This Day in History Class

On this day in 1868, the last ship to take British convicts to Australia arrived at the port of Fremantle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1811, the German Coast Uprising, a slave revolt in modern-day Louisiana, began. On this day in 1867, the U.S. Congress passed the District of Columbia Suffrage Bill, granting African American men the right to vote for the first time in the nation’s history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1893, blues and folk musician Elizabeth Cotten was born near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. On this day in 1980, “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang became the first hip hop song ever to break into the Billboard Top 40. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topsy the Elephant was electrocuted on this day in 1903. On this day in 1809, French educator Louis Braille, namesake of the Braille reading and writing system, was born. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1848, Black American merchant Joseph Jenkins Roberts was sworn in as the first president of Liberia. On this day in 1946, William Joyce, better known to the British as Lord Haw-Haw, was put to death for betraying his country on behalf of Nazi Germany. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1942, thirty-three members of a Nazi spy ring headed by Frederick Joubert Duquesne were sentenced to serve time in prison. --- On this day in 1974, President Richard Nixon established a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour on every highway in the United States.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1818, Mary Shelley's debut novel, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," was first published. --- On this day in 1959, musician Johnny Cash rang in the new year by performing live at San Quentin State Prison in California. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1566, eccentric astronomer Tycho Brahe lost a large chunk of his nose in a swordfight with his third cousin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1917, Baltimore journalist Henry L. Mencken published a faux history of the bathtub titled “A Neglected Anniversary.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1944, the Roosevelt administration seized control of the Montgomery Ward company for a second time.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1947, a record-breaking snowstorm wreaked havoc in New York City. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1223, St. Francis created the world's first Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1882, the first Christmas tree with electric lights was displayed at the home of Edward Hibberd Johnson.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1970, rock icon Elvis Presley met with President Richard Nixon at the White House. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1946, Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York City. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1854, Captain Jonathan Davis squared off against 14 bandits in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1965, American speed skater Ken LeBel set a world record by jumping over 17 barrels while wearing ice skates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1973, the American Psychiatric Association reversed its stance on homosexuality, declaring that it is not a mental illness.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1926, acclaimed novelist Agatha Christie resurfaced after a mysterious 11-day disappearance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1920, Hans Riegel founded the Haribo candy company in Bonn, Germany. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1980, a notebook containing writings and illustrations by Leonardo da Vinci was sold at auction for $5.1 million.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1936, Edward VIII became the first monarch in British history to give up the throne voluntarily. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1886, renowned muralist Diego Rivera was born in Guanajuato, Mexico.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1974, “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas kicked its way to the top spot on the U.S. singles chart.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1915, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal law revoking the citizenship of American women who married noncitizens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.