December 1

Today in America's Present Past

1641 | Civil Rights: Massachusetts became the first colony to give statutory recognition to slavery.

1797 | Founder Oliver Wolcott died.

A depiction of Philip Spencer

1842 | Philip Spencer, became the first U.S. naval officer condemned for mutiny.

1847 | Poet Julia Ann Moore was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

1875 | Heinz Noble & Company declares bankruptcy.

1886 | Novelist Rex Stout was born.

1896 | The first certified public accountants receive certificates.

Robert Welch

1899 | Entrepreneur and activist Robert W. Welch Jr. was born.

1897 | SCOTUS: Justice Stephen Field resigned.

1903 | Film: “The Great Train Robbery” debuted.

1912 | Architect Minoru Yamasaki was born.

1913 | The first drive-up automobile gas station opened (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).

1917 | Father Flanagan founded Boys Town, Omaha, Nebraska.

1923 | Admiral Stansfield Turner was born.

1940 | Actor Richard Pryor was born.

An early C.A.P. recruiting poster

1941 | The Civil Air Patrol is formed (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary).

1942 | WWII: Gasoline is rationed.

1943 | Entrepreneur Nicholas Peter Negroponte was born.

1944 | General Michael Hagee was born.

1945 | Actress Bette Midler was born.

1952 | Playboy Magazine debuted.

1955 | Civil Rights: Rosa Parks was arrested on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

1955 | Cherokee Chief Thundercloud died.

1958 | A school fire in Chicago, Illinois at Our Lady of Angels kills 92 students.

First color photograph of earth from space

1959 | The first color photograph of the Earth received from outer space.

1961 | Entrepreneur Safra Catz was born.

1969 | Vietnam War: The first lottery draft is held.

1970 | Actress Sarah Silverman was born.

1975 | TV: “PBS NewsHour” debuted.

1975 | POTUS: Republican President Ford visited China.

1982 | Film: “Tootsie” debuted.

1984 | Film: “Beverly Hills Cop” debuted.

1987 | Author James Baldwin died.

1991 | Nobel economist George Joseph Stigler died.

1995 | General Maxwell Thurman died.

2023 | Congress: The House Of Representatives voted to expel Congressman George Santos.

Sandra Day O’Connor (right), President Reagan (left)

2023 | SCOTUS: Justice Sandra Day O’Connor died.

2024 | POTUS: Democrat President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden.