March 4th
Today in 1634, Samuel Cole opened the first tavern in Boston, Massachusetts.
Today in 1789, the Constitution of the United States went into effect as the first Federal Congress (9 senators, 13 reps) met in New York. The lawmakers then immediately adjourned due to the lack of a quorum.
Today in 1791, Vermont was admitted to the Union as the 14th state(the first addition to the 13 colonies.)
Today in 1793, George Washington was sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. He gave an inauguration speech of only 133 words –it remains the shortest ever.
Today in 1794,the U.S. Congress passed the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which limited jurisdiction of federal courts to hear cases brought against a state by citizens of another state. It was ratified by the states the following February.
Today in 1877,Emile Berliner invented the microphone.
Today in 1917, Montana Republican Jeanette Rankin, the first woman elected to the House of Representatives,took her seat in Congress.
Today in 1933,President Franklin Roosevelt gave his famous inauguration speech, which included the famed line: “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
Today in 1962, the Atomic Energy Commission announced that the first atomic power plant in Antarctica was in operationat McMurdo Sound.
Today in 1974, the first issue of “People” magazine arrived on newsstands.
Today in 1985, a virtual banon leaded gasoline was ordered by the EPA, requiring the removal of 90% of the lead from gas by the end of the year.
Today in 1993, a Muslim fundamentalist arrested in the World Trade Center bombing appeared in Manhattan federal court. The 1993 blast underneath the world famous Twin Towers caused six deaths and injured over one thousand.
Today in 1994,four Muslim Extremists were convicted of the World Trade Center bombing of 1993. They were later sentenced to prison terms of 240 years each.
Today in 1997, calling creation of life "a miracle that reaches beyond laboratory science," President Clinton barred spending federal money on human cloning.
Today in 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment at work is illegal even when the offender and victim are of the same gender.
Today in 1999, in a move that outraged Italian authorities, a military jury in North Carolina cleared a Marine pilot of charges that he was flying recklessly when his jet sliced through a ski gondola cable in the Alps, sending 20 people plunging to their deaths.
Today in 1999,“Monica’s Story,” Monica Lewinsky's book about her affair with President Clinton (as written by Andrew Morton)went on sale in the U.S.
Today in 2005,Martha Stewart was released from federal prison near Alderson, West Virginia.She served five months for lying about her sale of ImClone stock in 2001.
Today in 2008,YouTube faced criticism and possibly criminal charges for allowing users to upload violent or sexually explicit content to the Internet. The story broke that a video showed a mother from South London being sexually assaulted by three boys after her drink was drugged the previous November. The video was seen by more than 600 viewers before being taken offline the following February.
Today in 2008,the co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons, Gary Gygax,died at the age of 69. He developed the game in 1974. Gygax was suffering from health problems for several years.
Today in 2009,Queen Elizabeth granted Ted Kennedy an honorary knighthood for his services to the Northern Ireland peace process.
Today in 2017,President Donald Trump tweeted the accusation that former President Obama had wiretapped Trump Towers during the presidential campaignwithout offering any evidence to support it.
Today in 2019,House Democrats announced a wide-ranging corruption investigation into President Donald Trump.