Today in 1759, America's first music store opened in Philadelphia.
Today in 1809, the first abdominal surgical procedure – removal of an ovarian cyst – was performed in Danville, Kentucky. The patient was Jane Todd Crawford and the operation was performed without the aid of an anesthetic.
Today in 1903, Italo Marchiony patented the ice cream cone – in New Jersey.
Today in 1978, the Philadelphia mint began stamping the Susan B. Anthony dollar, which went into circulation the following July. The dollars went out of circulation rather quickly, as too many people confused them with quarters.
Today in 1995, by only three votes, the Senate killed a constitutional amendment giving Congress authority to outlaw flag burning and other forms of desecration against Old Glory.
Today in 2000, Vice President Al Gore officially conceded the 2000 Presidential election to Texas Gov. George W. Bush. The Florida electoral votes were won by only 537 votes, which decided the election. The election had been contested up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which said that the Florida recount (supported by the Florida Supreme Court) was unconstitutional.
Today in 2001, the U.S. government released a videotape that showed Osama bin Laden and others discussing their knowledge of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.
Today in 2001,Gerardo Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison for being the leader of a Cuban spy ring. His conviction was based on his role in the infiltration of U.S. military bases and in the deaths of four Cuban-Americans whose planes were shot down five years before.
Today in 2001, President George W. Bush served formal notice to Russia that the United States was withdrawing from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
Today in 2001, NBC-TV announced that it would begin running hard liquor commercials – a practice previously considered to be taboo. NBC issued a 19-point policy that outlined the conditions for accepting liquor ads.
Today in 2003, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured near his hometown of Tikrit.
Today in 2007, the Mitchell Report publicly released a list of the names of 89 Major League Baseball players that had presumably used anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. Among the players listed: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada.
Today in 2014, hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Washington D.C. in a civil rights protest march against the police killing of unarmed black men.
Today in 2017, Salma Hayek accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment and threatening to kill her in an Op-ed for the “New York Times.”
Today in 2021, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, was named Time's Person of the Year.