This Day in History

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius began to bury Pompeii on this day in 79. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dolley Madison made a brave choice on this day in 1812. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Althea Gibson made history on this day in 1950. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state on this day in 1959. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two and a half centuries of slavery in North America began on this day in 1619. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on this day in 1964. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The mystery of the Roanoke colony began on this day in 1590. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A prolific American inventor made driving a whole lot easier on this day in 1915. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gold was discovered in the Yukon on this day in 1896. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three days of peace and music began on this day in 1969. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Social Security was born on this day in 1935. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A city was cut in half on this day in 1961. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wizard of Oz premiered in an unusual location on this day in 1939. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first prisoners were shipped to Alcatraz on this day in 1934. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Son of Sam was finally arrested on this day in 1977. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A former underwear model ascended to the U.S. presidency on this day in 1974. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richard Nixon made a historic decision on this day in 1974. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lynne Cox took a historic, and very chilly, swim on this day in 1987. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on this day in 1945. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A cultural icon met a sad end on this day in 1962. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Borden murders rocked Fall River, Massachusetts on this day in 1892. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first-ever voyage underneath the North Pole made news on this day in 1958. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congress made the Declaration of Independence official on this day in 1776. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The very first Six Flags opened in Texas on this day in 1961. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Hoffa disappeared on this day in 1975. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices