Today in 1848, the U.S. began circulating the silver dollar coin.
Today in 1923, King Tut's Tomb was first opened after having been sealed in Egypt's Valley of The Kings for about 3400-years.
Today in 1948, NBC-TV presented the first daily newsreel telecast. The program was known as the "20th Century Fox - Movietone News.”
Today in 1968, the nation's first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Alabama.
Today in 1972, Wilt Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Lakers became the first player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point mark for his career during a 110-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Chamberlain also passed Bill Russell during the 1971-72 season to become the NBA's all-time leading rebounder.
Today in 1980, American speed skater Eric Heiden captured the second of five gold medals at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, while the U.S. Hockey team defeated Norway 5-1. He won every event he competed in.
Today in 1996, world chess champion Gary Kasparov won for the second time against IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue" in the fifth game of their match in Philadelphia. Kasparov had drawn twice and lost once.
Today in 1999, testimony began in the Jasper, Texas, trial of John William King, who was charged with murder in the gruesome dragging death of James Byrd Junior. King was later convicted and sentenced to death.
Today in 2005, the Kyoto global warming pact went into effect.
Today in 2005, the NHL cancelled the 2004-2005 season due to a labor dispute. This was the first time that a North American professional sports league had to cancel a season due to a labor dispute.
Today in 2006, the last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) was decommissioned by the United States Army.
Today in 2020, the United States evacuated 400 American citizens from COVID-19-infected cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined in Yokohama port, Japan.