March 3rd
Today in America's Present Past
1634 | The first tavern in America opens, Cole’s Inn, in Boston, Massachusetts.
1801 | Civil Rights: David Emmanuel was the first Jewish Governor in America to take office in Georgia.
1803 | Congress: The first government official impeachment trial focused on John Pickering began.
1807 | POTUS: Democratic-Republican President Thomas Jefferson signs the Insurrection Act.
1813 | The U.S. Army forms the Office of Surgeon General.
1815 | Congress: The U.S. declares war on Algiers.
1820 | Congress: Passage of the Missouri Compromise.
1831 | Entrepreneur George Pullman was born.
1838 | Astronomer George William Hill was born.
1837 | Congress: Increases the size of SCOTUS from seven to nine members.
1840 | New Perce leader Chief Joseph was born.
1845 | STATEHOOD: Florida granted statehood.
1847 | Inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born.
1855 | Congress: Appropriates $30,000 to test military use of camels.
1855 | Architect Robert Mills died.
1863 | Congress: Enacts a draft.
1865 | POTUS: Republican President Lincoln signed the Freedmen’s Bureau Act.
1869 | Civil Rights: University of South Carolina opens to all.
1871 | Congress: Indian tribe status changed from independent to dependent.
1871 | Congress: Created a “civil service” system for government workers.
1873 | POTUS: Republican President Grant signed the Comstock Act.
1877 | POUTS: President Hayes takes the oath of office in private due to the 4th falling on a Sunday.
1879 | Civil Rights: A female lawyer, Ms. Lockwood, presented the first argument before SCOTUS.
1885 | American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) formed.
1891 | Congress: Creates the U.S. Court of Appeals.
1891 | POTUS: Republican President Harrison signs the Forest Reserve Act.
1895 | General Matthew Ridgeway was born.
1899 | George Dewy became the first to be promoted to Admiral of the Navy.
1905 | U.S. Forest Service is formed.
1911 | Actress Jean Harlow was born.
1917 | Congress: Enacted the first excess profits tax on corporations.
1918 | Chemist Arthur Kornberg was born.
1931 | Congress: Enacts the “Star Spangled Banner” as the national anthem.
1934 | Outlaw John Dillinger breaks out of jail.
1943 | WWII: US forces defeat the Japanese at the Battle of Bismarck Sea.
1943 | Author Roger Swaybill was born.
1945 | WWII: US forces liberate Corregidor.
1959 | Comedian Lou Costello died.
1982 | Actress Jessica Biel was born.
1991 | Civil Rights: L.A. police beat motorist Rodney King.
1991 | Entrepreneur Author Murray died.
2017 | Economist Stephen Ross died.