Today in History

100,000 people march in New York, supporting U.S. policies in Vietnam.

In South Vietnam, troops of the 101st Airborne Division reach the top of Hill 937 after nine days of fighting entrenched North Vietnamese forces.

A white mob attacks civil rights activists in Montgomery, Alabama.

During the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Captain James Jabara becomes the first jet air ace in history.

Japan completes the conquest of Burma.

Germany invades Crete by air.

Pan American Airways starts the first regular passenger service across the Atlantic.

Amelia Earhart lands near Londonderry, Ireland, to become the first woman fly solo across the Atlantic.

The first airplane is catapulted from a dirigible.

Charles Lindbergh takes off from New York for Paris.

Jimmy Stewart, actor (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr Smith Goes to Washington).

The U.S. military occupation of Cuba ends.

Sigrid Undset, Norwegian novelist (Kristin Lavransdatter).

Levi Strauss begins marketing blue jeans with copper rivets.

President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, providing 250 million acres of free land to settlers in the West.

North Carolina becomes the last state to secede from the Union.

A force of Austrians collide with Piedmontese cavalry at the village of Montebello, in northern Italy.

William George Fargo, one of the founders of Wells, Fargo & Co.

John Stuart Mill, British philosopher and economist.

Honore de Balzac, French novelist (The Human Comedy, Lost Illusions).

The Peace of Versailles ends a war between France, England, and Holland.

North Carolina becomes the first colony to declare its independence.

Parliament passes the Coercive Acts to punish the colonists for their increasingly anti-British behavior. The acts close the port of Boston.

Dolley Madison, first lady of President James Madison.

Stephen Girard, American financier and philanthropist.

England passes the Act of Grace, forgiving followers of James II.

John Sobieski becomes Poland’s first king.

William Bradford, printer.

Hernando Cortes defeats Spanish troops sent against him in Mexico.

Cola di Rienzo takes the title of tribune in Rome.

A peace treaty is signed between England and France.

The Ecumenical council is inaugurated by Emperor Constantine in Nicea.