By This Month in History
- 1776 – During the American Revolution, the U.S. declared Independence.
- 1790 – Washington, D.C. became the official capital of the United States.
- 1865 – Salvation Army was started by Rev. William and Catherine Booth.
- 1874 – The first American zoo opened in Philadelphia.
- 1881 – Tuskegee University was founded. Lewis Adams established his vision for the institution with the help of George Campbell. Booker T. Washington was the principal (and first teacher).
- 1893 – A trip to the mountains inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write a poem that later evolved to the song … America the Beautiful.
- 1943 – George Washington Carver was honored with a National Monument. He created over 100 products from the peanut. And served as a teacher at Tuskegee University.
- 1945 – Abbott and Costello performed their long rendition of “Who’s on First?”.. One of their most famous comedy routines… [Watch]
- 1948 – During the Berlin Crisis, Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen (after meeting a group of children) prepared and dropped gum and candy from his aircraft… “Day by day the crowd of kids waiting for the drop got bigger”…
- 1964 – The Civil Rights Act was signed by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.
- 1969 – Marked the first men on the moon.
- 2002 – Steve Fossett was the first to complete a solo flight around the world in a balloon.
