Today in 1849, English-born Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to receive a Doctor of Medicine degree, from the Medical Institution of Geneva, New York.
Today in 1897, Elva Zona Heaster, a West Virginia woman was found dead. During her husband’s murder trial, it became the only case in American history in which a conviction was secured with the alleged testimony of a ghost.
Today in 1907, Charles Curtis became the first elected Native American senator. After serving a number of years as a Representative for Kansas, he later became a Senator and ultimately, served as the 31st vice president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 (under Herbert Hoover.
Today in 1960, the U.S. Navy reached the bottom of the Pacific for the first time.
Today in 1962, Jackie Robinson became the first African American player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Today in 1964, the 24th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, abolishing the poll tax, and attempting to prevent the disenfranchisement of African Americans during reconstruction.
Today in 1973, President Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War.
Today in 1977, the TV mini-series, "Roots," based on the Alex Haley novel, began airing on ABC and became the most watched TV program in history.
Today in 1985,J. Simpson became the first Heisman Trophy winner to be elected to pro football's Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Roger Staubach, of the Dallas Cowboys, another Heisman winner, was also elected; but ‘the Juice’ went in first because his name comes before Staubach’s, alphabetically.
Today in 1992, a tabloid report claimed that Gennifer Flowers, a former singer and TV reporter, had a 12-year affair with Bill Clinton. She also claimed she had tape recordings of phone conversations with the then-Governor of Arkansas. Days later, Hillary Clinton later gave her infamous interview in which she said she wasn’t “sitting here, some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette.”
Today in1996, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury. The investigation was concerning the discovery of billing records related to the Whitewater real estate investment venture.
Today in 1999, a federal judge ordered Monica Lewinsky to submit to an interview sought by House prosecutors in President Clinton's impeachment trial. The same day, President Clinton lied and assured his Cabinet during a meeting that he was innocent and urged them to concentrate on their jobs.
Today in 2002, reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan, and later murdered.
Today in 2002, John Walker Lindh (aka Jihad Johnny, the “American Taliban”) returned to the U.S. in FBI custody. Lindh was later charged with conspiring to kill U.S. citizens, providing support to terrorists and engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban while a member of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization in Afghanistan. He was also convicted - accepting a plea bargain; he pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole. His projected release date: May 23rd, 2019. A troubling tidbit? According to an internal report by the National Counterterrorism Center, Lindh said as recently as 2017 that he has not renounced extremist violence.
Today in 2013, the U.S. armed services lifted the ban on women serving in combat.
Today in 2016, a Category 4 blizzard delivered a record 3-feet of snow to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States. As everyone dug out, it was revealed that 55 people had been killed and estimated economic losses were tallied between $500m - $3bn.
Today in 2017, thunderstorms and tornadoes in Georgia and Mississippi left at least 21 dead in the Georgia and Mississippi.
Today in 2018, Neil Diamond announced he was officially retiring from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Today in 2018, Chinese researchers reported that they had cloned two monkeys, using the same technology as Dolly the Sheep.
Today in 2018, LeBron James became the seventh and youngest (at 33-years, 24-days) to reach the 30,000 NBA point milestone during 114-102 loss to San Antonio Spurs.
Today in 2019, a new record was set for the most expensive property in America, as hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin purchased a penthouse condominium overlooking Central Park, New York for $238-million.
Today in 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi disinvited President Donald Trump from making a State of the Union address in Congress citing the government shutdown.