Mark's Almanac

It was on this date in 1911 that the Triangle Shirtwaist Company sweatshop fire occurred. The fire led to better legislation being passed that would improve working conditions.

It was on this date in 1892 that the first long-distance phone call took place. It was between the mayors of Chicago and New York City. It was also on this date in 1932 that the first radio broadcast from something moving took place on a train.

It was on this date in 1839 that the term 'okay' was first used. Within a year, the term became so popular that presidential candidates began using it. And it was on this date in 1921 that Germany announced it couldn't pay reparations to the Allies as stipulated in the Treaty of Versailles.

It was on this date in 1933 that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen–Harrison Act. The act legalized the sale of beer and wine only containing up to 3.2% of alcohol. The 21st Amendment fully legalizing alcohol would be ratified later that year. And it was on this date in 1941 that Jimmy Stewart became the first major Hollywood actor to serve in WWII.

It was on this date in 1844 that Baptist preacher William Miller predicted the return of Christ and the end of the world. When it didn't come true, it became known as the Great Disappointment. And it was on this date in 1944 that the sale of an alarm clock nearly caused a riot in Chicago.

It was on this date in 1877 that President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Frederick Douglass the U.S. Marshal of the District of Columbia. And it was on this date in 1966 that the Scott Paper Company introduced a wearable disposable paper dress.

It was on this date in 461 that Saint Patrick is said to have died. Today we celebrate the day as St. Patrick's Day.

It was on this date in 1867 that Joseph Lister published his first article outlying the discovery of antiseptic surgery. And it was on this date in 1935 that Adolf Hitler openly ordered German rearmament, in direct violation of the Treaty of Versaille.

It was on this date in 44 BC that Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by Brutus, Cassius, and several other Roman Senators. And it was on this date in 1892 that Jesse Wilford Reno patented what would become the modern escalator.

It was on this date in 1794 that Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin. And it was on this date in 1971 that the Rolling Stones decided to leave England and move to France to avoid paying taxes.

It was on this date in 1888 that one of the worst blizzards ever hit the United States. Hurricane strength winds coupled with heavy snow resulted in 400 people dead between Washington D.C. and Maine.

It was on this date in 1849 that Abraham Lincoln became the only future president to apply for a patent.

It was on this date in 1862 that the Battle of Hampton Roads took place in the American Civil War. It was a naval battle noted for being the first battle between two ironclad ships - the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia. And it was on this date in 1954 that respected journalist Edward R. Murrow used his TV show to take on Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his hunt for communists.

It was on this date in 1930 that Babe Ruth made headlines by signing what was then, a hefty contract worth $160,000. That would be $2,693,633.53 in today's money. And on this date in 1962, the Beatles made their television debut on the BBC.

It was on this date in 1876 that Alexander Graham Bell received the patent for the telephone. And it was on this date in 1996 that the Hubble telescope took snapshots of Pluto for the first time.

It was on this date in 1849 that some argue that David Rice Atchison was acting President of the United States.

It was on this date in 1815 that the U.S. declared war on Algiers in the Second Barbary War. And it was on this date in 1855 that the U.S. Congress approved funding to see if camels could be used for military use.

It was on this date in 1877 that the 1876 election was finally decided for U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes. And it was on this date in 1882 that the last of many attempts on Queen Victoria's life was made.

It was on this date in 1803 that Ohio became a state. And it was on this date in 1917 that the public was shown the secret Zimmermann Cable in which Germany proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico.

It was on this date in 1883 that the first Vaudeville theatre opened in Boston. And it was on this date in 1972 that George Harrison and his wife Pattie got into a severe car accident. Their Mercedes was a total wreck.

It was on this date in 1955, U.S. President Eisenhower complained of indigestion, later diagnosed as a heart attack. And it was on this date in 1964, the Munsters took to the airwaves on CBS.

It was on this date in 1938, the 1939 World's Fair was announced. And on this date in 1962, ABC's first color television show premiered.

It was on this date in 1862, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln released the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation.

It was on this date in 1893, the first automobile in America ran in Springfield, Massachusetts. And on this date in 1970, the first Monday Night Football game aired on ABC.

It was on this date in 1899, the Maple Leaf Rag was published by Scott Joplin. And it was on this date in 1965, two famous sitcoms premiered on NBC.

On this date in 1862, the battle of Antietam began. And on this date in 1920, a meeting was held in Canton, Ohio on the formation of the American Professional Football Conference - what would later become the NFL.

On this date in 1920, a bomb exploded in the Financial District of New York City. And it was on this date in 1950, the Cleveland Browns beat the defending NFL champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.

On this date in 1831, John Bull started service as the first successful steam locomotive in the United States. And it was on this date in 1965, a show premiered featuring the Robinson family and their journey through outer space.

On this date in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States.

On this date 19 years ago today, the nation was rocked by the deadliest terrorist attack in human history.

It was on this date in 1945, a chicken was beheaded that would go on to live another 18 months. And on this date in 1953, Swanson began making a prepackaged meal perfect for television viewing.

It was on this date in 1753, the first steam engine arrived in the American colonies. And it was on this date in 1776, the Continental Congress formally declared that the new nation would be the United States of America.

It was on this date in 1900 that the worst hurricane in U.S. history hit Galveston, Texas. And it was on this date in 1954 that disc jockey Alan Freed made his way to New York City.

It was on this date in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened in Canton. And on this date in 1979, a 24-hour television sports network went on the air.

On this date in 1894, one of the largest strikes took place in New York City. And it was on this date in 1951, the first transcontinental television broadcast occurred.

It was on this date in 1930, that the fifth deadliest hurricane hit the Dominican Republic. And it was on this date in 1967, that Sweden changed the way they drive.

It was on this date in 1666, the great fire of London started. And on this date in 1902, a French film made history.

It was on this date in 1807, Aaron Burr was aquitted of treason against the United States. And it was on this date in 1939, Germany invaded Poland and World War II began.

It was on this date in 1843, the abolishonist Liberty Party nominated James G. Birney for President. His candidacy likely cost the election for the Whigs leading to James K. Polk's winning of the Presidency in 1844. And on this date in 1895, the first pro football game took place between Latrobe and Jeanette, Pennsylvania teams.

It was on this date in 1898, Pepsi-Cola gained its name. And on this date in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

It was on this date in 1913, a Swedish engineer patented and improved the design of the zipper on pants. And it was on this date in 1964, Disney's Mary Poppins made its cinematic debut.

It was on this date in 1895, Niagara Falls began its use in electricity production. And in 1980, a bomb was discovered at Harvey's Wagon Wheel resort in Stateline, Nevada.

It was on this date in 1609, Galileo demenostrated his first telescope to Vencitian lawmakers. Also on this date in 1921, the United States signed a peace treaty with Germany that officially ended World War I.

It was on this date in 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted leading to the death of 15,000. Also on this date in 1857, a stock market panic lead to one of the most severe economic crisises in the U.S.

It was on this date in 1897, Ransom E. Olds founded the Oldsmobile automotive brand. And on this date in 1942, Walt Disney premiered the movie involving forest animals and a small deer named Bambi.

It was on this date in 1866, that President Andrew Johnson made a proclamation to the world declaring the U.S. Civil War officially over. And it was on this date in 1920, the first radio station licensed by the U.S. government made its debut in Detroit.

It was on this date in 1839, the first practical photographic process was released to the public. And on this date in 1909, the first race was held of the famed Indianapolis 500.

It was on this date in 1914, President Woodraw Wilson issued his proclamation of neutrality prior to America's entry into World War I. And it was on this date in 1920 that Tennessee became the final state to vote for passage of the 19th Admendment.

It was on this date in 1807, Robert Fulton's steamboat Clermont became the first successful steamboat put into commercial use. And on this date in 1859, the first air mail trip took off.

On this date in 1959, the American Football League was born. And 0n this date in 1966, Cleveland Municipal Stadium put on its first rock show featuring four lads from Liverpool.

On this date in 1868, a massive earthquake hit Peru with a magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter scale. And on this date in 2015, the United States government returned a stolen Picasso painting to France.