This Day in History

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the March on Washington on this day in 1963.

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A powerful volcano erupted on this day in 1883.

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The so-called “preppy murder” stunned New York City on this day in 1986.

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The first known person to swim the English Channel ended the journey on this day in 1875.

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John Lennon’s killer was sentenced on this day in 1981.

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Pete Rose was booted from baseball on this day in 1989.

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The first balloon bombs were launched on this day in 1849.

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A historic series of debates began on this day in 1858.

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A blazingly fast telegram was sent on this day in 1911.

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Living animals were launched into space on this day in 1960.

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Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment on this day in 1920.

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An outlaw killed his first victim on this day in 1877.

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A newsstand staple debuted on this day in 1954.

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One of Shakespeare’s muses was killed on this day in 1057.

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A cult movie classic premiered on this day in 1975.

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Henry Ford introduced a unique car on this day in 1941.

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Armistice ended a war on this day in 1898.

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One of America’s most beloved comedians died on this day in 2014.

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The country’s first PG-13 movie hit theaters on this day in 1984.

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The U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on this day in 1945.

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General Robert E. Lee offered his resignation on this day in 1863.

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Refugee Relief Act on this day in 1953.

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Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel on this day in 1926.

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Transatlantic communication improved on this day in 1858.

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A branch of the U.S. armed forces was created on this day in 1790.

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An Olympic gymnast scored not one, but two perfect 10s on this day in 1984.

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Iraq invaded Kuwait on this day in 1990.

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The world’s first weather forecast was published on this day in 1861.

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An iconic Hollywood star signed her first movie contract on this day in 1946.

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An Olympic hero took home gold on this day in 1976.

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A Confederate spy was captured on this day in 1862.

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The 14th Amendment was adopted on this day in 1868.

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The first commercial jet took flight on this day in 1949.

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President Bush signed an important bill into law on this day in 1990.

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Henry Ford wrote a fan letter to this world leader on this day in 1941.

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A summertime sentiment was first celebrated on this day in 1933.

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The Detroit Riots started on this day in 1967.

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A POW returned home on this day in 2003.

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Seven words changed the history of entertainment on this day in 1972.

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President Truman reinstated the draft on this day in 1948.

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