Today in 1844, the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid at Bedloe's Island (now called, Liberty Island), in New York Harbor. President Grover Cleveland accepted the actual statue as a gift to the United States from the people of France, on October 28th, 1886.
Today in 1858, Cyrus Field completed laying the first successful and permanent telegraph cable under the Atlantic Ocean, linking America with Europe.
Today in 1861, the federal government levied an income tax for the first time.
Today in 1861, the U.S. Army abolished flogging.
Today in 1957, "American Bandstand," hosted by Dick Clark, made its TV network debut on ABC-TV. The first guests were Billy Williams and The Chordettes. Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" was the first record played. The show had begun airing in 1952 on a local Philadelphia TV station.
Today in 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead. She had died the night before of a barbiturate overdose at the age of 36.
Today in 1974, President Richard Nixon admitted that he had withheld information about Watergate break-in with the release of the so-called ‘Smoking Gun’ tape.
Today in 1982, President Regan fired 11,500 striking air traffic controllers.
Today in 1984, American Joan Benoit won the first Olympic marathon for women (2:24:52) ahead of Grete Waitz of Norway at the Los Angeles Games.
Today in 1985, the establishment of a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was announced.
Today in 2011, Juno, the first solar-powered spacecraft to go to Jupiter, was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Today in 2012, a gunman opened fire on Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin killing six people before being shot to death by police. The man was later identified as an Army veteran and white supremacist. In the aftermath, Pardeep Singh Kaleka – whose father was killed in the attack – found solace in a friendship with Arno Michaelis…a white supremacist who was inspired to change after the incident. The pair teamed up on the book, “The Gift of Our Wounds,” and are now motivational speakers. Together, they speak about creating peace and ending racism.
Today in 2013, New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez was banned for 211 games for using human growth hormones in what became known as the Biogenesis Laboratory scandal. While he had insisted publicly that he was clean, he actually owned up to the DEA.
Today in 2014, Obama signed The Iron Dome Bill providing $225-million in additional funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense.
Today in 2017, UN Security Council voted to impose sanctions on North Korea for its continued missile program.