This Day in History

In 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew spotted land in the 'New World.' In 2000, the USS Cole was attacked while in port in Yemen by Al-Qaeda suicide bombers. In 1945, Private First Class Desmond T. Doss became the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor. In 1810, the annual tradition of Oktoberfest began in Munich, Germany. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

In 2005, the final floodwater from Hurricane Katrina was pumped out of New Orleans. In 1991, former Clarence Thomas staffer Anita Hill testified in front of congress during the confirmation hearings to seat Thomas as a Supreme Court Justice. In 1975, Saturday Night Live debuted. In 1971, John Lennon's song, 'Imagine' was released. In 1975, Bruce Springsteen's song 'Born to Run' became his first to...

In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising began leading to the end of 4000 years of dynastic rule in China. In 1780, 22,000 people died in Barbados, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Sint Eustatius when a hurricane blew through. In 1767, the Mason-Dixon line was drawn. In 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy opened in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1973, U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned. In 2004, “Superman” actor Christo...

In 2005, 13-year old Malala Yousafzai and two other girls were shot by a Taliban gunman. In 1936, the Hoover Dam opened, providing hydroelectric power to cities in Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. In 1974, German businessman Oskar Schindler died at the age of 66. In 1919, the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago White Sox 10-6 to win the World Series. It would come to light a year later that...

In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire started in the O'Leary barn with their cow Daisy blamed for starting it. In 1945, Raytheon filed for a patent for the microwave oven. In 2005, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed an estimated 90,000 in the Kashmir region of Northern Pakistan. In 1956, New York Yankee Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series game. In 2000, Michael Schumacher won his t...

In 2023, the Hamas-Israel War began when Hamas militants launched an early morning attack. In 1985, the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked by four Palestinian militants. In 1780, a group of American militiamen defeated the British and a group of loyalists in the Battle of Kings Mountain. In 1916, Georgia Tech beat Cumberland 222-0 in the most lopsided college football game in history....

In 891, Formosus was elected Pope. In 1866, the Reno brothers and their gang pulled off a 'first of its kind' train robbery. In 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated. In 1949, Nuclear engineer and inventor Lonnie Johnson was born. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1813, William Henry Harrison defeated the combined forces of British and Native American forces in the 'Battle of the Thames.' In 1974, adventurer David Kunst finished his around the world journey on foot. In 1990, the movie Henry & June opened in theaters as the first film with an NC-17 rating. In 1969, Monty Python debuted on the BBC.  In 1919, Enzo Ferrari made his debut as a race car d...

In 1582, the Gregorian calendar went into effect. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik. In 1927, Gutzon Borglum began carving the faces of four presidents into the side of Mount Rushmore  in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest. In 1970, singer Janis Joplin died of a heroin overdose. In 1955, the underdog Brooklyn Dodgers beat the New York Yankees to win the World Se...

In 1995, the eight-month long OJ Simpson trial ended with his acquittal. In 1990, East and West Germany reunified. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln decreed the last Thursday of November would be a holiday called Thanksgiving. In 1955, the Guinness Book of World Records was published for the first time In 1951, New York Giant Bobby Thomson hit a three-run home run to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers to advance to...

In 1836, the HMS Beagle returned to England with naturalist Charles Darwin on board. In 1944, the Warsaw Uprising ended, with the surrender of the surviving Polish resistance fighters to German forces. In 1965, Gatorade was used for the first time in a game. The Florida Gators beat LSU 14-7. In 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as America’s first African American Supreme Court justice. In 1985,...

In 1553, Mary I became the first queen to ascend to the throne as ruler of England. In 1908, Ford’s first Model T rolled off the line in Detroit, Michigan. In 1962, Johnny Carson took over as host of The Tonight Show. In 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn-in as president of Mexico In sports, in 1932, it was Babe Ruth’s called shot during game three of the World Series against Chicago. In 1961, New...

In 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, acquiescing to Adolf Hitler’s demands to annex the Sudetenland in Western Czechoslovakia.  In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson spoke to congress supporting women’s suffrage. In 1955, actor James Dean died in a car accident in California. In 2005, a Danish newspaper printed a series of satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, provoking violent protest...

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A decisive Revolutionary War battle began on this day in 1781. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The writings on the Rosetta Stone were revealed on this day in 1822. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A beloved sitcom premiered on this day in 1969. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The IRA finally laid down its arms on this day in 2005. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A controversial trial opened on this day in 1969. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An American outlaw was arrested for the first time on this day in 1875. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A president survived a second assassination attempt on this day in 1975. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JFK Jr. said “I do” on this day in 1996. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chester Arthur was sworn in as U.S. president on this day in 1881. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This country granted women the right to vote on this day in 1893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A prolific musician died at age 27 on this day in 1970. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices