Today in 1774, John Chapman was born. Better known as Johnny Appleseed, he planted orchards, befriended wild animals, and was considered at great “medicine man” by Native Americans.
Today in 1789, Thomas Jefferson was appointed America's first Secretary of State. John Jay was appointed the first chief justice of the U.S. Samuel Osgood was appointed the first Postmaster-General. Edmund Jennings Randolph was appointed the first Attorney General.
Today in 1955, the New York Stock Exchange suffered its worst decline since 1929 when the word was released concerning U.S. President Eisenhower's heart attack.
Today in 1960, the first televised debate between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy took place in Chicago. Nixon's most glaring problem was flop-sweat. He repeatedly had to wipe beads of perspiration off his lip. Even his chin grew noticeably moist. Kennedy, however, looked cool and poised.
Today in 1983, we almost went nuclear with Russia as a Soviet military officer, Stanislav Petrov, averted a potential worldwide nuclear war. He declared a false alarm after a U.S. attack was detected by a Soviet early warning system. It was later discovered the alarms had been set off when the satellite warning system mistakenly interpreted sunlight reflections off clouds as the presence of enemy missiles.
Today in 1990, the Motion Picture Association of America announced it had created the new "NC-17" rating. This was designed to bar moviegoers under the age of 17 from certain films without the commercial stigma of the old "X" rating.
Today in 1991, four men and four women began a two-year stay inside a sealed-off structure in Oracle, Arizona called "Biosphere Two." The project was intended to develop technology for future space colonies. On this day in 1993, those same eight people who had stayed in "Biosphere II" emerged from their sealed off environment.
Today in 1995, Ross Perot announced he would form a new Independent Party that would field its own White House candidate and would try to be the swing vote in congressional races.
Today in 1996, Shannon Lucid returned to Earth after being in space for 188 days. The time set a record for Shannon as a US astronaut and as a woman.
Today in 1999, America won its first Ryder Cup since 1993 after trailing the European team 10-to-6 going into the final round. To the anger of the Europeans, the US players, along with caddies, officials and wives, stormed the green to congratulate Justin Leonard for a 45-foot putt that all but won the tournament for the Americans.
Today in 2001, protestors stormed the abandoned U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. It was the largest anti-American protest since the terror attacks on of September 11th.
Today in 2001, in New York City, hundreds of people began the process of filing for death certificates for family members still missing in the ruins of the World Trade Center. At the time more than 6,300 people were listed as “missing.”
Today in 2008, legendary actor Paul Newman died at his home in Connecticut at age 83 following a valiant – and very private – battle with cancer.
Today in 2016, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton faced off against Republican nominee Donald Trump at Hofstra University in the first US Presidential debate.