History

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1608 – John Smith is elected council president of Jamestown, Virginia (More info) 1897 – A London man is arrested for drunk driving, making him the first person apprehended for the crime (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1776 – The Second Continental Congress changes the name of the nation from the United Colonies to the United States of America (More info) 1850 – California is admitted as the 31st US state, bypassing the usual waiting period of being a territory first (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1504 – Michelangelo’s ‘David’ is unveiled in Florence, Italy (More info) 1966 – The first ‘Star Trek’ series premieres on NBC (More info)

1813 – The United States federal government gets its nickname, Uncle Sam (More info) 1921 – The first Miss America Pageant, a two-day event, is held in Atlantic City, New Jersey (More info)

The terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 left an indelible mark on Americans. But even as the first responders climbed through the rubble in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, the country embarked on a “War on Terror.” With that war came years of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, indefinite detention of terror suspects without charges or trial, enhanced interrogation techniques, extraordinary

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1522 – The Victoria, the only surviving ship of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition, returns to Spain, thus becoming the first ship to circumnavigate the globe (More info) 1901 – Anarchist Leon Czolgosz shoots and fatally wounds US President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1774 – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (More info) 1836 – Sam Houston is elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas (More info)

1888 – George Eastman registers the trademark Kodak and receives a patent for his camera that uses roll film (More info) 1957 – Orval Faubus, governor of Arkansas, calls out the National Guard to prevent African American students from enrolling in Central High School (More info)

What’s not to love about Labor Day? A long weekend, BBQs and parades — really, no responsibilities except for having a great time and toasting the end of summer. But what exactly does Labor Day celebrate?

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1777 – During the American Revolutionary War skirmish at Cooch’s Bridge, the flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time (More info) 1838 – Future abolitionist Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery (More info)

1864 – Atlanta falls to Union forces during the Civil War (More info) 1897 – The Boston subway opens, becoming the first underground rapid transit system in North America (More info)

1803 – Lewis and Clark start their expedition to the west (More info) 1888 – Mary Ann Nichols, the first of Jack the Ripper’s confirmed victims, is murdered (More info)