October 4
Today in America's Present Past
1648 | The first American volunteer firefighting service was formed (present-day New York City, New York).
1754 | Tanacharison, a Seneca Indian chief, died.
1777 | War of Independence: The Battle of Germantown.
1779 | War of Independence: Fort Wilson Riot.
1802 | Poet William Wordsworth wed Mary Hutchinson.
1822 | POTUS: President Rutherford B. Hayes was born.
1854 | POTUS: Future President Lincoln resumes his political career with a speech denouncing recent federal legislation extending slavery, at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
1857 | Composer Henry Schoenfeld was born.
1861 | Sculptor Frederic Remington was born.
1864 | Civil Rights: First Black daily newspaper launches, the New Orleans Tribune.
1880 | The University of California was founded.
1880 | Author Damon Runyon was born.
1890 | Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Booth died.
1895 | Comedian Buster Keaton was born.
1905 | POTUS: President Calvin Coolidge wed Grace Goodhue.
1915 | Congress: Dinosaur National Monument was established.
1923 | Actor Charleston Heston was born.
1923 | Entrepreneur Charles Lazarus was born.
1928 | Author Alvin Toffler was born.
1925 | SCOTUS: Justice Earl Warren wed Nina Elisabeth Palmquist Meyers.
1931 | Comic strip Dick Tracy debuted.
1933 | Esquire magazine was first published.
1937 | Novelist Jackie Collins was born.
1941 | Novelist Anne Rice was born.
1942 | Aviator Karl Richter was born in Holly, Michigan.
1944 | Politician Al Smith died.
1946 | Actress Susan Sarandon was born.
1948 | Entrepreneur and politician Linda McMahon was born.
1949 | The U.N. Headquarters in New York City was dedicated.
1957 | TV: “Leave It To Beaver” debuted.
1957 | Entrepreneur Russell Simmons was born.
1965 | SCOTUS: Justice Abe Fortas was sworn in.
1965 | Civil Rights: The first U.S. Papal Visit.
1970 | Musician Janis Joplin died.
1974 | Poet Anne Sexton died.
1976 | Actress Alicia Silverstone was born.
1990 | TV: “Beverly Hills, 90210” debuted.
1989 | Actress Dakota Johnson was born.
1989 | Thoroughbred Secretariat died.
2022 | Musician Loretta Lynn died.
2023 | Congress: The first U.S. Congressional Speaker was ousted by a motion to vacate.