—…) distress signal becomes the worldwide standard for help.
1916 – Coca-Cola brings coke formula to the market.
1931 – Ice vending machines introduced in LA. 25 lbs, 15 cents.
1941 – Bulova Watch Co. pays $9 for 1st ever network TV commercial.
1956 – Elvis Presley wearing a tuxedo appears on Steve Allen show.
1963 – ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Codes are introduced for United States mail.
1966 – Medicare goes into effect.
1970 – Jimi Hendrix 1st recording session (NYC).
1971 – Twenty-sixth Amendment, which lowers the voting age from 21 to 18, is ratified and becomes part of the United States Constitution.
1973 – “Jesus Christ Superstar” closes at Mark Hellinger NYC after 711 performances.
1979 – Sony introduces the Walkman.
1991 – “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong premieres at Century City, California.
2014 – The US Supreme court rules that family-owned corporations can reject provision of ‘Obamacare’ on religious grounds.
2015 – US and Cuba announce agreements to re-open embassies and establish full diplomatic ties.
About Author
