Today in 1658, the first police force in the United States was established in New York City (then New Amsterdam).
Today in 1812, after studying Louis Pasteur's theory that infections are caused by bacteria, Dr. Joseph Lister became the first surgeon to use disinfectant during an operation.
Today in 1898, the territory of Hawaii was formally annexed to the United States after Congress passed a joint resolution. Hawaii was granted territorial status in 1900 and granted Statehood in 1959.
Today in 1955, President Eisenhower raised the minimum wage from 75-cents to $1 an hour.
Today in 1970, the U.S. Post Office became an independent corporation when President Nixon signed the Postal Reorganization Act.
Today in 1972, the last American combat ground troops left Vietnam.
Today in 1977, the space shuttle prototype Enterprise made its first successful free flight.
Today in 1981, IBM introduced the PC personal computer.
Today in 1984, Carl Lewis won his fourth Gold medal of the 1984 Summer Olympics as he helped the U.S. men's 400-meter relay team to victory.
Today in 1985, the world's worst single-aircraft disaster occurred when a crippled Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashed into a mountain, killing 520 of 524 people aboard.
Today in 1987, President Reagan addressed the nation on the Iran-Contra affair, saying his former national security adviser, John Poindexter, was wrong not to have told him about the diversion of Iran arms-sale money.
Today in 1992, after 14 months of negotiations, the United States, Mexico and Canada announced in Washington, D.C., that they had completed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which would create the world's largest trading bloc.
Today in 1993, President Clinton lifted a ban on rehiring air traffic controllers fired for going on strike in 1981.
Today in 2015, former President Jimmy Carter revealed that he had melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. He has since revealed that he’s in remission.
Today in 2016, American star swimmer Katie Ledecky set the world record 8:04.79 to dominate the women's 800m field at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. In the end, a medal tally of 4 gold, 1 silver made her the most decorated US female athlete at one Olympics.
Today in 2017, the "Unite the Right" march in Charlottesville, Virginia turned violent when car rammed protesters killing one, injuring 19. The man responsible was caught and tried on charges of first-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and failure to stop following an accident resulting in death. He was also charged federally with dozens of hate crimes, that he later plead guilty to. In all, he’s been sentenced to life, plus 419 years and $480-thousand in fines.