Today in 1775, at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, George Washington was named Supreme Commander. Also? Paper currency was issued for the first time.
Today in 1869, a golden spike was driven at Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.
Today in 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first woman nominated for the U.S. Presidency. She was chosen for the ballot by the National Woman Suffrage Association in New York City. Of course, Woodhull was not elected; nor has any woman ever been elected to the office of U.S. President (yet). The closest any woman has come to the top seat of the nation since Victoria Woodhull was Geraldine Ferraro who was on the Democratic party slate as the Vice-Presidential candidate in 1984.
Today in 1883, the first appendectomy was performed in North America by Abraham Groves in Canada.
Today in 1908, the first Mother's Day observance took place during a church service in Grafton, West Virginia and Philadelphia.
Today in 1924, Edgar Hoover was given the job of FBI director, having been appointed by President Calvin Coolidge. He served until 1972.
Today in 1960, the nuclear-powered submarine USS Triton completed its submerged navigation of the globe.
Today in 1964, a new study linked smoking to an increase in heart attacks for the first time. The findings, which were announced by the American Cancer Society, offered the first comprehensive compilation of research linking cigarette smoking to severe adverse health effects.
Today in 1969, American troops began the attack on Hill 937 (aka "Hamburger Hill") in Vietnam.
Today in 1983, "Laverne And Shirley" last aired on ABC.
Today in 1994,serial killer John Wayne Gacy was executed by lethal injection at Stateville penitentiary in Joliet, Illinois. He had been convicted of killing 33 young men and boys during the 70s.
Today in 1999, a military jury at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, sentenced Captain Richard Ashby, a Marine pilot whose jet had clipped an Italian gondola cable, sending 20 people plunging to their deaths. He was sentenced to six months in prison and dismissed from the corps for helping hide a videotape shot during the flight.
Today in 2005, a hand grenade thrown by Vladimir Arutyunian landed about 65-feet from President George W. Bush while he was giving a speech to a crowd in Tbilisi, Georgia (that’d be the country in Eastern Europe, not the American state). Fortunately the grenade malfunctioned and didn’t detonate. Still, he was later found guilty on charges including terrorism, treason, attempted assassination and the killing of a police officer – and was sentenced to life in prison.
Today in 2007, a fire broke out in the hills north and west of the city of Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California. The fire burned over 4,000 acres and number of buildings and was brought under control before the city of Avalon was threatened. The fire brought back memories of the 1915 fire, which destroyed half of the buildings on the island; six hotels and several clubs.
Today in 2013, the Internal Revenue Service apologized for what it acknowledged was “inappropriate” targeting of conservative political groups during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status.
Today in 2017, President Donald Trump shared classified information about ISIS plot with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office.