Today in 1897, Guglielmo Marconi made the first communication by wireless telegraph.
Today in 1917, the first recorded appearance of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children took place in Fatima, Portugal.
Today in 1940, in his first speech as prime minister of Britain, Winston Churchill told the House of Commons, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."
Today in 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt. He was shot in St. Peter’s Square in Rome in front of 20,000 worshippers. After the shooting, police took in Turkish citizen Mehmet Ali Agca.
Today in 2001, Alex Rodriguez became the fifth-youngest (25 years, 289 days) player to hit his 200th career homer. Mel Ott accomplish the feat in 1934 at the youngest age (25 years, 144 days) followed by Eddie Mathews (25 years, 243 days), Jimmie Foxx (25 years, 267 days) and Mickey Mantle (25 years, 280 days). Of course, later we found out that he didn’t do it naturally.
Today in 2003, the U.S. government unveiled a new color designed $20 bill, it was the first time bills were colorized as an effort to stop counterfeiters.
Today in 2013, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield departed the International Space Station to return to Earth.
Today in 2014, Christopher Columbus’ flagship, the Santa María, was discovered off the northern coast of Haiti.
Today in 2017, Donald Trump used his first commencement address as president to urge graduates of Liberty University, a Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, to follow their convictions, prepare to face criticism, and relish the opportunity to be an “outsider,” saying, “It’s the outsiders who change the world Donald Trump used his first commencement address as president to urge graduates of Liberty University, a Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, to follow their convictions, prepare to face criticism and relish the opportunity to be an “outsider,” saying, “It’s the outsiders who change the world.”