Today in 1853, President Franklin Pierce signed the Gadsden Purchase, buying 29,670 square-miles from Mexico for $10-million. We now know that area as southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Today in 1869, Ives W. McGaffey received a U.S. patent for the suction vacuum cleaner – or as it was called, the “improved sweeping-machine.”
Today in 1921, Babe Ruth was arrested for speeding, fined $100…and held in jail until 4pm.
Today in 1951, SCOTUS ruled that "clear & present danger" of incitement to riot is not protected speech and can be a cause for arrest.
Today in 1953, the Supreme Court ruled that restaurants in the District of Columbia could not refuse service to African Americans.
Today in 1966, the National and American Football Leagues announced plans to merge. Two conferences of 13 teams each were formed ... and the rest is NFL history.
Today in 1968, the body of assassinated U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Today in 1968, authorities announced the capture in London of James Earl Ray, the suspected assassin of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Junior.
Today in 1981, the Supreme Court ruled that women who were paid less than men could sue their employers, even if the jobs were not exactly identical.
Today in 1982, President Ronald Reagan addressed the British Parliament in his "ash heap of history" speech.
Today in 1987, Fawn Hall began testifying at the Iran/Contra hearings. She was Oliver North’s personal secretary. She revealed that she shredded sensitive documents and smuggled other documents from the White House in her clothes.
Today in 1991, a victory parade was held in Washington, D.C. to honor veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
Today in 1993, the US Supreme Court ruled that religious groups could sometimes meet on school property after hour.
Today in 1995, Mickey Mantle received a liver transplant at a Dallas hospital; however, the baseball great died two months later.
Today in 1998, the space shuttle Discovery pulled away from Mir, ending America's three-year partnership with Russia.
Today in 1999, President Clinton announced new restrictions aimed at making it tougher for teens to sneak into R-rated movies.
Today in 2000, the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils played the NHL’s longest scoreless game in Stanley Cup finals history. The fifth game of the series lasted 106 minutes and 21 seconds. The game ended with a goal by Mike Modano that allowed the Stars to play a game six back in Dallas.
Today in 2017, ex-FBI chief James Comey testified to a US Senate committee that President Donald Trump told "lies plain and simple."
Today in 2020, former astronaut Kathy Sullivan became the first woman to reach deepest point of the ocean – courtesy of the Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench. And PS? She was formerly the first American woman to spacewalk.