Today in 1827, the first Mardi-Gras celebration was held in New Orleans.
Today in 1869, John Menard became the first African American to make a speech before Congress. Having won the majority of votes, the election was challenged by his opponent, Caleb Hunt. He demanded to be seated, and was refused. But then, neither was Hunt. Read his speech HERE.
Today in 1875, the bi-racial Senate passed the House-approved Civil Rights Act of 1875. The law protected all Americans, regardless of race, in their access to public accommodations and facilities such as restaurants, theaters, trains and other public transportation, and granted the right to serve on juries. However, the law wasn’t enforced…and the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1883.
Today in 1922, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the 19th amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote.
Today in 1933, German’s parliament building, the Reichstag, in Berlin was set on fire – precisely one month after Adolph Hitler was elected Chancellor. The Nazis blamed the Communists, but it’s widely believed to be a false flag operation. The building remained in its fire-damaged state until it was partially repaired from 1961 to 1964, then completely restored from 1995 to 1999.
Today in 1951, the United States ratified the 22nd Amendment, limiting U.S. Presidents to two terms in office. Constitutional scholars still argue about whether a former two-term president could serve as vice president.
Today in 1997, Sade (aka Helen Folasade) was arrested in Jamaica for disobeying a police officer.
Today in 1998, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's House of Lords agreed to end 1,000 years of male preference by giving a monarch's first-born daughter the same claim to the throne as any first-born son.
Today in 2018, Barbra Streisand revealed she’d had her dog cloned twice.
Today in 2019, the first gun control legislation for 25 years was passed by the House of Representatives, with new federal background checks.