Today in 1776, Thomas Paine published his first "American Crisis" essay, in which he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls."
Today in 1857, the first roll of commercially produced toilet paper was sold.
Today in 1973, Johnny Carson started a fake toilet-paper scare on the "Tonight Show." In his monologue, he told his huge audience that a Wisconsin congressman had warned that toilet paper was disappearing from supermarket shelves. Due to his gag – it did in many areas of the United States.
Today in 1998, President Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice, becoming only the second chief executive to be ordered to stand trial in the Senate. Like Andrew Johnson before him, he was acquitted.
Today in 2002, Senator Trent Lott resigned as the Senate Majority Leader as a result of political pressure that followed his making what was deemed a highly racist comment weeks before.
Today in 2007, after proclaiming independence, the Lakotah people, a Native American tribe, withdrew all their treaties with the United States. They then proceeded to establish the Republic of Lakotah.
Today in 2008, US President George W. Bush signed a $17.4-billion rescue package of loans for ailing automakers General Motors and Chrysler.
Today in 2012, UBS bank was fined $1.5-billion for its role in manipulating the Libor rate.
Today in 2016, a truck was driven into a Christmas market in Berlin – killing 12, and injuring 56. The perpetrator was a failed Tunisian asylum seeker. Four days after the attack, he was killed in a shootout with police near Milan in Italy.
Today in 2016, the Electoral Collage voted 304 to 227 to nominate Donald Trump for President over the objections of seven faithless electors.
Today in 2018, President Donald Trump announced victory over ISIS and his planned withdrawal of American troops from Syria.