Today in 1850, Senator Henry Clay introduced a compromise bill on slavery in his attempted to calm tensions between the North and South. His bill was defeated, but after being broken up into five smaller bills, it ultimately passed, delaying the escalation of tensions for a few more years.
Today in 1861, Kansas seceded from the Union.
Today in 1877, Congress determined the presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden.
Today in 1886, the first gasoline-fueled car was patented.
Today in 1924, the machine that makes ice cream cones was patented.
Today in 1929, The Seeing Eye, a company set to train dogs to guide the blind, was incorporated in Nashville, Tennessee.
Today in 1936, the first members of baseball's Hall of Fame – including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth – were inducted in Cooperstown, New York.
Today in 1949, "The Newport News" was commissioned as the first air-conditioned naval ship in Virginia.
Today in 1963, the first members of football's Hall of Fame were named in Canton, Ohio. See the extensive list HERE.
Today in 1993, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that the U.S. military's policy against homosexuals was unconstitutional because it was based on cultural myths and false stereotypes.
Today in 1998, a top tobacco company executive admitted under oath to Congress for the first time that cigarettes are dangerous. The testimony by RJR Nabisco chairman and CEO Steven Goldstone came at a hearing where industry leaders pushed Congress to enact a $368.5 billion deal giving them partial immunity from future lawsuits.
Today in 1998, a bomb exploded at an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Alabama killing an off-duty policeman and severely wounding a nurse. Eric Rudolph was charged with this bombing and three other attacks – he spent five years on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list until he was caught in 2003.
Today in 1999, Attorney General Janet Reno rejected a special prosecutor investigation of former White House deputy chief of staff Harold Ickes.
Today in 1999, after two weeks of arguments by House prosecutors and Clinton's lawyers, the Senate rejected a motion to dismiss impeachment charges. The Senate also agreed to authorize subpoenas for questioningof Monica Lewinsky and presidential pal Vernon Jordan.
Today in 2000, Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott (the architects of San Francisco's Super Bowl dynasty), led the class elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which included Howie Long, Dan Rooney and Dave Wilcox. They were officially inducted the following July.
Today in 2001, Steven Spielberg was named an honorary knight of the United Kingdom for his contribution to film in the UK At a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, DC.
Today in 2006, the 39-cent stamp honoring Hattie McDaniel in the dress she wore in 1940 when she became the first African-American actress to accept an Academy Award was released.
Today in 2009, Rod Blagojevich, the Governor of Illinois, was removed from office after being convicted of corruption charges.
Today in 2014, scientists discovered how to convert normal cells to stem cells in mice.
Today in 2015, Malaysia officially declares the disappearance of missing flight MH370 an accident.