First transatlantic telegraph cable completed
On this day in US history, after multiple unsuccessful attempts, the first telegraph line across the Atlantic Ocean was completed on August 5, 1858. Cyrus West Field conceived the idea…
Nautilus sub travels under North Pole
On this day in US history, the US nuclear submarine Nautilus accomplished the first undersea voyage to the geographic North Pole on August 3, 1958. The first nuclear submarine ever made…
Labor Leader Jimmy Hoffa Reported Missing
On this day in US history, James Hoffa, one of the most influential American labor leaders of the 20th century, was reported missing after failing to return home on July…
NASA created
On this day in US history, Congress passed legislation officially establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on July 29, 1958. This civilian agency is responsible for coordinating America’s…
14th Amendment adopted
On this day in US history, after three-quarters of US states ratified the bill, the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the US, was…
Religious pioneers settle Salt Lake Valley
On this day in US history, after over 17 months, Brigham Young led 148 pioneers into Utah’s Valley of the Great Salt Lake on July 24, 1847. Looking for a…
Detroit Riots of 1967 begin
On this day in US history, one of the bloodiest riots in American history started during a period of strife in Detroit on July 23, 1967. A once-affluent city was…
The First Battle of Bull Run
On this day in US history, the first major land battle of the Civil War is carried out between the Union under General Irwin McDowell and the Confederate army under…
Neil Armstrong becomes first American to walk on the moon
On this day in US history, American astronaut Neil Armstrong speaks these words to over a billion people 240,000 miles away at home: “That’s one small step for a man,…
Zebulon Pike leads expedition across American Southwest
On this day in US history, Zebulon Pike, the army officer who led an exploring party in 1805 to find the source of the Mississippi River, set off on a…