Today in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received his patent on the telephone, though at the time he called it a "Harmonic Telegraph."
Today in 1908, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Breith announced before the city council that, "Women are not physically fit to operate automobiles." That’s funny, because today, women in the U.S. purchase more than 65% of all automobiles sold.
Today in 1926, the first successful transatlantic telephone conversation took place between New York and London.
Today in 1937, U.S. Steel raised workers’ wages to $5 a day.
Today in 1965, sheriffs and state troopers used whips, clubs, and tear gas to disperse civil rights demonstrators marching from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. More than 50 protesters were hurt in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.”
Today in 1990, Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan announced the government would propose a more informative food-labeling system that would require the disclosure of the fat, fiber, and cholesterol content of nearly all packaged foods.
Today in 1994, the US Navy issued its first permanent order assigning women to a combat ship, the USS Eisenhower.
Today in 1996, Magic Johnson became the second NBA player to register 10,000 career assists, with seven assists against Sacramento in the visiting Lakers' 102-89 victory.
Today in 2000, Texas Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore were the big winners in Super Tuesday primaries.
Today in 2019, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain shared her first Instagram post, a letter between mathematician Charles Babbage and Prince Albert.