This Day In History

A baseball hero enlisted in the military for World War II, a former U.S. Vice President was indicted for treason, and the strongest earthquake ever recorded struck in Chile.

The first aviator successfully completed the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, the so-called "White Night Riots" erupted in San Francisco, and Johnny Carson hosted his final 'Tonight Show.'

The first publication discussing the AIDS virus was published, a famous battle of the Vietnam War was completed, and the first prisoners arrived at a notorious concentration camp during WWII.

A major piece of the United States stock system was established; a landmark decision was made by the U.S. Supreme Court; and the first state took action to legalize same-sex marriages.

The first Oscars in history were handed out, President Andrew Johnson was acquitted in his impeachment trial, and the Space Shuttle Endeavor made its final flight.

After more than eight years of fighting the Red Army begins its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gov. George Wallace was shot, and McDonald's opened it's first restaurant.

Israel took action in 1948 that would immediately trigger a war in the Middle East, several demonstrators were beaten in 1961 during a civil rights protest, and the U.S.'s first space station was launched in 1973.

A now-common household item was first trademarked in 1958, Johnny Carson made his final television appearance in 1994, and the U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846.

The first Transcontinental Railroad is completed in Utah, an assassination attempt is carried out against President George W. Bush, and Mother's Day was observed for the first time in the U.S.

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of nearly 9.0 struck in Peru, U.S. Congress officially opens impeachment proceedings against President Nixon over the Watergate Scandal, and a bank robbery triggered one of the largest police pursuits in California history.