History

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1848: In a message before Congress, President James K. Polk sparks the Gold Rush when he confirms that large amounts of the precious metal had been discovered in California (more info) 1933: The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, bringing an end to the prohibition of alcohol in America (more info) Re

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1875: Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison and flees the country (more info) 1918: President Woodrow Wilson sails for the World War I peace talks in Versailles, becoming the first U.S. president to travel to Europe while in office (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1818: Illinois becomes the 21st U.S. state (more info) 1964: Police arrest over 800 students at the University of California-Berkeley following their takeover and sit-in at the administration building to demonstrate against the regents' decision to forbid protests on U.C. property (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1981: In Geneva, representatives from the United States and the Soviet Union begin to negotiate intermediate-range nuclear-weapons reductions in Europe (more info) 1982: Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,' the best-selling album of all time, is released (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1929: American explorer Richard Byrd and three companions become the first to fly over the South Pole (more info) 1947: Despite strong Arab opposition, the United Nations votes for the partition of Palestine and the creation of the independent Jewish state of Israel (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1520: Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Pacific Ocean with three ships, becoming the first European to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific (more info) 1895: Frank Duryea wins the first motor-car race in the United States (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1095: Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont (more info) 1895: At the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris, Alfred Nobel signs his last will and testament, setting aside his estate to establish the Nobel Prize after he dies (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1947: The "Hollywood Ten" are blacklisted by Hollywood movie studios (more info) 1952: Agatha Christie's murder-mystery play 'The Mousetrap' opens at the Ambassadors Theatre in London, eventually becoming the longest-continuously-running play in history (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1945: Trials against 24 Nazi war criminals start at the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, Germany (more info) 1947: Princess—now Queen—Elizabeth marries Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in London (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1869: The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, opens in Egypt (more info) 1968: Viewers of the Raiders-Jets football game are prevented from watching its exciting finish when NBC switches its broadcast to the movie 'Heidi,' prompting changes to sports broadcasting in the U.S. (more info) Read Mo

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1907: Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory collectively enter the United States as Oklahoma, the 46th state (more info) 1914: The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opens (more info)