Today in 1889, the “hamburger steak” reportedly first appeared on a restaurant menu in Walla Walla, Washington. Still, it was back in 1885 that Charlie Nagreen (“Hamburger Charlie”) allegedly sold meatballs from his ox-drawn food stand at the Outagamie County Fair. Since meatballs were difficult to eat for the visitors at the fair he flattened them and placed them between two slices of bread. He called his creation the hamburger and was later known as “Hamburger Charlie.” So who made the first one? That remains under debate. The Library of Congress, however, credits Danish immigrant Louis Lassen of Louis' Lunch, a small lunch wagon in New Haven, Connecticut, with selling the first hamburger and steak sandwich in the United States – that was in 1895. Louis’ Lunch is still in operation today.
Today in 1925, Nellie T. Ross succeeded her late husband as governor of Wyoming, becoming the first female governor in U.S. history.
Today in 1934, both the National and American baseball leagues decided to use a uniform-size baseball. It was the first time in 33 years that both leagues used the same size ball.
Today in 1940, FM radio was demonstrated for the first time.
Today in 1948, Warner Brothers-Pathe showed the very first color newsreel. The footage was of the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl football game.
Today in 1972, President Nixon ordered the development of the space shuttle.
Today in 1987, President Ronald Reagan underwent prostate surgery at Bethesda Naval Hospital – one day after four small polyps were removed from his colon. Doctors reported no signs of cancer.
Today in 1993, the state of Washington executed Westley Allan Dodd, an admitted child sex killer, in America's first legal hanging since 1965…and the last.
Today in 1996, the longest government shutdown ended after 21 days when Congress passed a stopgap spending measure that would allow federal employees to return to work. President Clinton signed the bill the next day.
Today in 1998, a massive ice storm hit eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, continuing through January 10th and causing widespread destruction.
Today in 1999, four US Air Force and Navy jets fired on – and missed – four Iraqi MiGs testing the "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq in the first such air confrontation in more than six years.
Today in 2018, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by Michael Wolff was published by Henry Holt and Company.