Today in 1792, George Washington was re-elected president.
Today in 1804, Thomas Jefferson was re-elected President.
Today in 1832, Andrew Jackson was re-elected President of the United States.
Today in 1848, President Polk triggered Gold Rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California.
Today in 1893, an electric car built at the Dixon Carriage works in Toronto was unveiled – it could go 15-miles between charges.
Today in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the Repeal of Prohibition.
Today in 1951, the first push button-controlled garage – known as the ‘Park-O-Mat – opened in Washington, DC. A single attendant, without entering a car, could automatically park or return an auto in less than a minute.
Today in 1955, the Civil Rights boycott of the Montgomery, Alabama bus system began, after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man four days earlier. The successful boycott lasted almost a year before the bus line decided to desegregate their buses – it was the first such demonstration of that scale in the country’s history.
Today in 1978,San Francisco got its first female mayor as city supervisor Dianne Feinstein was named to replace the assassinated George Moscone.
Today in 1991,Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson was released after nearly seven years in captivity in Lebanon.
Today in 1999, Cuban President Fidel Castro demanded that the United States return five-year-old Elian Gonzalez, who was rescued at sea, to his father in Cuba within 72 hours. It didn’t happen…and instead, the child was removed at gunpoint from a Miami home the following April. Held while legal appeals of relatives were exhausted, he was in his father’s custody and ultimately returned to Cuba in June 2000. He has said that he never regretted returning to Cuba.
Today in 2004, “60 Minutes” aired Bob Dylan's first TV interview in 19 years. Speaking to Ed Bradley, Dylan discussed his childhood, songwriting, his relationship with the press, his name, the public's perception of him, his marriage and why he continues to make music and tour.
Today in 2006, Audrey Hepburn's little black Givenchy dress from film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was auctioned for charity at Christie's, London – and went for a record $923,187.
Today in 2008,J. Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery. Expected to serve at least nine, he was granted parole in July 2017 – and walked out of prison the following October.
Today in 2017, Democratic representative John Conyers resigned from Congress amid accusations of sexual harassment and a cover-up. While he initially said he’d fight on, Conyers ultimately caved – making the announcement from his hospital bed – though he maintained the charges weren’t true.
Today in 2018, the state funeral for former president George H W Bush, saw the eulogy offered by George W. Bush, and was attended by President Donald Trump predecessors Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
Today in 2019, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, announced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump would be drawn up for abuse of power.
Today in 2021, Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was held for Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Berry Gordy, Lorne Michaels and Justino Diaz with President Biden attending in Washington DC.