This Day in History

Soviet hard-liners launched a coup against Gorbachev on this day in 1991. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three men completed an epic hot air balloon ride on this day in 1978. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The last great Gold Rush was sparked on this day in 1896. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Panama Canal opened to shipping on this day in 1914. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A massive blackout affected the eastern U.S. and Canada on this day in 2003. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Elvis classic was first recorded by someone else on this day in 1952. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We said goodbye to three pop culture icons on this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A cult classic opened on this day in 1973. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An American institution was established on this day in 1846. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new presidential era began on this day in 1974. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lights went on at Wrigley on this day in 1988. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A prestigious military honor was created on this day in 1782. 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 beloved comic strip debuted on this day in 1924. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Frank family was captured by the Nazis on this day in 1944. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nautilus submarine traveled under the North Pole on this day in 1958. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A harrowing experience for future President Kennedy began on this day in 1943. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world's largest regional theme park company launched on this day in 1961. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America's favorite Frenchman joined the Continental Army on this day in 1777. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America's official motto was signed into law on this day in 1956. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A serial killer began his spree on this day in 1976. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A plane crashed into a New York City landmark on this day in 1945. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The tragic crime that led to the creation of a long-running TV show happened on this day in 1981. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal agency was born on this day in 1908. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A famous spy was sentenced to death on this day in 1917. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A religious leader established a new homeland on this day in 1847. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An infamous music festival took over upstate New York on this day in 1999. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abraham Lincoln made a fateful decision on this day in 1862. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A historic era in American spaceflight ended on this day in 1969. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A beloved Hollywood star unexpectedly passed away on this day in 1973. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A small town in western New York hosted a historic event on this day in 1848. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Romanian gymnast achieved the unachievable on this day in 1976. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Spanish Civil War began on this day in 1936. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tragedy struck an American dynasty on this day in 1999. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A key to understanding ancient Egypt was discovered on this day in 1799. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A notorious Wild West outlaw met a violent end on this day in 1881. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The highest-grossing movie of 1990 opened on this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disco was dealt a death blow on this day in 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A popular American novel was published on this day in 1960. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A life-saving surgery was performed on this day in 1893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A U.S. president died suddenly on this day in 1850. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A German army staffer revealed Hitler's plans for Russia on this day in 1941. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Reagan made an unlikely Supreme Court nominee choice this day in 1981. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of music's most famous partnerships began on this day in 1957. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A staple piece of swimwear was unveiled on this day in 1946. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on this day in 1776. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Americans fell in love with flying cars and flux capacitors on this day in 1985. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A well-known charity was founded on this day in 1865. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The way we send mail was improved on this day in 1963. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The foundation of physics was forever changed on this day in 1905. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Hollywood bombshell's life was tragically cut short on this day in 1967. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices