Beginning Year:       Ending Year:      
1918
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
In the U.S. Congressional elections, Republicans win a majority of 43 seats.
Politics
T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937) is elected president of Czechoslovakia .
Politics
Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926), American socialist and presidential candidate, is sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating espionage and sedition laws (sentence is commuted in 1921).
Government
Iceland becomes sovereign state.
Government
Serbo-Croatian-Slovene Kingdom of Yugoslavia proclaimed.
Government
Stamps: U.S. Airmail stamps go on sale for 24 cents. The United States began airmail service on May 15, 1918. Special stamps were issued to indicate prepayment of mail carried on the first flights. The first route, flown by Army pilots in Army planes, linked Washington, DC and New York City via Philadelphia, PA. The rate was 24 cents an ounce. This rate included special delivery to the addressee.
War
World War I: Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) propounds Fourteen Points for world peace; Germany offensive on Western front; Czechoslovakia proclaimed independent republic; Allies sign armistice with Austria-Hungary on November 3; Allied conference at Versailles agrees on peace terms for Germany; Armistice signed between Allies and Germany.
War
Russian Revolution: Ex-Czar Nicholas II (1868-1918) and family executed.
War
World War I: mobilized forces: 63 million; casualties: approx. 8.5 million killed, 21 million wounded, 7.5 million prisoners and missing.
Science
Nobel Prize for Physics: Max Planck (1858-1947), German physicist, for introducing quantum theory.
Science
Herbert M. Evans (1882-1971) determines that human beings have 48 chromosomes.
Medicine
Epidemics: An influenza epidemic, traveling west from Europe, begins in the eastern U.S. and spreads to 46 states. Before it ends in 1919, about 500,000 people die in the U.S. Throughout the world, 20 million people die and one billion are ill.
Inventions
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) invents a hydrofoil boat that goes 60 mph during a test run.
Technology
The Mount Wilson telescope is completed near Pasadena, California.
Education
Higher Educaton: A second Moscow University is founded (first university founded 1755).
Education
Mississippi passes school attendance laws for children between the ages of six and seventeen.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Willa Cather (1873-1947) writes “My Antonia”.
Arts and Letters
Essay: H.L. Mencken (1880-1956): “In Defense of Women”.
Arts and Letters
Painting: Joan Miro (1893-1983) first exhibits his works.
Arts and Letters
The New York Philharmonic Society bans composition by living German composers.
Arts and Letters
Opera: Paris Opera, despite daily bombardment, opens with Gounod’s (1818-1893) “Faust”.
Arts and Letters
Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge (1864-1953) gives the first of her music festivals in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (Tanglewood).
Arts and Letters
Henry Adams (1851-1921) writes “The Education of Henry Adams,” which later wins the Pulitzer Prize.
Ideas
Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929), pioneer in the development of American sociology, publishes “Social Process.”
Ideas
Oswald Spengler (1880-1936) writes “Untergang des Abendlandes” (“Decline of the West”) (-1922).
Ideas
There is major controversy over the new psychology of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) and C.G. Jung (1875-1961).
Ford, Betty
Elizabeth Anne ("Betty") Bloomer, wife of Gerald Ford, is born in Chicago on April 8.
Economics
Railroad History: The first Diesel-electric locomotive to be built and sold commercially was Jay Street Connecting RR #4. G.E. slightly revised its standard steeple cab straight electric locomotive car body and installed a single GM50.
Economics
The Pittman Act is passed, permitting the government to sell silver to Britain as a wartime measure.
Discovery
Harlow Shapley (1885-1972), American astronomer, discovers the true dimensions of the Milky Way.
Discovery
Archaeologists Hall and Leonard Woolley (1880-1960) begin excavations in ancient sites in Babylonia (present-day Iraq).
Daily Life
Regular airmail established between New York City and Washington; first airmail postage.
Daily Life
Daylight saving time introduced in America.
Daily Life
Census: Total population in the U.S.: 103.5 million.
Daily Life
First Chicago-New York airmail delivered: flying time 10 hrs. 5 min.
Sports
Football: Knute Rockne (1888-1931) is named head football coach at the University of Notre Dame.
Sports
Boxing: Jack Dempsey (1895-1983), American heavy-weight boxing champion, knocks out Carl Morris in 14 seconds.
Sports
Women in Sports: Eleanora Sears (a great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson, born in 1881) takes up squash, after excelling at polo (which she rode astride, shocking conventions of the day), baseball, golf, field hockey, auto racing, swimming, tennis, yachting and speedboat racing. She accumulated 240 trophies during her athletic career. She demonstrated that women could play men's games and was a prime liberator of women in sports.
Popular Culture
Composer George Gershwin (1898-1937) writes the song “Swanee” for the Broadway show Sinbad.
Religion
United Lutheran Church established (U.S.).
Social Issues
Censorship: U.S. Post Office burns installments of James Joyce’s (1882-1941) “Ulysses,” published in the “Little Review”.
Reform
Women's Suffrage Movement: Women over 30 get the right to vote in Britain.
Reform
Birth Control Movement: New York v. Sanger; Margaret Sanger wins her suit in New York to allow doctors to advise their married patients about birth control for health purposes.
1919
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Law
Women's Suffrage Movement: The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote, is passed by Congress.
Politics
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) founds the political party, Fasci del Combattimento.
Politics
In Paris, the League of Nations comes into being. The Hague is selected for the International Court of Justice.
Politics
The Republican convention nominates Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) for the presidency with Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) as his running mate.
Politics
The Democratic convention nominates James M. Cox (1870-1957) for the presidency with Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) as his running mate.
Government
Women's Firsts: Lady Astor (1879-1964) becomes the first woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament in Britain.
Government
Capital Punishment: Austria abolishes the death penalty.
Government
President Woodrow Wilson presents his Fourteen Points for world peace to the American Congress; these Conditions of Peace are intended to guarantee future cooperation among the nations of the world and contain the foundations for a world organization called the League of Nations.
Government
League of Nations: The plenary session of the Peace Conference accepts the proposals for the creation of a League of Nations; the U.S. Senate, however, votes against joining the League.
War
World War I: The Treaty of Versailles is signed, officially ending World War I. Part 1, Articles 1 to 26 of this and other Peace Treaties contain the Covenant of the League of Nations.
Science
English scientist F.W. Aston (1877-1945) builds mass-spectrograph and establishes the phenomena of isotopy.
Science
Observation of the total eclipse of the sun bear out Albert Einstein’s (1879-1955) theory of relativity.
Science
Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945), “Father of American Rocketry” writes “A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes”.
Science
Rutherford (1871-1937) demonstrates that the atom is not the final building-block of the universe.
Science
First experiments with shortwave radio (under 100 meters).
Science
In collaboration with Massolle and Engl, Hans Vogt (1903-1986) experiments on a new sound film system.
Inventions
Glenn L. Martin (1886-1955) invents the Martin Bomber, a warplane.
Education
Higher Education: New universities are founded in Hamburg, Posen, Bratislava, and Cologne.
Education
Children's Books; Hugh Lofting (1886-1947): the first of the “Dr. Doolittle” stories.
Education
Higher Education: A.D. Juilliard ( -1919)dies leaving 20 million dollars to endow Juilliard School of Music.
Arts and Letters
The Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra gives its first concert.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) writes “Main Street”.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) writes “The Emperor Jones” and “Beyond the Horizon."
Arts and Letters
Poetry: Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) writes “Corn Huskers,” which wins the Pulitzer Prize.
Arts and Letters
Bauhaus, founded and built by Walter Gropius (1883-1969) in Weimar, Germany, revolutionizes the teaching of painting, sculpture, architecture, and industrial arts.
Arts and Letters
Jazz arrives in Europe.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) writes “Winesburg, Ohio,” a volume of interrelated short stories.
Ideas
Johan Huizinga (1872-1945) writes “The Waning of the Middle Ages.”
Ideas
C.G. Jung (1875-1961) writes “Psychological Types.”
Roosevelt, Edith
Former President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) dies in Oyster Bay, New York.
Hoover, Lou
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) is named Director-General of International Organization for European Relief.
Economics
Ford Motor Company: A conflict with stockholders over the millions to be spent building the giant Rouge manufacturing complex in Dearborn, Michigan leads to the company becoming wholly owned by Henry Ford and his son, Edsel, who then succeeds his father as president.
Economics
J.M. Keynes (1883-1946) writes “The Economic Consequence of the Peace.”
Economics
The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) is established.
Daily Life
Transportation: J.W. Alcock and A. Whitten Brown (1886-1948) make first nonstop flight across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland in 16 hours 27 minutes.
Daily Life
Railroad lines operated in America total 265,000 miles.
Daily Life
The American Legion is formed.
Sports
Boxing: Jack Dempsey (1895-1983), U.S. heavyweight boxer, takes the world championship from Jess Willard.
Sports
Baseball: Babe Ruth (1895-1948) hits a 587 ft. home run in a Boston Red Sox versus. New York Giants game in Tampa, Florida.
Sports
Jim Thorpe (1888-1953), the great American all around athlete, finishes his 6-year major league baseball career with the Boston Braves; plays in 60 game; hits .327.
Sports
Horse Racing: Sir Barton is first horse to win triple crown: Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes; J. Loftus jockey in all three.
Sports
The development of a mechanical rabbit by Oliver Smith (1893-1977), of California, marks origin of modern greyhound racing.
Sports
Baseball: Black Sox Scandal: Eight players on the Chicago White Sox conspire with gamblers to throw the World Series. They are acquitted in a court of law—but they are banned from baseball forever.
Religion
Karl Barth (1886-1968): “Der Romerbrief” (“The Epistle to the Romans”), beginning of Protestant dialectical theology.
Religion
Church and State separated in Germany.
Religion
Joan of Arc (1412-1431) canonized by Pope Benedict XV.
Reform
Labor Movement: Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), governor of Massachusetts, calls out the National Guard to end Boston Police Strike.
Reform
Labor Movement: The great American steel strike occurs, lasting until January 1920.
Reform
Labor Movement: An International Labor Conference in Washington endorses eight-hour workday.
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1920
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
A year after ratification, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages, goes into effect.
Law
The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Politics
The German Worker’s Party is renamed the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ or Nazi Party.
Politics
Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) is elected as the 29th President of the U.S., and Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) is elected as the nation's 29th Vice President.
Government
The Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles and the Covenant of the League of Nations for the second time.
Government
The League of Nations comes into existence with its headquarters in Geneva; the Versailles Peace Treaty and the Covenant of the League of Nations enter into force.
Government
The Water Power Act establishes the Federal Power Commission to regulate the generation of electricity from waterways on public lands and from navigational streams.
Government
The “Red Scare’ results in nationwide raids by federal agents, with mass arrests of “anarchists, Communists, and labor agitators.
Science
William D. Harkins (1873-1951) proposes the existence of an uncharged subatomic particle, which he calls the “neutron.”
Medicine
Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) pioneers new techniques in brain surgery.
Medicine
Insulin is isolated for the first time by Canadian Sir Frederick Banting (1891-1941) and Charles Best (1899-1978).
Inventions
Nobel Prize for Physics goes to Charles Guillaume (1861-1938), a Swiss physicist, for the invention of Invar, an alloy of iron containing nickel.
Arts and Letters
Literature: F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940), an important novelist of the period, publishes his first novel entitled "This Side of Paradise."
Arts and Letters
Literature: Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) publishes "Main Street," a novel that exposes the cultural vacuum of a small Midwestern town.
Ideas
In "Easy Lessons in Einstein," Edwin E. Slosson explains the theory of relativity in a simple and clear manner.
Economics
The Jones Act prohibits shipping merchandise between U.S. ports "in any other vessel than a vessel built in and documented under the laws of the United States and owned by persons who are citizens of the United States.''''
Economics
Ford Motor Company: The Detroit-Toledo-Ironton (DTI) railroad proves to be a smart purchase for the Ford Motor Company (FMC). After purchasing the railway, FMC uses it for the next 8 years to control transport of materials and supplies to the massive Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan.
Sports
Women in Sports: The skimpy fashions of the '20's put a new emphasis on athletic bodies and narrow the gap between health and glamour. Advertisers, like Grape-Nuts, say, "Grandmother went bathing - girls like Molly go in to swim."
Sports
Baseball: The Negro National League, the first financially successful all-black league, is founded by Hall-of-Famer Rube Foster.
Sports
Baseball: The Boston Red Sox sell Babe Ruth (1895-1948) to the New York Yankees.
Sports
William T. Tilden (1893-1953) wins Wimbledon Lawn Tennis; after this victory, he dominates world tennis until 1925.
Popular Culture
KDKA, America’s first commercial radio station, begins operation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by broadcasting the results of the presidential election.
Religion
Use of religion in Turkey for political ends is made punishable by death.
Reform
Women''s Suffrage Movement: Women get the right to vote when the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified. By this time, 15 states have women suffrage laws.
1921
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) nominates William Howard Taft (1857-1930) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the Senate confirms his appointment on the same day. Taft is the only person in history to have been both President and Chief Justice.
Law
League of Nations: The Permanent Court of International Justice comes into being.
Government
Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) is inaugurated as the 29th President of the U.S., and Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) is inaugurated as the nation's 29th Vice President.
Government
Immigration: Congress passes the Quota Act, which limits immigration in the United States.
Government
The Department of Agriculture enforces regulations of the Packers and Stockyards Act to stop manipulation of prices in meat-packing industries.
War
The joint resolution of Congress declares that World War I has ended. Separate U.S. treaties with Germany, Austria, and Hungary are signed and ratified.
Science
Langmuir (1881-1957) and Lewis (1875-1946) independently propose atomic theories.
Medicine
James B. Collip (1892-1965) isolates pure insulin.
Medicine
Edward Mellanby (1884 - 1955) discovers vitamin D and shows that its absence causes rickets.
Inventions
Physician Alvan L. Barach designs a vented oxygen tent.
Technology
John Couch Adams (1819-1892) uses a spectroscope to study and determine the distance of 2000 stars.
Arts and Letters
Poetry: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) publishes "Michael Robartes and the Dancer," a collection that includes his famous poem, Easter 1916.
Arts and Letters
Women’s Firsts: Literature: American novelist Edith Wharton(1862-1937) becomes the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction. She wins the award for her novel "The Age of Innocence."
Ideas
Ernst Kretschmer (1888-1964) publishes "Physique and Character," in which he suggests that body build is closely related to mental state.
Eisenhower, Mamie
Doud Dwight (Ikky) Eisenhower (1917-1921), son of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower dies January 2 from scarlet fever.
Reagan, Nancy
Anne Frances “Nancy” Robbins is born on July 6, 1921 at Sloane Hospital, Flushing, Queens, New York. She is the ninth of ten First Ladies born in New York, the “mother state” of presidential wives.
Economics
The end of the wartime boom causes business depression and high unemployment. The National Conference proposes a job program.
Economics
Unemployment throughout the U.S. is 5.7 million. Widespread wage cuts in many industries include those of New York Central railroad employees (by 22.5%) and clothing workers (by 15%).
Daily Life
Iowa imposes the first state tax on cigarettes.
Daily Life
Magazines: Publisher DeWitt Wallace (1889-1981) founds the Reader’s Digest.
Daily Life
Knee-length skirts for women become the fashion, causing much comment in the press.
Sports
Baseball: Station KDKA in Pittsburgh broadcasts radio’s first live major league game. (Fewer than 10 percent of Americans own a radio.)
Sports
Women in Sports: The National Women's Athletic Association is organized.
Social Issues
Immigration: California’s Supreme Court declares the state’s Alien Poll Tax unconstitutional and a violation of the treaty between the U.S. and Japan.
Social Issues
Hate Groups: The Ku Klux Klan promotes “white supremacy” and seeks to control politics in many southern communities.
Reform
Birth Control Movement: National Birth Control League and Voluntary Parenthood League are combined to form the American Birth Control League in New York City; Margaret Sanger heads the league.
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1922
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court declares that the Federal Child Labor Law is unconstitutional.
Politics
Women's Firsts: Soledad Chacon is elected Secretary State of New Mexico, the first woman elected to that position.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Rebecca Felton (1835 – 1930), of Georgia, is appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill a temporary vacancy. The first woman senator, she serves for only two days.
Government
League of Nations: The first meeting of the Permanent Court of International Justice occurs.
Government
U.S. and Japan sign Yap Treaty, permitting U.S. cable and radio stations in the Yap Islands.
Government
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) is arrested by the British in India for inciting his countrymen to violence in their fight for independence.
War
U.S. Open Doors Policy is implemented in China. Nine major powers also sign treaties limiting warships, restricting the use of submarines, and outlawing poisonous gas.
Science
Alfred C. Lane begins experiments to determine the age of the earth.
Medicine
Elmer McCollum (1879-1967) discovers vitamin D in cod liver oil. He uses the oil in the successful treatment of rickets.
Inventions
British watchmaker John Howard invents the self-winding watch.
Technology
Ship to shore radio communication begins.
Arts and Letters
Poetry: James Joyce (1882-1941) publishes "Ulysses."
Arts and Letters
Literature: F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) publishes "The Beautiful and the Damned."
Ideas
Herman Julius Oberth (1894-1989) writes "The Rocket into Interdisciplinary Space," in which the concept of escape velocity is introduced.
Eisenhower, Mamie
John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower (1922-), son of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, is born August 3.
Daily Life
Lt. Harold Harris becomes the first member of the Caterpillar Club by parachuting from a defective plane during a flight test in Dayton, Ohio. The club is made up of individuals who have escaped death by using a parachute.
Daily Life
Marriages in the U.S. total 1,126,000 and divorces total 148,000.
Sports
Golf: The oldest American international team golf match takes place between the U.S. and Great Britain. It is established at the National Golf Links of America, Southampton, NY.
Sports
Women in Sports: The National Amateur and Athletic Federation (NAAF) is founded, committed to boys and girls being on an "equal footing with the same standards, the same program and the same regulations."
Social Issues
Racism: Oklahoma is placed under marshal law to control violence and curb Ku Klux Klan activity.
Reform
Birth Control Movement: Dr. Marie Stopes (1880-1958) holds a series of meetings in Queen’s Hall, London to advocate birth control.
1923
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Intermediate Credits Act expands credit to farmers and encourages farm cooperatives in an effort to ease agricultural depression.
Government
Vice President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)becomes the nation's 30th President on the death of President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923). No new Vice President is selected.
War
Payment of British war debt to the U.S. begins.
War
U.S. troops on the Rhine River in Germany are ordered to return by President Haring (1865-1923).
Science
Louis A. Bauer analyzes the Earth’s magnetic field.
Medicine
Insulin becomes generally available to people with diabetes.
Medicine
Vaccines: First vaccine for Diphtheria is used.
Inventions
The bulldozer is invented.
Arts and Letters
Drummer Buddy Rich tours the U.S. and Australia as a child prodigy on the drums.
Ideas
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) publishes his theories on the human mind in "The Ego and the Id."
Harding, Florence
President Harding (1865-1923) dies suddenly in San Francisco on his return trip from Alaska. His father in Vermont swears in Coolidge (1872-1933) as President.
Economics
The DuPont Company acquires the rights to manufacture Cellophane; the first U.S. made Cellophane is produced in 1924.
Economics
In order to build a Model T automobile, Ford required approximately 250 feet of lumber for each car that it built. As a result, Henry Ford authorized the purchase of several hundred thousand acres of forestland in northern Michigan.
Discovery
Native Americans: Oil is discovered on the Navajo Reservation.
Daily Life
Magazines: Time Magazine hits the newsstands for the first time, at $.15 a copy.
Daily Life
Disasters: An earthquake in Japan destroys Yokohama and half of Tokyo; about 100,000 people die.
Sports
Finnish Paavo Nurmi runs the mile in 4 minutes and 10.4 seconds.
Sports
Women in Sports: 22% of U.S. colleges have varsity sports teams for women.
Popular Culture
Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959), film director and producer, releases the Biblical spectacle The Ten Commandments.
Popular Culture
"e Covered Wagon," voted as one of the 10 best movies of the year by Film Daily, sets the style and popularity for Westerns.
Social Issues
Racism: The African-American town of Rosewood, Florida is burned by a white mob.
Reform
Women''s Rights Movement: National Woman’s Party proposes Constitutional amendment stating that “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and in every place subject to its jurisdiction. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
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1924
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
The Progressive Party, backed by the American Federation of Labor, Farm-Labor Party and the Socialist Party, nominates senator La Follette of Wisconsin for President.
Politics
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) is elected President of the U.S. in his own right, and Charles Dawes (1865-1951) is elected the nation's 30th Vice President.
Government
Native Americans: Congress passes the Indian Citizenship Act, granting U.S. citizenship to Native Americans.
Government
Immigration: Immigration Act of 1924 establishes fixed quotas of national origin and eliminates Far East immigration.
Government
Greece is proclaimed a republic.
Government
The diplomatic and consular services of the U.S. government are consolidated.
War
The U.S. Marines land at Shanghai, China to help suppress the civil war.
Science
Scientist Harry Steenbock discovers that sunlight increases the amount of vitamin D in certain foods. After tests prove that it is the ultraviolet part of sunlight, which has this effect, Steenbock patents a process of using artificial ultraviolet light to increase the vitamin D content in food.
Medicine
The portable electrocardiograph is introduced. It uses vacuum tubes to amplify the weak electrical signals produced by the heart.
Technology
RCA demonstrates wireless telegraph transmission of photographs from New York City to London; the process takes about 25 minutes per photograph.
Education
Children's Books: A.A. Milne (1882-1956), English humorist, publishes When We Were Very Young, a collection of stories for his son, Christopher.
Arts and Letters
Paul Whiteman (1890-1967) commissions George Gershwin (1898-1937) to write the symphonic jazz-style “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Truman, Bess
(Mary) Margaret Truman Daniel (1924-), daughter of Harry and Bess Truman, is born February 17.
Coolidge, Grace
Calvin Coolidge Jr. (1908-1924), son of Calvin and Grace Coolidge, dies July 7.
Economics
Harry Cohn founds Columbia pictures.
Discovery
Hubble determines that Cepheid variables (stars) in the Andromeda nebula are hundreds of thousands of light years beyond the Milky Way. This is conclusive proof that there are other galaxies besides our own.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: The gas chamber is used for the first time as a method of execution in the United States when gangster Gee Jon is put to death in Nevada.
Daily Life
The publisher Simon and Schuster market the first crossword puzzle book.
Daily Life
There are 2.5 million radios in the U.S.; in 1920 there were only 5000, mostly used by professionals.
Sports
The first Winter Olympic games open at Chamonix, France.
Sports
Football: Notre Dame''s “Four Horseman” – Layden, Stuhldreher, Miller, and Crowley – star as Notre Dame upsets Army.
Sports
Black Athletes: Olympic gold medalist (summer games; individual): DeHart Hubbard (1903-1976) is the gold medalist for the long jump.
Social Issues
Immigration: The Johnson-Reed Act is passed, severely limiting immigration.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Radice v. New York, a New York state case, upholds a law that forbade waitresses from working the night shift but made an exception for entertainers and ladies' room attendants.
1925
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Nellie Taylor Ross (1876-1977) becomes the Governor of Wyoming, being the first woman to be elected as governor of a state.
Government
The Senate ratifies 20-year-old treaty, which recognizes the right of Cuba to the Isle of Pines.
Government
The U.S. and Canada agree to improve the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Lake Ontario.
Government
The boundary between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland) is established.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876-1997) becomes the first woman to serve as governor of a state, in Wyoming.
Government
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) is inaugurated as President of the U.S., and Charles Dawes (1865-1951) is inaugurated as the nation's 30th Vice President.
Science
Millikan (1868-1953) discovers that cosmic rays are absorbed (not produced) by the atmosphere.
Science
The meter is standardized.
Medicine
George H. Whipple (1878-1976) demonstrates that iron is a major factor in the formation of red blood cells.
Inventions
Berliner (1851-1929) invents acoustic tiles for soundproofing.
Inventions
Railroad History: The American Locomotive Company (ALCO), along with G.E. and IR, builds its first Diesel electric loco.
Education
Higher Education: Trinity College in North Carolina agrees to change its name to Duke University to meet the terms of a $40 million trust fund established by James B. Duke, a tobacco millionaire.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) publishes "In Our Time."
Arts and Letters
Literature: F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) publishes "The Great Gatsby."
Arts and Letters
Writer DuBose Heyward (1885-1940) publishes "Porgy," on which the musical "Porgy and Bess" is later based.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: Since Harvard was not supportive of the theatre movement on their campus, the efforts were relocated to Yale in 1925. As a result, Yale established the Drama School as a graduate program that was committed to providing American theatre with gifted artists of superior training.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Theodore Dreiser’s (1871-1945) first commercial success was "An American Tragedy" (1925), which was made into a film in 1931 and again in 1951.
Ideas
John Watson publishes "Behaviorism," a book that sparks popular interest in psychology.
Nixon, Pat
At the age of 13, “Pat” Ryan (Nixon) assumes the role of housewife for her family when her mother, Kate Halberstadt Bender Ryan, a native of Germany, dies of cancer.
Bush, Barbara
Barbara Pierce is born on June 8 in New York City. She is the tenth of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company acquires the Lincoln Motor Company, thus branching out into luxury cars.
Daily Life
Disasters: The most violent tornado is U.S. history, the “Tri-State Tornado,” hits Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois, killing 689 people and injuring 13,000 others.
Daily Life
Magazines: The New Yorker magazine is founded.
Popular Culture
Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946), blindfolded, plays 28 simultaneous games of chess.
Religion
A copy of the Bible costs the equivalent of about $2000 in the 14th century, $500 in 1455, $100 by the 17th century, and $3 in 1925.
Religion
Public Education: Tennessee teacher John T. Scopes is arrested for teaching the Theory of Evolution, which is forbidden by state law. This dispute known as the “Monkey Trial” attracts enormous attention; Scopes is convicted and fined $100.
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1926
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Third Parties: The Progressive Party wins seats in Congress in the fall election.
Government
The U.S. fails to join the Permanent Court of International Justice and Arbitration at The Hague.
Government
Senate ratifies World War debt funding agreements with European countries.
Government
Congress passes the Revenue Act which reduces income and inheritance taxes and abolishes many nuisance taxes.
Government
League of Nations: The first meeting of the Preparatory Disarmament Commission occurs in Geneva.
War
Congress establishes the Army Air Corps.
Science
German physicist, Max Born (1882-1970), formulates the mathematical basis of the quantum theory.
Medicine
George Minot (1885-1950), William Murphy (1892-1987), and George Whipple (1878-1976) use a diet rich in raw liver to cure patients who are suffering from pernicious anemia, a usually fatal disease. Later, Minot and Edwin Cohn prepare liver extract that remains the basic treatment for this disease until 1948.
Medicine
Vaccines: First vaccine for Pertussis is used.
Technology
The first liquid fuel rocket is successfully launched by Professor Robert Goddard at Auburn, Massachusetts; the rocket traveled 184 feet in 2.5 seconds.
Technology
The Radio Corporation of America, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the British General Post office hold the first successful transatlantic radiotelephone conversation between New York City and London.
Education
Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) founds Negro History Week, which later evolves into Black History Month.
Education
Children's Books: A.A. Milne (1882-1956) publishes "Winnie the Pooh," one of the most popular children’s books ever written.
Education
Libraries: Los Angeles Public Library is dedicated.
Arts and Letters
Literature: William Faulkner (1897-1962) publishes his first novel, "Soldier’s Pay."
Arts and Letters
Painting: Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) paints “Black Iris,” and abstract work in which the flowers assume human anatomical shapes.
Ideas
T.H. Morgan (1866-1945) publishes "Theory of the Gene."
Ideas
Edward L. Thorndike (1874-1949) publishes "Measurement of Intelligence."
Daily Life
Explorers Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957) and Floyd Bennett (1890-1928) fly over the North Pole.
Daily Life
Airmail service starts between New York City and Boston.
Sports
H. Bierkottes swims the English Channel in 12 hours and 4 minutes.
Sports
Women’s Firsts: American Gertrude Ederle (1906-2003) becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
Popular Culture
English filmmaker, Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980), known for his gripping thrillers, directs The Lodger.
Popular Culture
Writer Edna Ferber (1887-1968) publishes "Show Boat."
1927
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Civil Rights Movement: The Supreme Court rules that a Texas law forbidding Negroes from voting in Democratic primary elections is unconstitutional.
Politics
A Socialist uprising and a general strike occurs in Vienna, Austria, after acquittal of Nazis for political murder.
Government
League of Nations: The Spanish Government announces that it will continue to collaborate in the work of the League.
War
U.S. Marines land in Nicaragua to protect U.S. lives and property during civil war.
Science
Jan Hendrik Oort (1900-1992), Dutch astronomer, further clarifies Lindblad’s theory about the rotation of the Milky Way galaxy.
Science
Clinton Davisson (1881-1958) and Lester Germer (1896-1971) discover that electrons are diffracted when they pass through crystal. This discovery supports the wave theory of electric behavior.
Medicine
Frank A. Hartman isolates “cortin” from the adrenal glands and suggests that absence of this hormone may cause Addison’s disease.
Medicine
Vaccines: First vaccine for Tuberculosis is used.
Inventions
The History of Toys: A tough, durable kind of plastic, polystyrene, is invented. Although the first plastic, celluloid, was invented in the 1860s, polystyrene is the first type strong enough to really suit toy making.
Inventions
The pentode (a 5-element vacuum tube) is developed. It permits distortion free amplification of sound.
Technology
Ernst Alexanderson (1878-1975) receives the first American television broadcast at his home.
Education
Libraries: The Central library of the Free Library of Philadelphia is dedicated.
Ideas
Pavlov (1849-1936) publishes "Conditioned Reflexes," based on his experiments in which dogs, fed at the sound of a bell, salivated at the sound of the bell alone.
Ideas
Cosmologist Georges Lemaitre (1894-1966) proposes the Big Bang Theory to explain the origin of the universe.
Tyler, Julia
David Gardiner "Gardie" Tyler (1846-1927), the first son born to John Tyler and his second wife Julia, dies September 5.
Economics
The Federal Reserve reduces the discount rate by half a point and purchases $230 million of government securities.
Daily Life
Transatlantic commercial telephone service begins between New York City and London.
Daily Life
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964), then U.S. Secretary of Commerce, gives a speech in Washington, D.C. that is seen and heard in New York via the first long-distance television transmission.
Daily Life
Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) makes the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic in the Spirit of Saint Louis, from Long Island to Paris.
Daily Life
The Holland Tunnel, designed by Clifford M. Holland, opens to vehicular traffic. More than 1.5 miles long, the tunnel travels under the Hudson River and connects New York with New Jersey.
Sports
Baseball: Babe Ruth (1895-1948) sets home run record when he hits 60 for the season.
Sports
Boxing: The first Golden Gloves amateur boxing matches, sponsored by the New York Daily News, are held.
Sports
Women in Sports: The International Federation of Women's Field Hockey Associations (IFWHA) is formed to provide competition for teams from the US, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Popular Culture
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is founded.
Popular Culture
Bandleader and composer, Duke Ellington (1899-1974), organizes a band that begins a five-year stand at Harlem’s Cotton Club.
Religion
Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959) produces his second Biblical epic called "The King of Kings."
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1928
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) is elected the 31st President of the U.S., and Charles Curtis (1860-1936) is elected as the nation's 31st Vice President.
Government
McNary-Haugen Bill for relief of farmers is vetoed on the grounds that it would fix prices and stimulate overproduction.
Government
Flood Control Bill provides $325 million to curb flooding in the Mississippi River Valley.
Government
Prohibition: Congress appropriates $32 million to enforce Prohibition during the next year.
Government
Britain recognizes the Chinese National government at Nanking.
War
U.S. signs Briand-Kellogg Act Pact, outlawing war. Eventually, 63 nations sign it also.
Science
Karl Ziegler (1898-1973) explains the chemical procedure for making artificial rubber.
Medicine
Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) discovers penicillin, founding the field of antibiotic therapy.
Inventions
Railroad History: The first Diesel-electric passenger locomotive built in North America was a two-unit 2-D-1-1-D-2.
Technology
Mount Palomar Observatory installs a 200-inch reflecting telescope designed by George Hale (1868-1938).
Education
Libraries: The West Virginia Supreme Court rules that Charleston libraries cannot exclude black patrons since, as taxpayers, they are equally entitled to library service.
Ideas
John Von Neumann (1903-1957) develops as part of his theory games, the minimax theorem, a strategy for minimizing a player’s maximum loss.
Daily Life
The first seeing eye dog was presented to Morris S. Frank.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: The Mickey Mouse character is created by Walt Disney.
Popular Culture
The first annual Calaveras County “Frog Jumping Jubilee” is held in Angel’s Camp, CA.
Popular Culture
Jerome Kern (1885-1945) and Hammerstein (1895-1960) write the score for Show Boat, which includes the song “Ol’ Man River.”
1929
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
The National Revolutionary Party is organized in Mexico; it becomes the chief political party.
Government
The Lateran Treaty, in which Italy agrees to recognize the independence and sovereignty of Vatican City, is signed.
Government
Immigration: The National origins plan goes into effect. U.S. consuls are told to reject any immigrant who might become a “public charge.”
Government
The Agriculture Marketing Act establishes the Federal Farm Board to stabilize farm prices.
Government
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) is inaugurated as the 31st President of the U.S., and Charles Curtis (1860-1936) is inaugurated as the nation's 31st Vice President.
Science
Hubble measures the red shift and discovers that the galaxies are moving away from each other. This universal recession of galaxies indicates that the universe is expanding.
Science
Nobel Prize for Physics goes to Broglie (1892-1987) for his electron wave theory.
Medicine
Hans Berger (1873- 1941) discovers human electroencephalography.
Technology
Ernst Alaxanderson (1878-1975) measures the altitude of an airplane by using reflected radio waves. This is an early use of radar.
Technology
Kodak introduces 16mm movie film.
Technology
In the first instrument flight, Lt. James Doolittle (1896-1993) flies entirely by radio signals received in his airplane.
Education
Higher Education: University of Pennsylvania establishes a department of Medical Physics (biophysics).
Education
Libraries: Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932), a merchant and philanthropist, helps fund libraries in 13 southern states to be used in both urban and rural areas, regardless of race.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) publishes the novel "A Farewell to Arms."
Ideas
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) publishes “A Room of One’s Own.”
Ideas
Robert M. Yerkes (1876-1956), psychologist, publishes "The Great Apes" and establishes the Yale Laboratories of Primate Biology (Florida) to study animal behavior and intelligence.
Hoover, Lou
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) was the first president to have a telephone installed on his desk on March 27. White House phones came next.
Kennedy, Jackie
Jacqueline Bouvier is born on July 28, 2919 in Southhampton, New York. She is the eighth of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.
Economics
American Money: Currency is reduced in size by 25 percent and standardizes with uniform portraits on the faces and emblems and monuments on the backs.
Economics
President Hoover (1874-1964) meets with important businessmen at the White House in order to stabilize the nation’s business.
Economics
The stock market crash brings depression, with widespread unemployment and many business failures.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Gang members working for Al Capone (1899-1947) kill rival gang members in the St. Valentine’s Day massacre in Chicago.
Daily Life
The first reindeer are born in the United States, in North Beverly, MA.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: The yo-yo is popularized in the United States.
Sports
Women in Sports: Tuskegee Institute in Alabama forms one of the first women's college track teams, offering scholarships to promising women athletes, and adding women's event to their Tuskegee relays track meets.
Popular Culture
The first Academy Awards are bestowed; the statues that served as symbols of the award are not called Oscars until 1931.
Popular Culture
The first all-color talking picture, "On With the Show," opens.
Popular Culture
“Amos ‘n’ Andy,” a popular radio show heard each weekday through the 1930’s, makes its national premier.
Religion
Presbyterian churches in Scotland unite to form the Church of Scotland.
Social Issues
Immigration: Congress makes annual immigration quotas permanent.
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1930
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: President Herbert Hoover nominates Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; he is confirmed by the Senate ten days later and serves in the position for eleven years.
Law
The Supreme Court rules that buying bootleg liquor is not a violation of the 18th amendment.
Politics
In the German elections, Nazis gain 107 seats from the center parties.
Government
The Passfield White Paper on Palistine suggests that Jewish immigration be halted.
Government
The names of the cities of Constantinople and Angora in Turkey change to Istanbul and Ankara.
Government
Ras Tafari (1892-1975) becomes Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia.
Government
League of Nations: First session of the Commission of Enquiry for European Union.
War
France begins building the Maginot Line.
War
Last Allied troops leave Rhineland.
War
The War Department amends Army regulations to make any violation of the federal prohibition law a military offense.
Medicine
Nobel Prize for Medicine awarded to Karl Landsteiner (1868-1943) (U.S.) for the grouping of human blood.
Inventions
Vannevar Bush, electrical engineer, develops a differential analyzer, the first analog computer.
Inventions
Quartz-crystal clocks are introduced.
Technology
Bell Laboratories develops a two-way television communication system.
Technology
The photoflash bulb comes into use.
Education
Public Education: Civil Rights Movement: The NAACP brings a series of suits over unequal teachers' pay for Blacks and whites in southern states. At the same time, southern states realize they are losing African American labor to the northern cities. These two sources of pressure resulted in some increase of spending on Black schools in the South.
Education
Civil Rights Movment: Brown v. Board: The NAACP began to challenge segregation in graduate and secondary schools in the mid-1930s. Early successes in the Supreme Court barred law schools from denying applicants on the basis of race alone.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Group Theatre is formed by the Theatre Guild for the purpose of producing social protest works. Members were generally committed to largely communal projects.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Maxwell Anderson (1888-1959)writes “Elizabeth the Queen."
Arts and Letters
Drama: Noel Coward (1899-1973) writes “Private Lives."
Ideas
Technocracy, the absolute domination of technology, becomes talked-of phenomenon.
Ideas
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)writes “About Zionism.”
Ideas
Compton suggests that cosmic rays are made of particles.
Ideas
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)publishes “Civilization and Its Discontent."
Taft, Helen
William Howard Taft (1857-1930), 27th President of the United States dies; he is the first U.S. president to be buried in the National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
Economics
New York City’s Bank of the United States closes because of the stock market crash. The bank has 60 branches and almost half a million depositors. During this year more than 1300 banks are forced to close.
Economics
Ford creates the Mercury division to establish a division centered on mid-priced cars. Ford Motor Company continues to grow.
Discovery
Pluto, the ninth planet in the solar system, is discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh (1906-1997).
Daily Life
Prepackaged frozen food is sold for the first time by Clarence Birdseye (1886-1956) in Springfield, MA.
Daily Life
Contract bridge gains in popularity as a card game.
Daily Life
Comic strips grow in popularity in the U.S. (“Blondie” series).
Popular Culture
Bestseller “Cimarron,” is written by Edna Ferber (1885-1968).
Popular Culture
Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) writes “The Maltese Falcon."
Popular Culture
The films “Blue Angel,” (Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992))and “All Quiet on the Western Front,” both win Academy Awards (Milestone).
1931
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
German millionaire Alfred Hugenberg (1865-1951) undertakes to support the 800,000-strong Nazi Party; Emil Kirdorf (1847-1938), Fritz Thyssen (1873-1951), and Schroder (1841-1902) follow his example.
Government
League of Nations: The Council decides to convene the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments.
Government
League of Nations: European Conference for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs.
Science
Swiss chemist Paul Karrer (1889-1971) isolates vitamin A.
Science
American physicist E.O. Lawrence (1901-1958) invents the cyclotron.
Inventions
Julius A. Nieuwland (1878-1936) devises a process for producing neoprene, a synthetic rubber.
Technology
The Empire State Building opens.
Technology
The George Washington Bridge, extending from New Jersey to New York, is completed.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) writes “The Good Earth."
Arts and Letters
Poetry: Robert Frost (1874-1963) publishes his “Collected Poems,” which wins the Pulitzer Prize.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) writes “Morning Becomes Electra.”
Ideas
John Dewey (1859-1952 ) publishes “Philosophy and Civilization.”
Discovery
Australian explorer G.H. Wilkins (1888-1958) captains “Nautilus” submarine, navigating it under the Arctic Ocean to latitude 82 degrees, 15 minutes.
Daily Life
The U.S. officially adopts “The Star-Spangled Banner” as its national anthem on March 3.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Alphonse (“Scarface”) Capone (1899-1947), gangster with reputed $20 million annual income, is jailed for income tax evasion.
Daily Life
Population (in millions): China 410, India 338, U.S.S.R. 168, U.S. 122, Japan 75, Germany 64, Great Britain 46.
Daily Life
Women’s Firsts: Maxine Dunlap becomes first American woman to earn a glider pilot license.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Alfred M. Butts, an unemployed architect from Poughkeepsie, New York, invents a word game called the Criss Cross Game. In 1948, Butts sells rights to the game to entrepreneur James Brunot who trademarks the game under the name Scrabble.
Sports
The northern face of the Matterhorn is climbed for the first time by Franz and Toni Schmid.
Sports
Women in Sports: Women begin competing in skiing events at the world championships sponsored by the International Ski Federation.
Popular Culture
Popular songs of the year include “Minnie the Moocher”; “Mood Indigo”; Goodnight Sweetheart”; and “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain.”
Popular Culture
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) stars in the film, “City Lights."
Popular Culture
Walt Disney (1901-1996) produces his first color film, "Flowers and Trees."
Popular Culture
The musical comedy, "Of Thee I Sing," composed and written by George Gershwin (1898-1937), Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) George S. Kaufman (1889-1961), and Morrie Ryskind (1895-1985), becomes the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.
Religion
Jehovah’s Witnesses formed from International Bible Students Association.
Religion
Pope Pius XI (1857-1939): “Quadrigesimo Anno," encyclical noting dangers of unrestrained capitalism and totalitarian communism, and calling for a new social order.
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1932
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, setting January 20 as the day the President is inaugurated, is passed by Congress.
Politics
Women's Firsts: Hattie W. Caraway (1878-1932), a democrat from Arkansas, becomes the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
Politics
Running on the idea of a "New Deal" for the American people, Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is elected as the 32nd President of the U.S. in a Democratic landslide; John Garner (1868-1967) is elected as the nation's 32nd Vice President.
Government
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is created to conserve area resources.
Government
League of Nations: A two-year Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments opens in Geneva; Germany withdraws from the Conference.
Government
Congress changes the name "Porto Rico" to "Puerto Rico".
Government
Women’s Firsts: Hattie Wyatt Caraway (1878-1950), of Arkansas, becomes the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
Government
The Revenue Act of 1932 is passed; it is the largest peacetime tax increase in the nation''s history to that date.
Science
W.H. Carothers (U.S.) (1896-1937) synthesizes polyamide (nylon by 1936).
Science
James Chadwick (1891-1974) discovers the neutron.
Science
Nobel Prize for Physics: Werner Heisenberg (Germany) for the creation of the matrix theory of quantum mechanics.
Science
Fritz Mietzch (1896-1958) and Josef Klarer (1898-1953): sulfonamide.
Inventions
Sperry Gyroscope Co. develops an automatic pilot.
Technology
A balloon tire is produced for farm tractors.
Technology
RCA demonstrates electric TV using a cathode-ray picture tube receiver.
Education
Libraries: The Folger Library opens in Washington.
Education
Higher Education: Bennington College opens in Vermont.
Education
Basic English is proposed as a prospective international language.
Education
Libraries: Howard University School of Divinity Library is founded.
Education
Public Education: A survey of 150 school districts reveals that three quarters of them are using so-called intelligence testing to place students in different academic tracks.
Economics
In May and June, 17,000 ex-servicemen arrive in Washington D.C., to urge the passage of a law that will permit them to cash their bonus certificates; this bill is defeated by the Senate; government offers expenses for return home, but troops led by General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) finally drive out last 2,000.
Economics
13.7 million people are unemployed in the United States.
Economics
The first unemployment insurance law is enacted in Wisconsin.
Daily Life
Crime and punishment: The infant son of Charles (1902-1974) and Anne Lindbergh (1906-2001) is kidnapped.
Daily Life
Women''s Firsts: Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) becomes the first woman to complete a solo nonstop transatlantic flight, from Newfoundland to Ireland in about 15 hours.
Daily Life
Women''s Firsts: Amelia Earhart, 34, becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in a red Lockheed Vega in 15 hours and 39 minutes.
Sports
Black Athletes: Louise Stokes (1905-1974) and Tydia Pickett are the first African-American women to be included on a U.S. Olympic team.
Sports
The first Winter Olympic Games held in the U.S., opens at Lake Placid, N.Y.
Sports
The Summer Olympic Games at Los Angeles include 23 sports, 124 events, and 1,408 participants from 37 nations.
Popular Culture
Johnny Weissmuller (1904-1984) appears in his first “Tarzan” film; Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) writes “The Thin Man;" and Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) writes “Brave New World.”
Reform
Women''s Rights Movement: The National Recovery Act forbids more than one family member from holding a government job, resulting in many women losing their jobs.
1933
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution, setting January 20 as the day the President is inaugurated, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Law
Prohibition: The Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution, repealing prohibition, is passed by Congress, ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Government
U.S. Congress votes independence for Philippines.
Government
The Federal Securities Act requires sworn statements about all securities for sale to be filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Government
League of Nations: Both Germany and Japan give notice of withdrawal from the League of Nations.
Government
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is inaugurated as the 32nd President of the U.S., and John Garner (1868-1967) is inaugurated as the nation's 32nd Vice President.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Frances Perkins (1882-1965) is appointed secretary of labor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), making her the first woman member of a presidential cabinet.
Government
Adolph Hitler (1889-1945) is named Chancellor of Germany.
Science
Tadeusz Reichstein (1897-1996) synthesizes pure vitamin C.
Science
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) recognized by R. Kuhn, Szent-Gyorgyi, and Wagner von Jauregg.
Medicine
Manfred Sakel (1900-1957) discovers insulin shock therapy.
Technology
Edwin H. Armstrong (1890-1954) develops frequency modulation (FM) radio broadcasting.
Technology
Philo T. Farnsworth (1906-1971) develops an electronic TV receiver.
Arts and Letters
“Ulysses,” by James Joyce (1882-1941), is allowed in the U.S. after court ruling.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Erskine Caldwell (1903-1987)writes “God’s Little Acre.”
Arts and Letters
George Balanchine (1904-1983) and Lincoln Kirstein (1907-1996) found the School of American Ballet.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) writes “The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.”
Ideas
C.G. Jung (1875-1961) writes “Modern Man in Search of Soul.”
Economics
American banks are closed March 6 - March 9 by presidential order.
Economics
The U.S. goes off gold standard on April 19.
Economics
Unlike his father, Edsel Ford was more interested in vehicle design than mechanics. He helped bring the company''s products to new heights of elegance and style by creating the company’s first dedicated, in-house design (or “styling”) department. The department’s creations become some of the most influential automotive designs in the industry.
Discovery
The theory that Neanderthal Man is in the line of decent of homo sapiens is rejected following the discovery of the Steinheim skull.
Discovery
R.E. Byrd, begins his second South Pole expedition.
Daily Life
The board game Monopoly is invented.
Daily Life
All books by non-Nazi and Jewish authors are burned in Germany.
Daily Life
Chicago World’s Fair (A Century of Progress International Exposition) opens.
Daily Life
President Roosevelt delivers the first radio “fireside chat” to restore the public’s confidence in the American currency and banking system.
Sports
Baseball: The first baseball all-star game is played.
Sports
Boxing: Italian Primo Carnera (1906-1967) knocks out Jack Sharkey (1902-1994) to win heavyweight-boxing crown.
Popular Culture
Some popular films of the year are “Little Women,” starring Katherine Hepburn (1907-2003), and “She Done Him Wrong,” starring Mae West (1892-1980).
Popular Culture
Some popular songs are “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”; “StormyWeather”; “Easter Parade”; “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?”; and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”
Social Issues
Holocaust: The Germans at Dachau open the first concentration camp; by 1945 8 to 10 million prisoners have been interned and at least half of them killed. Boycott of Jews begins in Germany.
Social Issues
Immigration: Approximately 60,000 artists (authors, actors, painters, and musicians) emigrate from Germany.
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1934
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Congress passes the Gold Reserve Act, empowering the President to regulate the value of the U.S. dollar.
Government
President Roosevelt signs Securities Exchange Act, establishing Securities and Exchange Commission. The first chairman of the SEC is Joseph Kennedy.
Government
League of Nations: Meeting of the General Commission of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments.
Science
Adolph Butenandt (1903-1995) isolates the first crystalline male hormone, androsterone.
Science
Enrico Fermi (1901-1954 ) suggests that neutrons and protons are the same fundamental particles in two different quantum states.
Technology
Osoviakhim, U.S.S.R. balloon, ascends 13 miles into stratosphere.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Robert Graves (1895-1985) writes “I, Claudius” and “Claudius the God.”
Arts and Letters
Painting: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) paints “William Tell,” in surrealistic style.
Arts and Letters
Drama: William Saroyan (1908-1981) writes “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze.”
Ideas
Arnold Toynbee (1889-1975) writes “A Study of History.”
Ideas
Ruth Benedict (1887-1948) publishes “Patterns of Culture.
Economics
Women’s Firsts: Lettie Pate Whitehead (1872-1953) becomes the first American woman to serve as a director of a major corporation, The Coca-Cola Company.
Discovery
Women’s Firsts: On October 23, 1934, American adventurer Jeanette Piccard (1895 – 1985) sets an altitude record for female balloonists when she ascends 57,579 feet.
Daily Life
Transportation: The S.S. “Normandie” (France) launched; the largest ship afloat until “Queen Elizabeth.”
Daily Life
The Dionne quintuplets are born in Callendar, Ontario.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: The F.B.I. shoots John Dillinger (1903-1934), “Public Enemy No. 1.”
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: The infamous pair of Bonnie (Parker) (1910-1934) and Clyde (Barrow) (1909-1934), die in a police shootout.
Sports
Golf: The first Masters golf tournament at Augusta National in Georgia is won by Horton Smith (1908-1963).
Sports
Boxing: Max Baer (1909-1959) wins world heavyweight boxing title.
Sports
Boxing: Joe Louis (1914-1981) wins his first fight against Jack Kracken (Chicago).
Popular Culture
Shirley Temple (1928- ) stars in her first film, Stand Up and Cheer.
Social Issues
Poverty: Evangeline Booth (1865-1950), daughter of the Salvation Army’s founder, elected General of the Salvation Army.
1935
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Huey Long (1893-1935) is assassinated by Dr. Carl Weiss in Louisiana Capitol Building.
Government
President Roosevelt (1882-1945) signs U.S. Social Security Act.
Government
Chiang Kai-shek is named President of China.
Government
T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937) resigns as President of Czechoslovakiaand is succeeded by Eduard Benes (1884-1948).
Government
Persia changes its name to Iran.
Government
The Social Security Act establishes a federal payroll tax to finance a cooperative federal-state system of unemployment insurance.
Government
League of Nations: The American Senate refuses to ratify the accession of the United States to the Permanent Court of International justice.
War
World War II: The Saarland is incorporated into Germany following a plebiscite; Nazis repudiate Versailles Treaty and reintroduce compulsory military.
Medicine
Ladislas J. Meduna (1896-1964)discovers metrazol shock therapy.
Medicine
German chemist Gerhard Domagk (1895-1964) announces the discovery of Prontosil, the first sulfa drug for treating streptococcal infections.
Technology
RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt (1892-1973).
Technology
The first round-the-world telephone conversation covers more than 23,000 miles. It is routed from New York to San Francisco, Indonesia, Holland, England, and back to NY-to an office less than 50 feet from the phone where the call originated.
Technology
Railroad History: EMC builds #511 and #512, the first self-contained Diesel passenger locomotives in the US.
Education
Libraries: The Works Progress Administration library service program gives support in labor and funds to all types of libraries.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Federal Theatre Project is established by Works Progress Administration (WPA) under the leadership of Hallie Flanagan (1890-1969). It lasted 4 years and employed over 30,000 theatrical artists and workers. Eventually Congress challenged the content of the productions as being subversive propaganda and dangerous.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Clarence Day (1874-1935) writes “Life with Father.”
Arts and Letters
Drama: T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) writes “Murder in the Cathedral.”
Arts and Letters
Literature: Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) writes “It Can’t Happen Here.”
Arts and Letters
Literature: John Steinbeck (1902-1968) writes “Tortilla Flat.”
Economics
Electrification: The first generator at Hoover Dam along the Nevada-Arizona border begins commercial operation.
Daily Life
Transportation: The S.S. “Normandie” crosses the Atlantic in 107 hours and 33 minutes.
Daily Life
Dancing: The rumba becomes a fashionable dance.
Daily Life
Alcoholics Anonymous is organized in New York.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Bruno R. Hauptmann (1899-1936) goes on trial for the kidnap and murder of the Lindburgh baby.
Daily Life
Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) becomes the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.
Sports
Baseball: The Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies play the first major league night baseball game at Crosley Field I Cincinnati.
Reform
Labor Movement: The Committee for Industrial Organizations is founded by the leaders of eight unions in the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Its goal is to develop industry-wide unions that include clerical and unskilled workers, as well as skilled-workers who are eligible for the AFL.
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1936
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of TVA in Ashwander v. Tennessee Valley Authority.
Politics
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) is reelected President of the U.S. by a landslide, as is John Garner (1868-1967) as Vice President.
Government
League of Nations: The Secretariat moves into the new League of Nations buildings, Geneva.
War
The U.S. Army adopts the semi-automatic rifle.
War
World War II: German troops occupy Rhineland; elections in Germany give Hitler (1889-1945) 99% of the vote; Four-Year Plan inaugurated.
War
Spanish Civil War begins in July; Franco appointed Chief of State by the insurgents in October; siege of Madrid begins; Spanish government moves to Valencia.
War
World War II: Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) declares war on Japan.
Medicine
Dr. Alexis Carrel (1873-1944) develops an artificial heart.
Medicine
Egas Moniz (1874-1955) discovers prefrontal lobotomy for treating mental diseases.
Technology
The dirigible “Hindenburg” lands at Lakehurst, N.J., after transatlantic flight.
Technology
Mrs. Amy (Johnson) Mollison (1903-1941) flies from England to Cape Town in 3 days, 6 hours, and 25 minutes.
Technology
Boulder (Hoover) Dam on Colorado River in Nevada and Arizona is completed; this creates Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the world.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Beatrice Kaufman and Moss Hart collaborate on the play, “You Can’t Take it With You.”
Economics
The Ford Foundation is established.
Daily Life
Magazines: Henry Luce (1898-1967) begins publication of “Life” magazine.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Bruno Richard Hauptman (1899-1936) is convicted of kidnapping and killing the Lindbergh baby.
Daily Life
Disasters: Floods sweep Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Parker Brothers introduce Monopoly.
Sports
Baseball: Ty Cobb (1886-1961), Babe Ruth (1895-1948), Honus Wagner (1874-1955), Christy Mathewson (1880-1925) and Walter Johnson (1887-1946) are the first players elected to the newly founded Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Sports
Boxing: Max Schmeling (1905-2005) (German) defeats Joe Louis (1914-1981) (U.S.) to win world heavyweight boxing championship.
Popular Culture
Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) writes “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
Popular Culture
Walter D. Edmunds (1903-1998) writes “Drums Along the Mohawk.”
Popular Culture
Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949) writes “Gone with the Wind,” a Pulitzer Prize Novel.
1937
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Women's Rights Movement: The U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of a minimum wage law for women.
Government
President Roosevelt (1882-1945) signs U.S. Neutrality Act.
Government
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) is inaugurated President of the U.S., as is John Garner as Vice President.
War
World War II: Riots in Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia; Sudetan Germans leave Czech Parliament.
War
Spanish Civil War: The German Luftwaffe (air force) destroys the Spanish town of Guernica.
Medicine
The nation’s first blood bank is established at Cook County Hospital in Chicago.
Medicine
Crystalline vitamin A and vitamin K concentrates are first obtained.
Medicine
The National Cancer institute is established.
Inventions
Wallace H. Carothers (1896-1937) patents Nylon for the Du Pont Company.
Inventions
The first jet engine is built by Frank Whittle (1907-1996).
Technology
George VI (1895-1952) is crowned King of Great Britain; the broadcast of ceremonies is first worldwide program heard in the U.S.
Technology
The Lincoln Tunnel provides a second major vehicular tunnel between New York and New Jersey.
Technology
San Francisco’s Gold Gate Bridge opens; the main section is 4200 ft. long; it is the longest bridge up to this time.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Ernest Hemmingway (1899-1961) writes “To Have and to Have Not.”
Arts and Letters
Literature: John P. Marquand (1893-1960) writes “The Late George Apley,” which wins a Pulitzer Prize.
Arts and Letters
Painting: Picasso (1881-1973) paints “Guernica,” a mural for the Paris World Exhibition.
Arts and Letters
Paul Mellon (1907-1999) endows the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Economics
Wall Street stock market decline signals serious economic recession in the U.S.
Daily Life
In Connecticut, automobile license places are issued for the first time.
Daily Life
Disasters: The German airship Hindenberg bursts into flames as it is trying to land at Lakehurst, NJ. News of its occurrence is described in the first transcontinental radio broadcast.
Daily Life
Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) is lost on a Pacific flight.
Sports
Boxing: Joe Louis (1914-1981) regains world heavyweight boxing title by defeating James J. Braddock (1905-1974).
Sports
U.S. Tennis Team wins Davis Cup Tournament in England.
Sports
Women in Sports: The US becomes the first country to win the men's (Swaythling Cup) and women's (Marcel Corbillon Cup) team table tennis championships in the same year.
Popular Culture
John Steinbeck (1902-1968) writes “Of Mice and Men.”
Popular Culture
Walt Disney (1901-1996) produces “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
Social Issues
Poverty: Public Housing: One of the first public housing projects in New York City, the Harlem River Houses, is built. They were 4 and 5-story walk-ups that were connected.
Reform
Women''s Rights Movement: Minimum wage law for women is upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Reform
Labor Movement: A major strike against Republic Steel takes place: 4 killed and 84 injured in Chicago.
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1938
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Civil Rights Movement: The Supreme Court rules that the University of Missouri Law School must admit Negroes because of a lack of other facilities in the area.
Government
Martin Dies (1900-1972) (Texas Democrat), becomes chairman of the newly formed House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) of U.S. House of Representatives.
War
World War II: Hitler (1889-1945) appoints himself War Minister, Ribbentrop Foreign Minister; meets Schuschnigg at Berchtesgaden and marches into Austria; Mussolini (1883-1945) and Hitler meet in Rome; programs in Germany.
War
World War II: Eden resigns in protest against Chamberlain’s (1869-1940) policy; Winston Churchill (1874-1965) leads country’s outcry; Duff Cooper (1890-1954) resigns as First Lord of the Admiralty; President Benes (1884-1948) resigns; Slovakia and Ruthenia granted autonomy; Hungary annexes southern Slovakia; Emil Hacha (1872-1945) installed as puppet President of Czechoslovakia.
Science
Karter, Salomon, and Fritzsche chemically identify vitamin E.
Science
Isolation of pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
Medicine
Robert E. Gross, physician, surgically repairs a congenital heart defect.
Medicine
Ugo Cerletti (1877- 1963) and Lucio Bini (1908-1964) discover electroconvulsive therapy.
Education
The Cloisters, endowed by Rockefeller (1839-1937), is built in upper Manhattan as a branch of the Metropolitan Museum to house medieval art.
Education
Higher Education: Education of Women: African American Education: Harvard University grants and honorary doctorate to Negro singer Marian Anderson (1897-1993).
Education
Civil Rights Movement: Higher Education: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the University of Missouri Law School must admit Negroes because of a lack of other facilities in the area.
Arts and Letters
Drama: "Our Town," by Thornton Wilder (1897-1975), is performed publicly for the first time in Princeton, NJ.
Arts and Letters
Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) writes “Rebecca.”
Arts and Letters
Drama: Robert Sherwood (1896-1955): “Abe Lincoln in Illinois."
Arts and Letters
Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) builds Taliesin West in Phoenix, Arizona.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896-1953) writes “The Yearling,” a Pulitzer Prize novel.
Ideas
Johan Huizinga (1872-1945) writes “Homo Ludens.”
Ideas
Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) writes “Modes of Thought.”
Economics
Dupont markets the first nylon product-a toothbrush.
Economics
The Fair Labor Standards Act passed, enacting first national minimum wage law.
Daily Life
The 40 hour work week is established in the United States.
Daily Life
20,000 TV sets are in service in New York City.
Daily Life
The S.S. “Queen Elizabeth” is launched.
Daily Life
32,000 people die in auto accidents in the U.S.
Sports
Horse Racing: Eddie Arcado rides his first Kentucky Derby winner, “Lawrin.”
Popular Culture
The New Orleans jazz classic, "When the Saints Go Marching In," is recorded by Louis Armstrong (1901-1971).
Popular Culture
The popular radio quiz show Information Please is broadcast by NBC.
Popular Culture
Orson Welles’s (1915- 1985) radio production of H.G. Well’s (1866-1946) “War of the Worlds” causes considerable panic.
Popular Culture
Benny Goodman’s (1909-1986) band brings new style to jazz music.
Popular Culture
Kurt Weill (1900-1950): “Knickerbocker Holiday,” musical comedy, New York.
Social Issues
Anti-semitism: Anti-Jewish legislation enacted in July.
Reform
Labor Movement: Women''s Rights Movement: The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes minimum wage without regard to sex.
1939
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
President Roosevelt appoints the first Jewish Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965); at the same time, he appoints William O. Douglas (1898-1980), who hold the record for longest service on the Court -- 36 years, 7 months.
War
The Spanish Civil War ends.Rooseveltasks Congress for $552 million for defense and demands assurance from Hitler and Mussolini that they will not attack 31 named states.
War
World War II: Germany occupies Bohemia and Moravia, places Slovakia under “protection,” annexes Memel, renounces nonaggression pact with Poland and naval agreement with England, and concludes both the 10-year alliance with Italy and the nonaggression pact with U.S.S.R.
War
World War II: Japanese occupy Hainan and blockade British concession at Tientsin; U.S. renounces Japanese trade agreement of 1911.
War
World War II: Britain and France recognize Franco’s government; U.S. recognition follows; Spanish Civil War ends; Spain joins Anti-Comintern Pact and leaves League of Nations.
War
World War II: Germany invades Poland and annexes Danzig on September 1; Britain and France declare war on Germany on September 3; Roosevelt declares that the U.S. is neutral; Germans overrun western Poland and reach Brest-Litovsk and Warsaw; U.S.S.R. invades Poland from the east; the British Expeditionary Force (158,000 men) are sent to France.
Science
Joliot-Curie demonstrates the possibility of splitting apart the atom.
Science
Polyethylene is invented.
Science
Nobel Prize for Physics awarded to Ernest O. Lawrence (U.S.) for the development of cyclotron.
Technology
Igor Sikorsky (1889-1972) constructs the first helicopter.
Technology
Radar stations are used in Britain to give early warning of approaching enemy aircrafts.
Arts and Letters
“Grandma Moses” (Anna M. Robertson) becomes famous in the U.S.
Arts and Letters
Dance: Aaron Copland’s “Billy the Kid” ballet opens in New York.
Arts and Letters
Literature: C.S. Forester writes “Captain Horatio Hornblower.”
Arts and Letters
Literature: James Joyce writes “Finnegan’s Wake.”
Arts and Letters
Literature: Richard Llewellyn writes “How Green was My Valley.”
Arts and Letters
Literature: John Steinbeck writes “The Grapes of Wrath.”
Arts and Letters
Drama: George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart write “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
Ideas
John Dewey (1859-1952) publishes “Freedom and Culture.”
Ideas
Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” is made available in a complete English translation.
Economics
After the 1938 recession, the U.S. economy begins to recover and, by autumn, is booming from orders of European countries for arms and war equipment.
Daily Life
Transportation: Pan-American Airways begins regularly scheduled commercial flights between the U.S. and Europe on the “Dixie Clipper.”
Daily Life
Fashion: Nylon stockings appear for the first time.
Daily Life
Holidays: President Roosevelt moves the national Thanksgiving Celebration to the third Thursday of November in order to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy.
Sports
Baseball: The first televised major league game is broadcast from Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.
Sports
Baseball: Little League Baseball is founded.
Sports
Baseball: Baseball great Lou Gehrig sets of major-league record when he plays his 2,130th game.A baseball game is first televised in the U.S.
Popular Culture
The first public television broadcast is made from the Empire State Building.
Popular Culture
War songs in England are “Roll out the Barrel’ and “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”
Popular Culture
Popular Films include “Gone With the Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz” (Judy Garland), and “Stagecoach” (John Ford).
Popular Culture
Popular Songs in America are “God Bless America”, “Over the Rainbow”, and “I’ll Never Smile Again.”
Religion
Pope Pius XI dies; Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli is elected to be Pope Pius XII (-1958).
Religion
The Methodist Church, rent by schisms of 1830 and 1844, is reunited.
Reform
Labor Movement: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that sit-down strikes are illegal.
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1940
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is re-elected to a third term as President of the U.S., and Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) is elected as the nation's 33rd Vice President.
Government
Stamps: Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) is the first African-American honored on a stamp.
Government
Immigration: The Smith Act (Alien Registration Act) requires the registration of all aliens and makes it illegal to advocate the overthrow of the U.S. government by force.
Government
Conservation: Congress establishes the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop and administer a wildlife conservation program.
Government
Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) is succeeded by Winston Churchill (1874-1965) as Prime Minister of England.
Government
The U.S. does not renew its commercial treaty with Japan.
Government
The Transportation Act passes, giving ICC authority to regulate common carriers operating in interstate commerce in the coastal, inter-coastal, and inland waters of the U.S.
War
National Defense Advisory Commission coordinates U.S. civilian defense protection.
War
Congress creates the Selective Service System, the first U.S. peacetime program of compulsory military service. It requires all men between ages 21 and 36 to register.
Science
Fritz A. Lipmann (1899-1986), biochemist, proposes that ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) is a common form of energy in many cells.
Medicine
N.M. Gregg discovers that German measles during pregnancy may cause birth defects in the unborn child.
Medicine
Linus Pauling (1901-1994) and Max Delbruck (1906-1981) determine that antigens cause the body to produce antibodies.
Inventions
V. Zworykin (1889-1982) and James Hillier (1915-) invent the electronic microscope.
Inventions
Hellmuth Walter (1900-1980), a German engineer, invents a propulsion system for submarines.
Education
The first large-scale urban college building of modern design, Hunter College, is built in New York City.
Arts and Letters
The Museum of Modern Art sets up a separate department of photography.
Arts and Letters
Painting: Picasso’s (1882-1973) lithograph, “Dove” is selected as the symbol of the World Peace Congress.
Discovery
Prehistoric drawings that are at least 20,000 years old are found in the Lascaux Caves in France.
Daily Life
The first social security check is issued to Ida Fuller for $22.54.
Daily Life
Fashion: Nylon stockings go on sale for the first time in the U.S.
Daily Life
The suspension bridge over the Narrows at Tacoma, Washington called “Galloping Gertie,” collapses because of wind vibration; the Bridge tumbles into Puget Sound.
Sports
Cornelius Warmerdam (1915-2001) is the first to pole-vault 15 feet. Two years later he sets the new record of 15 ft. 7.75 inches.
Popular Culture
Oglethorpe University (Georgia) deposits a bottle of beer, an encyclopedia, and a movie fan magazine along with 1000 of other items in its “Crypt of Civilization,” a time capsule scheduled to be opened in the year 8113.
Popular Culture
John Ford (1894-1973) wins an Oscar for directing "The Grapes of Wrath."
Reform
Labor Movement: The 40-hour workweek, part of Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, goes into effect.
1941
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: After sixteen years of service as an Associate Justice, Harlan Fiske Stone (1872-1946) is nominated Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945); he is confirmed by the Senate and serves for five years until his death in 1946.
Government
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is inaugurated for a third term as President of the U.S., and Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) is inaugurated as the nation's 33rd Vice President.
Government
The Lend-Lease Act passes, giving the president the authority to aid any nation whose defense he believed vital to the United States and to accept repayment "in kind or property, or any other direct or indirect benefit which the President deems satisfactory."
Government
The Lend-Lease Act lends war materials to friendly nations.
Government
The Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply is organized. It immediately freezes steel prices and later announces the need for tire rationing to conserve rubber.
War
Puerto Rico: US Congress establishes two thirds of the island of Vieques as a military training ground. Residents are given 24 hours to leave their homes.
War
The Selective Service System repeals the 900,000-man limitation of the Army and extends the length of service of draftees to 18 months.
War
U.S. lends the U.S.S.R. $1 billion worth of war material.
War
World War II: Japan attacks the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, destroying many war ships; the U.S. declares war on Japan.
War
World War II: U.S. forces land in Iceland to defend it against possible attack.
Science
The Manhattan Project, under the direction of Leslie Groves, begins top-secret research to develop an atomic bomb.
Medicine
Women's Firsts: Eleanor J. Macdonald (1906-?1995), the first cancer epidemiologist, establishes the world’s first cancer registry in Connecticut.
Medicine
Radioactive iodine is used to treat cancer of the thyroid.
Inventions
Aerosol spray cans are introduced.
Technology
RCA develops the “alert receiver,” a radio that is turned on or off by a special radio wave signal.
Technology
LORAN (long range aid to navigation) uses fixed radio signals to determine positions at sea.
Technology
An electron microscope is used to obtain the first photograph of a virus. The virus, only 4 ten-millionths of an inch in diameter, is magnified 65,000 times.
Reagan, Nancy
Maureen Reagan Revell (1941-2001), daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, is born January 4.
Economics
The FCC authorizes TV broadcasting. By the end of the year, 1 million sets are sold.
Daily Life
Gasoline curfew begins in 17 eastern states; gasoline stations are closed from 7am-7pm.
Daily Life
“Utility” clothing and furniture are encouraged in Britain; clothes rationing starts.
Daily Life
A National Nutrition Program begins; vitamins and minerals are added to milk, bread, and other common foods.
Daily Life
Holidays: After much protest, President Roosevelt returns the official Thansgiving to the fourth Thursday of November.
Sports
Baseball: New York Yankee center-fielder Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) hits in 56 major league games and sets a major league record.
Popular Culture
The classic movie, "Citizen Kane," starring Orson Welles (1915-1985), premiers in New York City.
Popular Culture
The famous wartime phrase “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition” is said by Howell M. Forgy, chaplain on the U.S. cruiser New Orleans, which is attacked at Pearl Harbor.
Popular Culture
Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967), arranger-composer for Duke Ellington, composes the band’s theme song, “Take the A-Train.”
Popular Culture
The USO is founded in New York City to raise the morale of American troops by supplying recreation, education, and entertainment.
Social Issues
Immigration: Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii galvanizes America’s war effort. More than 1,000 Japanese-American community leaders are incarcerated because of national security.
Social Issues
Immigration: President Roosevelt signs Executive Order 8802, forbidding discrimination in federal hiring, job-training programs, and defense industries. The newly created Fair Employment Practices Commission investigates discrimination against black employees.
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1942
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945) signs an executive order resulting in the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans living on the West Coast.
Government
Immigration: Congress allows for importation of agricultural workers from within North, Central, and South America. The Bracero Program allows Mexican laborers to work in the U.S.
War
World War II: Congress enacts measures to form the Women’s auxiliary corps of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
War
World War II: The Nazis formulate their “Final Solution” regarding the Jews at the Wannsee Conference.
War
World War II: Government wartime agencies take control of housing, alien property, shipping and transportation, foreign relief, censorship, and scientific research.
War
World War II: U.S. begins strict rationing of food and materials needed for the war effort.
Science
Russian Academy of Sciences awards honorary memberships to Americans for the first time: W. Cannon, E.O. Lawrence, and G. Lewis.
Medicine
French chemists prepare the first usable antihistamines.
Inventions
Henry Ford (1863-1947) patents the plastic automobile body.
Inventions
Magnetic recording tape is introduced.
Inventions
Bell Aircraft builds and tests the first U.S. jet, the XP-59.
Technology
Henry Kaiser (1882-1967) and Howard Hughes (1905-1976) design the Spruce Goose, an 8-engine airplane with room for 700 people.
Technology
Sonobuoys are used to detect submarines.
Technology
Radio signals (interference) are received from the Sun.
Technology
The first V-mail is sent overseas from New York City to London.
Arts and Letters
Dance: Copland (1900-1990) composes the ballet Rodeo, staged and choreographed by Agnes DeMille (1881-1959).
Ideas
Sister Elizabeth Kenny (1880-1952) publishes "Kenny Concept of Infantile Paralysis and Its Treatment."
Economics
The Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in Washington State is completed.
Discovery
Mildenhall Treasure, a hoard of Roman silverware, is discovered in Suffolk, England.
Daily Life
Disasters: Mine explosions in Honkeiko, Manchuria kill 1549 people.
Daily Life
Disasters: The ocean liner Queen Mary collides with a British cruiser; 388 people on board the cruiser are killed.
Sports
Football: The Army-Navy football game that is usually seen by 100,000 fans in Philadelphia is played in Annapolis, Maryland for fewer than 12,000. By Presidential order, tickets are sold only to resident within a 10-mile radius of the stadium.
Sports
Baseball: Just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt declares, “it would be best for the country to keep baseball going.”
Popular Culture
Band leader Glenn Miller (1904-1944) receives the first ever gold record for selling a million copies of “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”
Religion
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) publishes "The Screwtape Letters," an extremely popular Christian novel.
Religion
Lloyd Douglas, a Lutheran clergyman, publishes "The Robe," a novel based on the New Testament.
1943
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Immigration: The Magnuson Act of 1943 repeals the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, establishes quotas for Chinese immigrants, and makes them eligible for U.S. citizenship.
War
U.S. Army engineers complete the Pentagon building. This 5-sided building, headquarters of the Department of Defense, remains the largest office building in the world.
War
World War II: President Roosevelt (1882-1945) and Prime Minister Churchill (1874-1965) meet at the Casablanca Conference.
War
World War II: The Nazi siege of Leningrad is broken.U.S. bombers sink Japanese convoy of 22 ships at the Battle of Bismarck Sea.
War
World War II: U.S. naval and amphibious forces begin island-hopping operations in the Pacific, capturing key bases.
Science
The hallucinogenic drug LSD is first produced by Albert Hoffman (1906-?) at Sandoz Laboratory in Basil, Switzerland.
Science
50,000 scientists and aides, all conducting secret atomic research suddenly populate the tiny town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Medicine
Large-scale production of penicillin begins to meet the demand as the drug is being used to treat a variety of infectious diseases.
Medicine
Epidemics: An infantile paralysis (polio) epidemic kills 1151 people and cripples thousands more.
Inventions
Alvarez develops a radar-controlled bombsight.
Inventions
Polyethylene plastic is introduced.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) begin their successful partnership when they produce the musical Oklahoma.
Arts and Letters
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), conductor and composer, becomes the assistant composer of the N.Y. Philharmonic.
Economics
The “Big Inch,” world’s longest oil pipeline, is dedicated. It is 1300 miles long and stretches from Texas to Pennsylvania.
Daily Life
Women in England are no longer required to wear hats in law courts.
Daily Life
Dancing: The jitterbug is the most popular dance.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: While searching for a suspension device to ease rough sailing on battleships, navy engineer Richard James discovers that a torsion spring will "walk" end over end when knocked over. James brought the discovery home to his wife, who named the new toy "Slinky."
Sports
Women in Sports: In its June 14th issue, Time estimates there are 40,000 semi-pro women's softball teams in the US.
Sports
Women in Sports: Baseball: Philip K. Wrigley starts what will become the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the country’s only professional female league.
Sports
The Detroit Red Wings win the last 4 games in the Stanley Cup finals, defeating the Boston Bruins 2-0 to become the National League Hockey Champions.
Religion
Public Education: U.S. Supreme Court reverses 1940 decision and holds that children cannot be required to salute the flag in school if their religion prohibits it; case brought to court by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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1944
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is reelected President for a fourth term; Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) is elected the nation's 34th Vice President on the same Democratic ticket.
Government
The Declaration of Independence and other historical documents, sent from Washington D.C., for safekeeping in December 1941, are again displayed at the Library of Congress.
War
World War II: U.S. planes bomb Berlin for the first time.
War
World War II: U.S. troops establish beachheads at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach during the Allied invasion of Western Europe (D-Day).
Science
Uranium pile is built in Oak Ridge Tennessee.
Medicine
Alfred Blalock (1899-1964) and Marie Taussig introduce a surgical technique for saving “blue babies.”
Medicine
Oswald Avery (1877-1955) proves that DNA is the genetic material responsible for heredity.
Medicine
Clarence C. Little proposes that cancer is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Medicine
DDT is used to control a typhus outbreak in Naples, Italy.
Medicine
Daniel Bovet (1907-1992) discovers the antihistamine pyrilamine.
Inventions
Silicone resins are introduced as insulation capable of withstanding very high temperatures.
Education
Higher Education: President Roosevelt (1882-1945) signs The Serviceman Readjustment Act (G.I. Bill of Rights), establishing benefits for veterans after the war. One of the chief benefits of the law is the provision of funds for college for returning servicemen and women, thus providing access to higher education for many who would not have been able to afford it otherwise, and, in fact, making the idea of a college education a "normal" one for the next generation of young people.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Jean Anouilh (1910-1987) completes the play Antigone.
Ideas
Von Neumann (1903-1957) publishes "Theory of Games and Economic Behavior."
Johnson, Lady Bird
Lynda Bird Robb (1944- ), daughter of Lyndon and Claudia Johnson, is born March 19.
Daily Life
Meat rationing ends, except for steak and choice cuts of beef.
Daily Life
Transportation: The first non-stop flight from London to Canada takes place.
Popular Culture
Bing Crosby (1903-1977) stars in the film, "Going My Way."
Popular Culture
The popular radio show, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," debuts.
Popular Culture
Jimmy “Trump” Davidson’s Big Band introduces Dixieland Jazz to Canada.
1945
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
The Arab League is founded in Cairo by Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Government
The Medal of Freedom is established. It is awarded to civilians for meritorious acts or service.
Government
United Nations: The United Nations opens in San Francisco. Senate ratifies UN Charter by a vote of 89 to 2.
Government
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) is inaugurated as President for a fourth term; Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) is inaugurated as the nation's 34th Vice President.
Government
Vice President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) becomes the nation's 33rd President upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945). No new Vice President is selected.
War
World War II. The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan; the rationale is that it will shorten the war and save thousands of American and Japanese lives. Several days after the bombing, Japan surrenders, bringing World War II to an end.
War
World War II: The Russians liberate the Auschwitz concentration camp, where the Nazis killed over 1.5 million people, including over 1 million Jews.
War
World War II: U. S. Marines raise the American flag on Iwo Jima.
War
World War II: The Yalta Agreement is signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1874-1965), and Soviet leader Josef Stalin (1879-1953).
War
World War II: World War II ends; cold war begins; Soviet Union becomes prime adversary of U.S; President Truman (1884-1972) pressured to take a hard-line on Communists, foreign and domestic.
Medicine
Woodward determines the chemical structure of penicillin by using a spectroscope.
Medicine
Spies proves that folic acid (a B-vitamin) is necessary for proper development of red blood cells.
Technology
Railroad History: The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, uses the first railroad car with an observation dome. The dome is 19.5 feet long and extends the full width of the railroad car.
Technology
Weather radar is developed.
Education
Children's Books: E.B. White (1899-1985) publishes the children’s classic Stuart Little.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Sartre (1905-1980) writes the play "No Exit."
Roosevelt, Eleanor
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd president of the United States, dies of a massive cerebral hemorrhage at his home in Warm Springs, Georgia.
Economics
FCC sets aside 13 channels for commercial broadcasting.
Daily Life
Rationing of shoes, butter, and tires ends.
Daily Life
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945), Italian dictator and ally of Nazi Germany, is executed.
Daily Life
German dictator Adolph Hitler (1889-1945), and his newly married mistress, Eva Braun (1912-1945), commit suicide in his Berlin bunker.
Daily Life
Anne Frank (1929-1945), the Dutch Jewish teenager who kept a diary of her wartime experiences, dies at 15 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.
Popular Culture
Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) organizes an orchestra featuring the “bop” style of jazz.
Popular Culture
Popular radio shows include: "The Red Skeleton Show," "The Green Hornet," "Superman," "Inner Sanctum," "The Fred Allen Show," "One Man’s Family," and "Queen for a Day."
Religion
Italian writer Carlo Levi (1902-1975) causes a sensation with his novel "Christ Stopped at Eboli."
Social Issues
Immigration: The War Bride Act and the G.I. Fiancées Act allows immigration of foreign-born wives, fiancé(e)s, husbands, and children of U.S. armed forces personnel.
Reform
Women''s Suffrage Movement: Women win the vote in France.
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1946
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: President Harry S. Truman nominates Fred M. Vinson as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; the Senate confirms his nomination and he serves for seven years until his death in 1953.
Politics
McCarthy Era: November 1946 -- Joseph R. McCarthy (1908-1957)is first elected Senator from Wisconsin, defeating progressive titan Robert Lafollette (1855-1925). Richard Nixon (1913-1994) is elected Congressmen from Whittier, CA. The Democrats lose 12 Senate seats and 55 House seats.
Government
League of Nations: (April 18) The League transfers all its assets to the United Nations. Contract signed by W. Moderow, representative of the League, and Sean Lester, the last Secretary-General of the League of Nations.
Government
United Nations: The first General Assembly of the United Nations convenes in London.
Government
Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969) is elected president of North Viet Nam.
Government
The United Nations accepts an $8.5 million donation from John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) to purchases the site for the new UN headquarters in New York City.
War
Cold War: Churchill (1874-1965) delivers a speech in Fulton, Missouri, warning about Soviet expansion and coining the phrase the “Iron Curtain.” This marks the beginning of the “Cold War.”
War
The Army and Navy are permitted to manufacture atomic weapons.
War
Chinese Communists tell the U.S. to stop supplying arms to the Nationalist Chinese Party. The U.S. gives up trying to mediate the civil war in China.
Science
The Atomic Energy Commission is established.
Science
Carbon-12, and isotope is discovered.
Inventions
Printed circuits are developed.
Technology
Computer Technology: A computer begins working at the University of Pennsylvania, taking seconds to do calculations that normally take hours. It is named ENIAC, or Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985) publishes "This Side of Innocence."
Arts and Letters
Architecture: The “ranch-type” home becomes popular; many find the low-slung, single story homes very appealing.
Ideas
Lemaitre (1894-1966) publishes "Hypothesis of the Primeval Atom."
Nixon, Pat
Tricia Nixon Cox (1946- ), daughter of Richard and Patricia Nixon, is born February 21.
Bush, Barbara
George Walker Bush (1946- ), son of George and Barbara Bush, is born July 6.
Discovery
Byrd (1888-1957) leads an expedition to the North Pole.
Daily Life
Mikhail Botvinnik (1911-1995) of the U.S.S.R. is considered the world’s finest chess player.
Daily Life
The government lifts most price and wage controls. U.S.
Daily Life
Disasters: An Army plane crashes into the Manhattan Company in New York City; 5 people are killed.
Sports
Women’s Firsts: Women in Sports: Edith Houghton becomes the first woman hired as a major-league baseball scout.
Popular Culture
Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) directs the film Notorious.
Popular Culture
Irving Berlin (1888-1989) writes the score for the Broadway musical, "Annie Get Your Gun."
Religion
Mother Frances X. Cabrini (1850-1917) is canonized; she is the first U.S. citizen to become a saint in the Catholic Church.
Religion
Women’s Firsts: Mother Maria Frances Cabrini (1850-1917) is canonized by Pope Pius XII. She is the first U.S. citizen (she was born in Italy) to become a saint.
Reform
Women''s Suffrage Movement: Women win the vote in Italy.
Reform
The strike by the United Mine Workers begins. President Truman seizes the mines after employers reject the government’s negotiated contract.
1947
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Education: The Supreme Court upholds a state law permitting pupils attending parochial schools to ride on public school buses. This is the first of many cases on the separation of church and state in relation to schools.
Law
The Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution, limiting Presidents to two terms, is passed by Congress.
Government
McCarthy Era: Senator McCarthy (1908-1957) is assigned to the Government Operations Committee in Senate; Congressman Nixon is appointed to the House Un-American Activities Committee. Mr. Nixon is first lawyer on The Committee and is noteworthy for raising the level of "respectability" of the Committee's proceedings.
Government
McCarthy Era: Criticized for loose scrutiny of federal employees, President Truman (1884-1972) initiates a loyalty program for civil servants -- the Federal Loyalty Board Program.
Government
Congress approves economic and military assistance for Greece and Turkey.
Government
Congress enacts the Labor Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley Labor Act) over President Truman’s veto. It limits the power of labor unions and puts restrictions on strikes, closed shop, and political activities.
Government
President Truman (1884-1972) states the principle of Soviet Containment (Truman Doctrine).
Government
Britain nationalizes coalmines, cable and radio communications, and the electrical supply industry.
Government
The Secretary of State proposes the European Recovery Program (The Marshall Plan) to give economic aid to certain war-torn European nations.
War
World War II: U.S. ratifies peace treaties with Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Rumania.
War
The National Security Act unifies all branches of the armed services into a new Department of Defense.
Science
Willard Frank Libby (1908-1980) develops radio-carbon dating (carbon-14) and uses this method to determine the age of several ancient artifacts.
Medicine
Heparin is synthesized.
Medicine
Bovet discovers synthetic drugs that produce a non-poisonous, curare-like effect.
Technology
Edwin Land (1906-1991) introduces the Polaroid camera for instant photographs.
Technology
Howard Aiken (1900-1973) produces an improved electromechanical calculator, the Mark II.
Technology
Personal Computers: Three scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories, William Shockley (1910-1989), Walter Brattain (1902-1987), and John Bardeen (1908-1991) demonstrate their new invention of the point-contact transistor amplifier. The name transistor is short for "transfer resistance.”
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The principal approach to production (a theatricalized realism compounded of acting, which emphasized intense psychological truth, and of visual elements, which eliminated nonessentials but retained realistic outlines) is popularized. The method is made most renown by Elia Kazan (1909-2003) and Jo Mielziner (1901-1976) in the 1947 production of "Streetcar Named Desire" and the 1949 production of "Death of a Salesman."
Arts and Letters
Drama: Arthur Miller (1915-2005) publishes "All My Sons."
Arts and Letters
Drama: Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) publishes the Pulitzer Prize winning work, "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Arts and Letters
Literature: James Michener (1907-1997) publishes "Tales of the South Pacific," the basis for the Broadway show "South Pacific."
Johnson, Lady Bird
Luci Baines Johnson Turpin (1947- ), daughter of Lyndon and Claudia Johnson, is born July 2.
Carter, Rosalynn
John William “Jack” Carter (1947- ), son of James “Jimmy” and Rosalynn Carter, is born July 3.
Daily Life
Congressional proceedings are televised for the first time.
Daily Life
The wartime draft ends.
Daily Life
Transportation: The first supersonic jet flight takes place.
Daily Life
Fashion: With wartime shortages over, Christian Dior introduces "The New Look" in women's fashions, featuring calf-lenth full skirts and large hats.
Sports
Black Athletes: Baseball: Jackie Robinson (1919-1972), the first black baseball player in the major leagues, makes his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and scores the game-winning run.
Sports
John Cobb (1899-1952) establishes a world ground speed record of 394.196 mph.
Popular Culture
Reports of “flying saucers” receive widespread publicity.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: In the Fay v. New York case, the U.S. Supreme Court says women are equally qualified with men to serve on juries but are granted an exemption and may serve or not as women choose.
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1948
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Education: The Supreme Court rules that religious instruction in public schools violates the Constitution.
Politics
McCarthy Era: 1948 -- HUAC gets Whitaker Chambers to implicate Alger Hiss as a spy. Nixon destroys Hiss's reputation in the press, reveals "Pumpkin Papers" in conference.
Politics
Democratic President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) is re-elected as President of the U.S. and Alben W. Barkley (1877-1956) is elected as the nation's 35th Vice President.
Politics
Southern Democrats bolt the Democratic Party in opposition to the civil rights platform.
Politics
Communists take control of the government in Czechoslovakia.
Government
President Harry Truman (1884-1972) signs the Marshall Plan, a major policy and financial commitment to aid in the recovery of Europe after World War II.
Government
The U.S. recognizes the new state of Israel.
Government
Burma (now called Myanmar) and Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka) gain their independence from Great Britain.
War
Cold War: Communist Party leaders in the U.S. are indicted and charged with instigating the overthrow of the U.S. government.
Science
Lovell determines that meteors are natural phenomenon of the solar system.
Science
Oak Ridge National Laboratory begins to develop peaceful uses for atomic energy.
Medicine
The U.S. Public Health Service devises a simple test for diabetes mellitus.
Medicine
Yale University scientists develop a nylon respirator to replace the iron lung.
Medicine
The World Health Organization (WHO) is organized. They first meet in Geneva, Switzerland.
Education
Public Education: The Educational Testing Service is formed, merging the College Entrance Examination Board, the Cooperative Test Service, the Graduate Records Office, the National Committee on Teachers Examinations and others, with huge grants from the Rockefeller and Carnegie foundations. These testing services continued the work of eugenicists like Carl Brigham (originator of the SAT) who did research "proving" that immigrants were feeble-minded.
Arts and Letters
Literature: William Faulkner (1897-1962) publishes "Intruder in the Dust."
Nixon, Pat
Julie Nixon Eisenhower (1948 - ), daughter of Richard and Patricia Nixon, is born July 5.
Daily Life
Women''s Firsts: The first female Army officer is sworn in.
Daily Life
Crayola: To help art teachers learn about the many ways to use the growing number of Crayola products, a teacher workshop program begins to offer in-school training across the country. It continues today.
Sports
Women in Sports: Black Athletes: The first woman to win an olympic gold medal is Alice Coachman (1923-…), who wins in the high jump.
Sports
Women in Sports: The Roller Derby is broadcast live on television from New York City with women skaters.
Sports
Baseball: Stan Musial (1920-) of the St. Louis Cardinals wins the Most Valuable Player Award for the third time.
Popular Culture
The first motion-picture newsreel in color is taken in Pasadena, California at the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl.
Popular Culture
Miles Davis (1926-1991) leads a nine piece combo that pioneers “cool” jazz.
Social Issues
Immigration: The Supreme Court rules that California’s Alien Land Laws prohibiting the ownership of agricultural property violates the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
Social Issues
Immigration: The United States admits persons fleeing persecution in their native lands; allowing 205,000 refugees to enter within two years.
Social Issues
Native Americans: Native Americans win the right to vote in state elections.
Reform
Women''s Suffrage Movement: Women win the vote in Belgium.
1949
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
President Truman (1884-1972) outlines his “Point Four” proposal for U.S. technical aid to underdevelopedcountries.
Government
President Truman (1884-1972) proposes a program of domestic litigation called the “Fair Deal.”
Government
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreement is signed.
Government
The country of Siam changes its name to Thailand.
Government
The German Federal Republic is established.
Government
Democratic President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) is inaugurated as President of the U.S. and Alben W. Barkley (1877-1956) is inaugurated as the nation's 35th Vice President.
War
Cold War: Soviets explode Hydrogen Bomb. Mainland China becomes Communist.
Medicine
First implant of intraocular lens used by Sir Harold Ridley (1906- 2001).
Medicine
The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute warn that cigarette smoking may cause cancer.
Medicine
Commercial production of ACTH begins. It is used to treat arthritis, rheumatic fever, and gout.
Medicine
Waksman (1888-1973) prepares neomycin, an antibiotic.
Medicine
Epidemic: 2,720 deaths occur from polio, and 42,173 cases are reported.
Inventions
The Atomic Energy Commission designs a breeder reactor that produces power by nuclear fusion, creating more fuel than it uses.
Technology
Computer Technology: Eckert (1919-1995) and Mauchly (1907-1980) build BINAC (Binary Automatic Computer), the first computer with self-checking devices.
Technology
The National Bureau of Standards builds an atomic clock that is accurate to within 1 second over the course of 3 million years.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: There are only 150 legitimate professional theatres serving the entire U.S.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: 70 TV stations are serving 2 million receivers in urban areas; this is same number as those attending the remaining theatres.
Ideas
Orwell (1903-1950) foresees a grim future in his satirical masterpiece "1984," a novel that introduces the “Big Brother” concept of totalitarian government.
Ideas
Maria Geoppert-Mayer (1906-1972) develops a nuclear shell theory.
Bush, Barbara
Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush (1949-1953), daughter of George and Barbara Bush, is born December 20.
Daily Life
Transportation: The first non-stop around the world flight (23,452 miles) is completed by Captain James Gallagher in 94 hours, 1 minute.
Daily Life
Fashion: Bathing suits called “bikinis” are introduced to the American fashion scene.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Ole Christiansen, a Danish toy maker, begins to manufacture toy blocks with a new twist. Christiansen creates a plastic brick that can be locked together in different configurations. The Lego, which comes from the Danish leg godt, meaning "play well," was born. The continuing popularity of the Lego brick probably stems from its ability to stimulate a child''s imagination-just six bricks fit together in 102,981,500 different ways.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Eleanor Abbott designs Candy Land while recovering from polio in San Diego, California.
Sports
U.S. wins unofficial championship of the 14th Olympic games in London with a team score of 547 points.
Popular Culture
The first Emmy Awards are presented for excellence in television.
Popular Culture
The movie "Hamlet," starring Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), becomes the first British film to win an Oscar.
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1950
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Three years after gaining its independence from Great Britain, India formally becomes a republic.
Government
Senator Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957) claims he has evidence that there are card-carrying members of the Communist Party in the State Department.
War
Cold War: The Soviet Union announces its possession of the atomic bomb.
War
Korean War: President Truman (1884-1972) authorizes the use of U.S. forces in Korea, following the invasion of South Korea by North Korean troops. A naval blockade of Korea is ordered.
Science
President Truman (1884-1972) authorizes the Atomic Energy Commission to produce the hydrogen bomb (H-bomb).
Science
Congress establishes the National Science Foundation.
Medicine
Although Americans spend more than $100 million annually on antihistamines, research shows that the drugs neither prevent nor cure the common cold, but merely relieve some symptoms.
Medicine
Nobel Prize for the Physiology of Medicine goes to Phillip Hench (1896-1965) (American), Edward Kendall (1886-1972) (American), and T. Reichstein (1897-1996) (Swiss) for the discovery of cortisone and its medical uses.
Inventions
The History of Toys: Silly putty is invented.
Technology
The longest vehicular tunnel, the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel in New York City, opens to traffic.
Education
Libraries: First drive-through windows are established for book returns at Cincinnati's Public Library.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: Children’s Theatres, College and University Theatres, Community Theatres, and Off-Broadway theatres experience some growth.
Truman, Bess
Assassination: Two Puerto Rican nationalists make unsuccessful attempts to kill President Truman (1884-1972).
Ford, Betty
Michael Gerald Ford (1950- ), son of Gerald and Betty Ford, is born March 14.
Carter, Rosalynn
James Earl “Chip” Carter III (1950-), son of James “Jimmy” and Rosalynn Carter, is born April 12.
Economics
U.S. bars trade shipments to Communist China.
Economics
The Ford Thunderbird is introduced.
Discovery
Archaeological discoveries in La Jolla, California, indicate that North America has been inhabited for at least 40,000 years.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: The FBI releases its “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list for the first time.
Sports
Richard Button (1929-), age 19, world figure skating champion is selected as top U.S. amateur athlete.
Sports
Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Althea Gibson becomes the first African-American— male or female—to play in a major United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) event.
Popular Culture
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) writes the holiday song “Sleigh Ride.”
Popular Culture
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) writes the score to "Peter Pan," which stars Mary Martin (1913-1990) in the title role.
Religion
The National Council of the Churches of Christ is formed; it unites 25 Protestant and 4 Eastern Orthodox groups. Membership is 32 million.
Religion
Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) proclaims the first Roman Catholic dogma since 1870-that the Virgin Mary, after her death, was assumed into Heaven physically and spiritually.
Social Issues
Immigration: Bureau of Indian Affairs terminates federal services for Native Americans in lieu of state supervision.
1951
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting presidents to two terms, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Law
The Supreme Court upholds the Smith Act, under which eleven Communists in the U.S. are convicted.
Politics
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) again becomes the British Prime Minister.
Government
The United Nations headquarters opens in New York City.
Government
The Mutual Security Agency is set up to offer U.S. economic, military, and technical aid to other countries.
Government
A Selective Service Bill lowers draft age to 18.5 and lengthens military service to two years.
War
Korean War: During the Korean War, North Korean and Communist Chinese forces captured the city of Seoul.
War
Korean War: President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) fires General Douglas McArthur.
War
World War II: President Truman (1884-1972) declares that state of war with Germany is officially ended; the U.S.-Japanese treaty allows the U.S. to maintain military bases in Japan.
War
Korean War: North Korean and Communist Chinese forces captured the city of Seoul.
Science
The National Geographic Society estimates that there are 300 million stars in the Milky Way.
Medicine
Woodard synthesizes two steroids: cortisone and cholesterol.
Medicine
Fluoridated water is shown to reduce tooth decay by 2/3.
Medicine
Reuben L. Kahn (1887-1874) develops a “universal reaction” blood test for the early detection of several diseases.
Medicine
Antabuse, a drug that prevents alcoholics from drinking, is introduced.
Inventions
A video camera is developed that records both pictures and sound on magnetic tape.
Technology
The United States Air Force starts atomic testing in the Nevada desert.
Technology
Computer Technology: UNIVAC I (Universal automatic computer) is the first commercially successful computer. It is 14 1/2 feet long, 7 1/2 feet wide, and 8 feet high. Forty-six UNIVACS are sold to businesses at prices starting at $600,000.
Technology
An additional 70 broadcast frequencies are made available for TV in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range.
Arts and Letters
Literature: J.D. Salinger (1919- ) publishes "The Catcher in the Rye."
Ideas
Rachel Carson (1907-1964) publishes "The Sea Around Us," which in effect launches the ecological movement.
Economics
The employment of women reaches the highest point-even more than during WWII.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Julius (1918-1951) and Ethel (1915-1951) Rosenberg are found guilty of passing atomic secrets to the Russians and are sentenced to death as spies.
Sports
Horse Racing: The first horse to win $1 million dollars is “Citation.” Winning total $1,085,760.
Sports
Boxing: The world heavyweight championship is won by Jersey Joe Walcott when he knocks out Ezzard Charles. At 37, Walcott is the oldest man to win the title.
Sports
Center fielder Willie Mays makes his major-league debut with the New York Giants. He goes on to win the 1951 National League Rookie of the Year award.
Popular Culture
The first commercial color telecast is presented by the Columbia Broadcasting Company (CBS) in New York City.
Popular Culture
Rodgers (1902-1979) and Hammerstein II (1895-1960) write the score for the King and I.
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1952
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) is elected the 34th President of the U.S. and Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) is elected the 36th Vice President on the Republican ticket. Eisenhower is the first Republican President since Hoover’s election in 1928. Republicans gain control of Congress.
Government
England’s Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
Government
Immigration: Congress passes the McCarran-Walter Act (Immigration and Nationality Act) over President Truman’s (1884-1972) veto. It abolishes race as a barrier to immigration but retains the national origins quota system.
Government
Puerto Rico's constitution is proclaimed, establishing a commonwealth with autonomy in internal affairs.
Government
Immigration: The Immigration and Nationality Act allows individuals of all races to be eligible for naturalization. The act also reaffirms national origins quota system, limits immigration from the Eastern Hemisphere while leaving the Western Hemisphere unrestricted, establishes preferences for skilled workers and relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens; and tightens security and screening standards and procedures.
Government
Native Americans: The Bureau of Indian Affairs begins selling 1.6 million acres of Native American land to developers.
War
Prime Minister Churchill (1874-1965) announces that Great Britain has made an atomic bomb.
Science
Edward Teller (1908-2003) successfully tests a hydrogen bomb, the world’s finest nuclear weapon.
Medicine
Research shows that the genetic material of viruses is DNA.
Medicine
Floyd Lewis uses hypothermia (lowing a patients body temperature) in open heart surgery.
Medicine
Epidemic: In the worst polio epidemic since 1916, polio takes 3,300 lives out of 57,628 cases reported.
Medicine
Vaccines: Jonas Salk (1914- 1995) develops the first polio vaccine.
Inventions
The History of Toys: Jack Odell invents the original Matchbox car when he makes a small brass model of a Road Roller and puts it into a matchbox so that his daughter could bring it to school. Today, 100 million Matchbox cars are sold each year.
Technology
More than 2000 new television broadcasting stations open; about 65 million people watch the presidential nomination conventions.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) writes "Wise Blood," a novel about a religious fanatic.
Arts and Letters
Hemingway (1899-1961) publishes "The Old Man and the Sea."
Ford, Betty
John “Jack” Gardner Ford (1952- ), son of Gerald and Betty Ford, is born March 16.
Carter, Rosalynn
Donnell Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter (1952- ), son of James “Jimmy” and Rosalynn Carter, is born August 18.
Reagan, Nancy
Patricia “Patti Davis” Ann Reagan (1952- ), daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, is born October 22.
Economics
A complaint is filed against IBM, alleging monopolistic practices in its computer business, in violation of the Sherman Act.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Banking on the idea that children like to play with their food, Hasbro introduces Mr. Potato Head.
Sports
Racecar driver John Cobb is killed while attempting to set the water speed-record in Scotland.
Sports
The NFL buys the New York Yankees.
Popular Culture
Panty raids take place on college campuses throughout the country.
Popular Culture
Hollywood develops three-dimensional movies. Natural Vision (3-D) films must be viewed through special glasses; after brief success, the novelty wears off.
Religion
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible for Protestants is publishes; it is edited by 32 scholars who have been at work since 1937.
Reform
Peace Corps: Since the end of the Second World War, various members of the United States Congress have proposed bills to establish volunteer organizations in the Third World. In 1952 Senator Brien McMahon (1903-1952) (Dem. Connecticut) proposed an "army" of young Americans to act as "missionaries of democracy". Privately funded non-religious organizations have been sending volunteers overseas since the 1950s.
1953
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: President Dwight D. Eisenhower nominates Earl Warren as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; the Senate confirms his nomination in 1954 and he serves for fifteen years until his retirement in 1969.
Politics
President Eisenhower (1890-1969) gets increasing pressure to take on McCarthy (1908-1957) from friends and advisors. Business leaders recognize that McCarthy is a danger to the party.
Government
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) is inaugurated as the 34th President of the U.S. and Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) is inaugurated as the 36th Vice President.
Government
Immigration: Congress amends the 1948 refugee policy to allow for the admission of 200,000 more refugees.
Government
A new Cabinet-level Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is created.
Government
Native Americans: Congress proposes giving individual Indians the same civil status as U.S. citizens, thus ending all limitations on Indian tribes.
Government
Tito (1892-1980) is elected the first president of the Republic of Yugoslavia.
Government
Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961) of Sweden becomes the Secretary General of the United Nations.
War
Cold War: The U.S. Communist Party is ordered to register with the Department of Justice as an organization controlled and directed by the U.S.S.R.
War
Cold War: A federal jury in New York City convicts 13 Communists of conspiring to teach about how to overthrow the U.S. government.
War
U.S blockade of Formosa is lifted, permitting attacks by Nationalists on China’s mainland.
War
Cold War: President Eisenhower (1890-1969) announces that the U.S. will not physically interfere in the affairs of countries behind the Iron Curtain.
Science
Francis H. Crick (1916-2004) and James Dewey Watson (1928- ) discover the structure of a DNA molecule; they call it the double helix.
Inventions
Transistorized hearing aids are introduced.
Technology
Harry Truman (1884-1972) announces that the U.S. has developed the hydrogen bomb.
Technology
A way of transmitting color TV signals that can be received by both color and black and white set is introduced.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Arthur Miller (1915-1005) publishes "The Crucible."
Arts and Letters
Literature: Richard Wright (1908-1961) publishes "The Outsider."
Bush, Barbara
John Ellis “Jeb” Bush (1953- ), son of George and Barbara Bush, is born February 11.
Bush, Barbara
Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush (1949-1953), daughter of George and Barbara Bush, dies October 11 of leukemia.
Economics
Motor Company: Ford Motor Company celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Discovery
Women’s Firsts: Jerrie Cobb (1931- …) is the first woman in the U.S. to undergo astronaut testing. NASA, however, cancels the women''s program in 1963. It is not until 1983 that an American woman gets sent into space.
Daily Life
Fashion: Fashion designers become interested in men’s clothes. Bermuda shorts for the businessman are promoted and worn during the summer months.
Sports
Baseball: The New York Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 50th annual World Series. The Yankees are the first team to win 5 consecutive series titles.
Sports
Golf: Golfer Ben Hogan (1912-1997) wins the Masters Tournament and the U.S. and British Open championships.
Sports
Maureen Connolly (1934-1969), age 19, is the first woman to win a “grand slam” in tennis.
Sports
Black Athletes: Football: Willie Thrower (1930-2002) becomes NFL''s first African-American quarterback.
Popular Culture
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) (1911-1989) gives birth to baby Ricky on the TV show, "I Love Lucy." More people turned in to watch the show than did to see the inauguration of President Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969).
Popular Culture
The first three-D movie, "Bwana Devil," opens in New York.
Popular Culture
The Academy Awards are televised for the first time.
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1954
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Education: The Supreme Court rules in Brown v. Topeka Board of Education that “separate but equal” educational facilities are unconstitutional.
Government
The Senate censures Senator Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957) with a vote of 67-22, with 7 abstentions.
Government
U.S. signs pact with Nationalist China (now Taiwan).
Government
The Communist Control Act deprives U.S. Communists of rights enjoyed by other U.S. citizens.
War
Senate approves U.S. South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty.
War
America’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus, is launched.
Medicine
The American Cancer Society reports higher death rates among cigarette smokers.
Inventions
Kurchatov (1903-1960) develops an icebreaker powered by nuclear energy.
Technology
U.S. and Canada announce the construction of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line of radar stations across northern North America.
Technology
Battery Technology: RCA develops a flashlight-sized atomic battery.
Technology
The U.S. authorizes construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway in cooperation with Canada.
Education
Public Education: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The Supreme Court unanimously agrees that segregated schools are "inherently unequal" and must be abolished. Almost 45 years later in 1998, schools, especially in the north, are as segregated as ever.
Arts and Letters
Literature: J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) publishes the epic fantasy trilogy "Lord of the Rings."
Arts and Letters
Literature: William Golding (1911-1993) publishes "Lord of the Flies."
Arts and Letters
Literature: Kingsley Amis (1922-1995) publishes "Lucky Jim."
Economics
The Atomic Energy Act allows for the development of peaceful atomic energy project by private companies, which are also allowed to own nuclear materials.
Discovery
Plant fossils are discovered in the Great Lakes.
Discovery
Temple of Mithras (Roman god, 3rd century B.C) is discovered during rebuilding in London.
Daily Life
26 comic book publishers adopt a voluntary code to eliminate obscene, vulgar, and horror comics.
Daily Life
The average American’s favorite meal is a fruit cup, vegetable soup, steak and potatoes, peas, rolls and butter, and pie a la mode.
Sports
Baseball: Hank Aaron (1934- ) hits the first of his 755 home runs.
Sports
Horse Racing: Gordon Richards (1904-1986) is the first professional jockey to be knighted.
Sports
British runner Diane Leather (1933-) is the first woman to run the mile in under 5 minutes.
Popular Culture
The first Newport Jazz festival takes place.
1955
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) resigns as Prime Minister of England.
War
Congress authorizes the President to use force, if necessary, to protect Nationalist China against Communist attack.
War
Cold War: Federal employees who are “security risks” continue to be dismissed an ongoing policy since 1953.
Science
The National Geographic Society suggests that the blue-green areas on Mars are living plants.
Medicine
Vaccines: The polio vaccine created by Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995) is called “safe, effective and potent.”
Technology
Electricity for public use is produced on a limited and experimental basis at a nuclear reactor.
Education
Libraries: The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County opens a new main library.
Education
Public Education: Brown v. Board: In Brown II, the Court orders that desegregation should occur “with all deliberate speed.” Unfortunately, the vagueness of this phrase, combined with the unwillingness of many states to desegregate, meant that many states were able to postpone any desegregation. Anger over these delays and a growing frustration over the continued disenfranchisement of African-Americans helped launch the Civil Rights Movement.
Arts and Letters
Marian Anderson (1897-1993) makes her Metropolitan Opera debut.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Thomas Merton (1915-1968) publishes "No Man is an Island."
Arts and Letters
Drama: Tennesse Williams (1911-1983) writes "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
Bush, Barbara
Neil Mallon Bush (1955- ), son of George and Barbara Bush, is born January 22.
Economics
The Labor Movement: American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merge.
Economics
Commercial television broadcasting begins in Britain.
Daily Life
On July 17, Arco, Idaho, becomes the first town to have all its electrical needs generated by a nuclear power plant.
Daily Life
New York also draws power from a nuclear power plant.
Popular Culture
President Eisenhower (1890-1969) approves the first filming of a news conference for television.
Popular Culture
The first McDonald’s restaurant is opened by Ray Kroc (1902-1984) in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Popular Culture
Jim Henson (1936-1990) creates Kermit the frog.
Popular Culture
Rock ‘n’ roll music is attacked as “immoral” and is thought to contribute to juvenile delinquency.
Religion
Ordination of women ministers is approved by the Presbyterian Church.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Blacks boycott city bus lines in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), boycott leader, gains national prominence for advocating passive resistance to segregation in public places.
Reform
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) encourages and supports segregation movement throughout the country.
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1956
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) and Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) are reelected as President and Vice President of the United States
Government
The Agriculture (Soil Bank) Act pays farmers to take cropland out of production in order to reduce crop surpluses.
Government
The Federal Aid Highway Act authorizes a 13-year intra and interstate highway building program to be funded by tolls paid by motorists.
Government
Morocco gains its independence from France.
Science
The neutrino, a subatomic particle with no charge, is observed.
Medicine
The National Cancer Institute proposes that increased rates of lung cancer may be due to air pollution.
Medicine
The National Academy of Science reports that any radiation, even small amounts, can cause genetic damage.
Inventions
The Hovercraft is invented.
Technology
England opens the world’s first major atomic power plant for the production of electricity.
Technology
Personal Computers: The first transistorized computer is completed, the TX-O (Transistorized Experimental computer), at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ideas
Charles T.R. Wilson (1869-1959) proposes a theory of thunderstorm electricity.
Ford, Betty
Steven Meigs Ford (1956- ), son of Gerald and Betty Ford, is born May 19.
Bush, Barbara
Marvin Pierce Bush (1956- ), son of George and Barbara Bush, is born December 22.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company goes public and, on Feb. 24, 1956, they have about 350,000 new stockholders.
Economics
A U.S. District Court makes a final judgment on the complaint against IBM filed in January 1952 regarding monopolistic practices. A "consent decree" is signed by IBM, placing limitations on how IBM conducts business with respect to "electronic data processing machines.”
Discovery
The Palace of Emperor Diocletian (Roman Emperor A.D. 285-305) is excavated in Split, Yugoslavia
Daily Life
Barnum & Bailey Circus performs its last show under canvas.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Play-doh enters the market as a wallpaper cleaner. Non-toxic and less messy than regular modeling clay, it is soon recognized that the cleaner makes an excellent toy.
Sports
Black Athletes: Mildred McDaniel's (1933-…) winning high jump in Melbourne, Australia, makes her the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
Sports
Boxing: Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) retires as undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion.
Popular Culture
Elvis Presley’s (1935-1977) record, "Heartbreak Hotel," hits No. 1 on the pop charts.
Popular Culture
Movies and movie stars are allowed to appear on TV for the first time.
Popular Culture
The Broadway musical, "My Fair Lady" gains recognition.
Popular Culture
Dizzie Gillespie (1917-1993) and his band are sent by the U.S. State Department on a goodwill tour-the first jazz musicians to be subsidized by the U.S. government.
Social Issues
Segregation: Southern Congressman call on states to resist “by all lawful means” the Supreme Court ruling against segregation in the public schools.
1957
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
The U.S. proposes a 10-month halt to nuclear testing as a first step toward disarmament.
Government
Stamps: The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee is created to provide advice to the Postmaster General on the subject matter and design of US stamps.
War
World War II: U.S. occupation forces leave Japan.
War
A Senate subcommittee holds hearings on U.S. preparedness to withstand Soviet military attack.
Science
The Federation of American Scientists urges a worldwide ban on nuclear weapon testing.
Science
Space Race: In October, the Soviet Union successfully launches the first artificial satellite, called Sputnik I (the Russian word for "traveler"; in November, they launch Sputnik 2, which carries a small dog named Laika into orbit.
Medicine
Vaccines: Albert Sabin (1906-1993) begins human trials on his oral polio vaccine.
Medicine
Walter Grey Walter (1910-1977) invents the brain EEG topography (toposcope).
Medicine
Daniele Bovet (1896-1980) wins the Nobel Prize for his discovery of antihistamines and muscle relaxing drugs.
Technology
Perceptron, a bionic computer that prints, writes, and responds to spoken commands is developed.
Education
Public Education: A federal court orders integration of Little Rock, Arkansas public schools. Governor Orval Faubus sends his National Guard to physically prevent nine African American students from enrolling at all-white Central High School. Reluctantly, President Eisenhower sends federal troops to enforce the court order not because he supports desegregation, but because he can't let a state governor use military power to defy the U.S. federal government.
Kennedy, Jackie
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg (1957-), daughter of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, is born November 27.
Ford, Betty
Susan Ford Vance Bales (1957- ), daughter of Gerald and Betty Ford, is born July 6.
Economics
America’s first large nuclear power plant opens in Shippingport, Pa.
Economics
American Money: Paper currency is first issued with "In God We Trust" as required by Congress in 1955.
Daily Life
Fashion: The sack dress, unfitted material that drapes the body, is the fashion of the year.
Sports
Baseball: The Dodgers leave Brooklyn for Los Angeles. The Giants leave New York for San Francisco. Major league baseball finally reaches the west coast.
Sports
Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Althea Gibson (1927-2003) becomes the first black person to play in and win Wimbledon and the United States national tennis championship. She won both tournaments twice, in 1957 and 1958.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: John Lennon (1940-1980) meets Paul McCartney (1942- ) on July 6, 1957.
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1958
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) becomes Soviet premier and first secretary of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union.
Government
The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) is established to ensure air safety.
War
The Defense Reorganization Act centralizes defense structure so that the U.S. can respond more quickly to a nuclear attack by the U.S.S.R.
Science
Space Race: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is established.
Technology
Space Race: Explorer I, the first U.S. earth satellite, is launched; Explorer II is launched, but fails to make orbit; the Soviet Union launches Sputnit 3; the U.S. launches Vanguard 1, which functions for 3 years.
Technology
Stereo LPs are introduced.
Technology
There are 160 electronic computers in use in Europe (1000 in U.S.)
Technology
Personal Computers: At Texas Instruments, Jack Kilby (1923-2005) completes building the first integrated circuit, containing five components on a piece of germanium half an inch long and thinner than a toothpick.
Education
Crayola: Prussian blue, the first Crayola crayon color to get a new name, becomes "midnight blue." Teachers prompted the change, as children could no longer relate to Prussian history.
Education
The Supreme Court orders states to not delay public school desegregation.
Education
The National Defense Education Act is signed; this authorizes low-interest, long-term tuition loans to college and graduate students.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) publishes "Suddenly Last Summer."
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: Television penetration reaches 85% of population.
Ideas
Bionics is a word coined to describe artificial machines or systems that work and or look like living systems.
Reagan, Nancy
Ronald Prescott Reagan (1958- ), son of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, is born May 20.
Discovery
Sir Edmund Hillary (1919- ) reaches the South Pole overland.
Discovery
Explorer Sir Vivian Fuchs (1908-1999) completes the first crossing of Antarctica by land.
Daily Life
The first parking meters are used in London.
Daily Life
Crayola: The Crayola 64 Box with its signature built-in sharpener debuts, becoming the perennial favorite of Crayola colorers for more than 40 years.
Sports
Black Athletes: Willie O’Ree (1935-…) is one of the NHL hockey players in Boston Bruins.
Sports
Women in Sports: Women are admitted to the international cycling championships.
Popular Culture
At age 14, Bobby Fischer (1943- ) wins the U.S. Chess Championship for the first time.
Popular Culture
Rock ‘n’ roll star Elvis Presley (1935-1977) begins a two-year hitch in the U.S. army.
Popular Culture
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) composes the song "Satin Doll."
Religion
U.S. churches report large increases in membership since 1950.
Religion
Judaism: The Supreme Religious Center for World Jewry is dedicated in Jerusalem, Israel.
1959
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court rules that a person can be tried for the same offense in both state and federal courts (double jeopardy).
Government
New State: Alaska becomes the 49th state in the Union.
Government
Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) becomes the first president of France’s Fifth Republic.
Government
Fidel Castro (1926- ) becomes the leader of Cuba after having ousted the right-wing dictator, Fulgencio Batista (1901-1973).
Government
American Flag: The Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 establishes the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
Science
International Atomic Energy Agency is formed to explore peaceful uses of atomic energy.
Science
Heat produced in a nuclear reaction is converted directly into electricity via a plasma thermocouple.
Science
Space Race: NASA selects the first 7 astronauts.
Technology
Space Race: The first spacecraft to orbit the Sun, Mechta (Luna 1) is launched by the USSR in January; Luna 2 impacts the moon in September; Luna 3 orbits the moon in October, photographing 70% of its surface.
Technology
GE demonstrates a radio-optical telescope tracking station for following and monitoring space vehicles.
Technology
Personal Computers: At Fairchild Semiconductor, Robert Noyce (1927-1990) constructs an integrated circuit with components connected by aluminum lines on a silicon-oxide surface layer on a plane of silicon.
Technology
Space Race: The U.S. launches Pioneer 4, which passes within 37,000 miles of the moon.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The San Francisco Mime Troupe created by R. G. Davis is established.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Ford Foundation funds the regional theatre program but it cannot continue because of a lack of subsequent investments.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) publishes "Raisin in the Sun."
Arts and Letters
Drama: Eugene Ionesco (1912-1994) writes the play "Rhinoceros."
Bush, Barbara
Lives of the First Ladies: Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch (1959- ), daughter of George and Barbara Bush, is born August 18.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company establishes what today is the industry’s largest automobile leasing company known as Ford Credit. More than 40 years later, it’s still helping make vehicle ownership a more affordable reality for many.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: The Barbie doll is introduced at the American Toy Fair in New York City by Elliot Handler, founder of Mattel Toys, and his wife, Ruth.
Sports
The largest fish ever hooked with a rod and reel is landed by Alfred Dean in South Australia; the fish is a white shark measuring 16 feet and 10 inches and weighed 2,664 pounds.
Sports
Football: The American Football League is formed.
Popular Culture
Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein (1895-1960) compose the score for "The Sound of Music."
Religion
The Dalai Lama receives political asylum from India, after fleeing Chinese repression of a Tibetan revolt.
Religion
Pope John XXIII (1881-1963) calls for Vatican Council II, the first ecumenical council since 1870.
Social Issues
Immigration: Fidel Castro’s Cuban revolution prompts mass exodus of more than 200,000 people within three years.
Reform
Labor Movement: Nationwide steel strike lasts 116 days; this is the longest steel strike in U.S. history.
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1960
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution, enabling residents of the District of Columbia to vote for President and Vice President in national elections, is passed by Congress.
Politics
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) is elected as the 35th President of the United States, and Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) is elected as the nation's 37th Vice President.
Politics
President Eisenhower (1890-1969) makes goodwill tours in the Far East and Latin America.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Oveta Culp Hobby (1905-1995) becomes the first woman to serve as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. She is also the first director of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), and the first woman to receive the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal.
War
Cuban Missile Crisis: December 19, Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies.
War
Cold War: U-2 photographic reconnaissance plane is shot down over Soviet territory. Premier Khrushchev denounces U.S. spying missions.
War
U.S. warns North Vietnam and Communist China not to intervene militarily in Laos.
Science
Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to W. Libby (1908-1980) for developing radiocarbon dating.
Science
D. Glaser (1926-) is awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for inventing the bubble chamber.
Technology
Space Race: The world’s first meteorological satellite, Tiros I, is launched to provide pictures of cloud cover.
Technology
Airplanes: The X-15, an experimental rocket powered airplane, is flown at 2196 mph.
Technology
Personal Computers: Digital Equipment introduces the first minicomputer, the PDP-1, selling for $120,000. It is the first commercial computer equipped with a keyboard and monitor.
Technology
Space Race: The U.S. launches Discoverer XIV, its first camera-equipped spy satellite.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Harper Lee (1926- ) publishes "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Kennedy, Jackie
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999), son of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, is born November 25.
Economics
Peace Corps: John F. Kennedy launches the idea of the Peace Corps at the University of Michigan during a campaign stop in his presidential bid. Critics of the program (including Kennedy''s opponent, Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994)) claim the program will be nothing but a haven for draft dodgers. Others doubt whether college-aged volunteers have the necessary skills.
Discovery
Women’s Firsts: Jacqueline Cochran (1906-1980) breaks the sound barrier by flying an F-86 over Rogers Dry Lake, California, at the speed of 652.337 miles per hour.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Ohio Art markets the first Etch-a-Sketch, invented by Arthur Granjean in the late 1950s, and originally called L'Ecran Magique.
Daily Life
Disasters: A United Airlines plane collides with a Trans World Airlines plane in a fog over New York City; the crash kills a total of 134 people on board and on the ground.
Daily Life
Women’s transcontinental air race is won by Mrs. Aileen Saunders. She flies 2709 miles in 18 hours and 7 minutes.
Sports
Black Athletes: Rafer Johnson 91935-…) is named by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to be the recipient of the James E. Sullivan Memorial Award in 1960, the highest award for an amateur athlete in the United States
Popular Culture
Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) releases the suspense thriller, "Psycho."
Popular Culture
The Beatles: Coming together as The Fabulous Silver Beatles, later shortened to The Beatles, the name of the band is a tribute to Buddy Holly's (1936-1959) band, The Crickets, combined with beat music, a common British term for rock and roll at the time.
Popular Culture
Chubby Checker (1941-) causes an international dance craze when he records "The Twist."
Popular Culture
Popular musicals include "The Fantasticks," "Bye, Bye Birdie," and "Camelot."
Religion
Three women are ordained as priests in the Swedish Lutheran Church.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Four black college students begin a series of sit-ins at a white-only lunch counter in Woolworth’s, Greensboro, South Carolina.
Reform
Peace Corps: John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) first announces his idea for a volunteer organization during the 1960 presidential campaign at a late-night speech at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on October 14.
1961
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution, enabling residents of the District of Columbia to vote for President and Vice President in national elections, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Government
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) is inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States, and Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) is inaugurated as the nation's 37th Vice President.
Government
Space Race: President Kennedy (1917-1963) addresses Congress, challenging the nation to go to the moon before the end of the decade.
Government
Peace Corps: President Kennedy (1917-1963) signs an Executive Order which officially starts the Peace Corps, and names Sargent Shriver (1915-) to be the program's first director. Concerned with the growing tide of revolutionary sentiment in the Third World, Kennedy saw the Peace Corps as a means of countering the notions of the "Ugly American" and "Yankee imperialism," especially in the emerging nations of postcolonial Africa and Asia.
War
Cuban Missile Crisis: Fifteen hundred Cuban exiles unsuccessfully attempt to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs; U.S. support for the attack is equally unsuccessful; President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) accepts sole responsibility for the Bay of Pigs failure.
Science
The Institute for Space Studies holds a two-month seminar on the origin of the solar system.
Medicine
The Chicago Heart Association begins recording children’s heart sounds as a means of detecting defects.
Technology
Space Race: Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin becomes the first human in space and also the first human to orbit the earth in a spacecraft; later in the year, Gherman Titov spends a day in space aboard Vostok 2.
Technology
Transit 4A, a communications satellite, is the first spacecraft to use nuclear power.
Arts and Letters
Literature: "Tropic of Cancer" and "Tropic of Capricorn," two novels by Henry Miller (1891-1980), are published in the U.S. after a 30- year ban for obscenity.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Bread and Puppet Theatre is created; the form is expressionistic and propagandistic. It uses puppets and masked actors who ritually offer bread to the audience.
Ideas
Murray Gell-Mann (1929- ) develops the Eight-Fold Way, a method of grouping subatomic particles into families.
Economics
Peace Corps: President Kennedy (1917-1963) establishes the Peace Corps to give trained manpower and technical assistance to underdeveloped countries.
Discovery
Space Race: Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space; Gus Grissom is launched in a sub-orbital flight.
Daily Life
France and England connect their electrical grids with a cable submerged in the English Channel.
Daily Life
President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) holds the first presidential news conference carried live on radio and television.
Daily Life
Disasters: A fire in Bel Air-Brentwood destroys 447 homes, including some owned by well-known Hollywood figures.
Sports
Baseball: Roger Maris (1934-1985) of the New York Yankees hits his 60th home run and sets the record for a 162-game schedule.
Sports
Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) is the first African-American woman to receive the Sullivan Award (1961), the highest award in U.S. amateur sports.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: Brian Epstein (1934-1967) agrees to become the band's full-time manager.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles play their first gig at Liverpool's Cavern Club, return to Hamburg, record backing for the singer Tony Sheridan; the single, "My Bonnie", was released in Germany, and credited to Tony Sheridan and the Beat Boys. It was the Beatles' first commercial release.
Popular Culture
Pete Seeger (1919- ) composes “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.”
Religion
The American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merge to form the Unitarian Universalists
Social Issues
Immigration: The Cuban Refugee Program handles influx of immigrants to Miami with 300,000 immigrants relocated across the U.S. during the next two decades.
Social Issues
Native Americans: Over 500 Native Americans gather for the American Indian Chicago Conference to support tribal sovereignty and survival.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: This year marks the beginning of the Freedom Rides, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s only visit to Seattle where he spoke at two assemblies at Garfield High School.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: In Hoyt v. Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds rules adopted by the state of Florida that made it far less likely for women than men to be called for jury service on the grounds that a “woman is still regarded as the center of home and family life.”
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1962
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, banning poll taxes, is passed by Congress.
Law
Education: The Supreme Court rules that public schools cannot require the recitation of prayers because it violates the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Government
Stamps: The first U.S. Christmas stamp is issued.
Government
The Trade Expansion Act gives the President the right to reduce tariffs and to assist companies hurt by lower duties.
War
Cold War: The Soviet Union exchanges captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers (1929-1977) for Rudolph Abel, a Soviet spy held by the United States.
War
Vietnam War: U.S. troops on a training mission in Vietnam are ordered to fire if fired upon by enemy troops. A new military command, known as the Military Assistance Command (MAC) is set up in South Vietnam.
War
Cuban Missile Crisis: In a face-to-face standoff with Cuba over Russian missils on the island 90 miles from the continental United States, President Kennedy and Nikita Krushchev bring the world to the brink of war, the Kremlin ultimately agrees to remove the missiles.
Science
Marshall Nirenberg (1927- ) discovers the genetic code (DNA structure) for amino acid.
Science
Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997) publishes "The Living Sea," a work about underwater life.
Medicine
Vaccines: First Oral Polio Vaccine is used.
Medicine
Cadrioversion, the use of electric shock to restore a regular heartbeat, is introduced.
Technology
Space Race: John Glenn (1921- ) becomes the first American to orbit the Earth three times; Scott Carpenter repleats that feat; Walter Schirra orbits six times. Mariner 2 flies past Venus, and NASA selects its second group of astronauts.
Technology
Space Race: The Soviets launch two manned spacecrafts: Vostok 3 and Vostok 4.
Ideas
Jessica Mitford (1917-1996) publishes the controversial book "The American Way of Death;" it creates a great deal of interest in low cost yet very dignified burials.
Daily Life
The World’s Fair, Century 21 Exposition, opens in Seattle. The 600-ft Space Needle with a revolving restaurant on top is a popular attraction.
Daily Life
British weather reports give temperatures in Celsius as well as Fahrenheit.
Daily Life
History of Toys: Crayola: The Company renames the flesh crayon "peach" to recognize that not everyone’s skin color is the same.
Sports
Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) becomes the first African American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sports
Basketball: Philadelphia basketball star Wilt Chamberlain (1936-1999) scores an NBA-record 100 points in a single game.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: Brian Epstein arranges for the Beatles to audition for Decca Records, which rejects the band on the grounds that guitar music is "on the way out"; they are later signed by EMI.
Religion
Pope John XXIII (1881-1963) excommunicates Fidel Castro (1926).
Religion
The Vatican Council II opens in Rome, called by Pope John XXIII (in 1959) to promote Christian unity.
Reform
American Protest Music: “The Death of Emmett Till” is composed by Bob Dylan (1941-) during the Civil Rights Movement.
1963
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
In "Gideon v. Wainwright," the Supreme Court holds that public defenders must be provided for indigent defendants in felony cases.
Government
George Wallace (1919-1998), sworn in as Alabama’s governor, promises “segregation forever.”
Government
Stamps: The Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code -- a five digit number -- began on July 1, 1963. The first number designates the state or area; the next two numbers, the area within that state or area; and the last two digits, the office itself.
Government
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) is inaugurated as the nation's 36th President upon the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). No new Vice President is selected.
War
The U.S. and the U.S.S.R. agree to set up a “hot-line,” a direct telephone link between Washington and Moscow, to prevent the start of nuclear war by accident.
Medicine
Dr. Michael E. DeBakey (1908-2008) develops a mechanical heart that is implanted in the chest to help the patient’s own heart pump.
Medicine
Vaccines: John F. Enders (1897-1985), T. H Weller (1915-2005), and Frederick C. Robbins (1916-2003) develop an effective measles vaccine.
Inventions
Computers: Douglas Engelbart (1925- ) invents the mouse pointing device for computers.
Technology
Polaroid introduces color film.
Technology
Color TV is relayed via satellite for the first time.
Education
An education report in Britain indicates that children should not be allowed to leave school before age 16.
Education
Libraries: Detroit Public Library issues skates to library student assistants so they can move quickly in the 230-foot-long stacks.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Free Southern Theatre is formed with the intention of raisin cultural awareness of blacks through white tradition.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Susan Sontag (1933- ) publishes "The Benefactor," a novel about people who are unable to distinguish reality from fantasy.
Arts and Letters
Soviet authorities begin a campaign to suppress “artistic rebels.”
Kennedy, Jackie
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy (1963), son of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, is born prematurely on August 7 at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts and dies August 9 of the same year in Boston because his lungs were too undeveloped to sustain him.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay, is closed.
Daily Life
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) posthumously becomes the first honorary U.S. citizen.
Popular Culture
The first discotheque, the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, opens in Los Angeles.
Popular Culture
"General Hospital," the daytime soap opera, airs on ABC for the first time.
Popular Culture
"Cleopatra," the most expensive motion picture to date ($37 million), opens in New York City and in theatres nationwide.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: Beatlemania as a chaotic cultural phenomenon begins in Britain on October 13, 1963 with a televised appearance at the London Palladium.
Religion
The Catholic Church approves the use of vernacular languages- English in the U.S. - in place of Latin for parts of the Mass and for sacraments.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Civil rights demonstrations occur throughout the country. Medgar W. Evers (1925-1963), Field Secretary for the NAACP, is shot an killed in Jackson, Mississippi.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: The Equal Pay Act is passed by Congress, promising equitable wages for the same work, regardless of the race, color, religion, national origin or sex of the worker.
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1964
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The 24th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting poll taxes, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Politics
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) is elected President of the U.S. in his own right, and Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978) is elected the 38th Vice President.
Government
Stamps: The United States starts printing stamps of different designs on one sheet known as se-tenants. The Christmas issue of 1964 was the first year different designs were printed on the same pane of stamps.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Margaret Chase Smith (1897-1995), of Maine, becomes the first woman nominated for president of the United States by a major political party, at the Republican National Convention in San Francisco.
Government
Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ensures voting rights and prohibits housing discrimination.
Government
Lyndon Johnson (1908-1973) announces his war on poverty.
Science
The U.S. Navy begins its Sealab experimental program to determine if people can live and work for extended periods of time at the bottom of the ocean.
Science
British scientists leave England in large numbers for the U.S. - the “Brain Drain.”
Medicine
The first government report regarding the dangers of cigarette smoking is issued by Luther Terry (1911-1985), the U.S. Surgeon General.
Medicine
Vaccines: First vaccine for Measles is used.
Inventions
Bullet train transportation is invented.
Technology
Personal Computers: At Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire, the BASIC programming language runs for the first time. Developed by professors John Kemeny (1926-1992) and Thomas Kurtz (1928 -), BASIC is an acronym for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
Education
Libraries: Twenty-five Freedom Libraries are established throughout Mississippi by a group of librarian volunteers in the civil rights movement.
Education
Public Education: Civil Rights Movement: In response to protests, and the often violent reaction to them, Congress passed several pieces of legislation seeking to end racial discrimination. These included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Bilingual Education Act.
Education
Public Education: Despite a number of Supreme Court cases and national legislation, less than 1 percent of all black children in the south went to a desegregated school.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Black Arts Repertoire Theatre School is formed.
Arts and Letters
Architecture: Edward Durell Stone (1902-1978) designs the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. D.C.
Ideas
Walter R. Hess (1881-1973) publishes "The Biology of the Mind."
Economics
Ford introduces its Mustang at the New York World''s Fair.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Jack Ruby (1911-1967) is found guilty of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963), alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963).
Daily Life
Disasters: The most violent earthquake (8.3) in North America strikes Anchorage, Alaska.
Sports
Boxing: Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) (1942- ) becomes world heavyweight boxing champion for the first time by knocking out Sonny Liston (1932-1971) in Miami Beach.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles arrive in the U.S. for the first time, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show; they also release their first album, "Meet the Beatles."
Popular Culture
The Rolling Stones release their first album.
Popular Culture
"Mary Poppins," a film starring Dick van Dyke (1925- ) and Julie Andrews (1935- ) becomes the most successful Disney film to date.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act passes including a prohibition against employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.
1965
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, establishing Presidential succession, is passed by Congress.
Government
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) is inaugurated President of the U.S. in his own right, and Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978) is inaugurated as the 38th Vice President.
Government
Capital Punishment: The death penalty is abolished in Britain.
Government
Immigration: The Immigration Act of 1965 abolishes quota system in favor of quota systems with 20,000 immigrants per country limits. Preference is given to immediate families of immigrants and skilled workers.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927—2002), of Hawaii, is the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress. She served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 24 years.
Government
The Maple Leaf Flag officially becomes the new national flag of Canada.
Science
Nobel Prize for Chemistry goes to R. Woodard for developing methods of synthesizing organic substances.
Medicine
Frank Pantridge (1916- 2004) installs the first portable defibrillator.
Technology
Space Race: Soviet cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov becomes the first man to walk in space.
Education
Public Education: The U.S. spends more than $26.2 billion for public school education: $654 per student.
Arts and Letters
Poetry: "Ariel," a collection of poems by Sylvia Plath (1932-1963), is published posthumously by her husband, English poet, Ted Hughes (1930-1998).
Arts and Letters
Drama: Neil Simon (1927- ) writes the play "The Odd Couple."
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The El Teatro Campesino is established by Luis Valdez for National Farm Workers Association; the purpose of the organization is to perform dramatizations that can educate farm laborers in California.
Arts and Letters
The National Endowment of the Arts is established and begins a period of development of federal public support for major regional arts institutions.
Discovery
Sandage (1926- ) discovers blue galaxies. They are similar to quasars, but do not give off radio waves.
Discovery
Space Exploration: France becomes the third country with space exploration capabilities when they launch their satellite A-1.
Daily Life
There are more than 5 million color television sets in the U.S.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Stanley Weston creates a doll for boys--G.I. Joe--based on a new television show called "The Lieutenant."
Sports
Women in Sports: Golf: The Women''s Golf Open is televised nationally for the first time.
Popular Culture
The popular game show "Jeopardy" debuts on television.
Popular Culture
Sonny Bono (1935-1998) and his wife Cher (1946- ) achieve fame with their song “I Got You, Babe.”
Popular Culture
The Beatles: Queen Elizabeth II (1926- ) awards each of the four Beatles Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles start their second North American tour at Shea Stadium, which is the first rock concert to be held in a venue of that size.
Social Issues
Immigration: “Freedom flight” airlifts begin for Cuban refugees assisting more than 260,000 people over the next eight years.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Weeks v. Southern Bell, 408 F. 2d. 228 (5th Cir. 1969), marks a major triumph in the fight against restrictive labor laws and company regulations on the hours and conditions of women's work, opening many previously male-only jobs to women.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Peaceful civil rights marchers from Selma, Alabama, and brutally attacked with billy clubs and tear gas by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge; the event becomes known as “Bloody Sunday.”
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) again leads the start of a civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama; on March 25, the 25,000-person march ends its journey on the steps of the State Capitol in Montgomery.
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1966
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Civil Rights Movement: The Supreme Court upholds the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Politics
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (1952- …), of Florida, becomes the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress. She serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Government
Immigration: The Cuban Refugee Act permits more than 400,000 people to enter the United States.
Government
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) is elected prime minister of India.
Government
The Cabinet-level Department of Transportation is established.
War
Vietnam War: The U.S. increases its military strength in Vietnam and its bombing of the North.
Science
President Johnson’s (1908-1973) Science Advisory Committee publishes "Effective Use of the Sea."
Inventions
The History of Toys: Elliot Handler, one of the co-founders of Mattel, Inc., invents Hot Wheels when he decides to add axles and rotating wheels to small model cars.
Technology
Personal Computers: Steven Gray founds the Amateur Computer Society, and begins publishing the ACS Newsletter. (Some consider this to be the birth-date of personal computing).
Technology
Space Race: Neil Armstrong (1930- ) and David Scott (1932- ), astronauts on board Gemini 8, rendezvous and dock with an unmanned target vehicle.
Technology
Space Race: Survivor I achieves a soft landing on the Moon and sends back 11,237 photographs.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Elia Kazan (1909-2003) writes the play, "The Arrangement."
Ideas
Francis Crick (1916-2004) publishes "Of Molecules and Men."
Economics
Railroad History: The Interstate Commerce Commission approves the merger of the New York Central and the Pennsylvania railroads.
Economics
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act sets the standard for all American automobiles built after 1968.
Daily Life
The Uniform Time Act establishes that daylight savings time is to be observed throughout the country from the last Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October.
Daily Life
The Salvation Army celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Daily Life
Congress enacts the truth and packaging law, which requires that clear and correct statements about the ingredients in about 8000 drug, cosmetic, and food products are printed for the consumer.
Daily Life
Fashion: Miniskirts come into fashion.
Sports
Soccer: England defeats West Germany to win the World Cup in soccer.
Sports
Baseball: Astroturf, the first artificial sports surface, is installed in the Houston Astrodome.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: On July 2, 1966, The Beatles became the first musical group to perform at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo. The performance ignited a lot of protest from local citizens who felt that it was inappropriate for a rock-and-roll band to play at Budokan.
Popular Culture
"Batman" debuts on television.
Popular Culture
Tolkien’s "The Lord of the Rings" enjoys cultish popularity in the U.S.
Social Issues
Hate Groups: Ku Klux Klan makes attacks against blacks and civil rights workers in the South.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Race riots occur in slum areas of Chicago, Cleveland, and other cities. Congress authorizes funds to assist rebuilding programs.
1967
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, establishing presidential succession, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Law
Appointed by President Lyndon Johnson 1905-1973), Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) becomes the first African American to sit on the Supreme Court.
Government
The first African-American senator elected by popular vote, Edward Brooke (1919- ) of Massachusetts, takes his seat.
Government
Peace Corps: Until about 1967, applicants to the Peace Corps had to pass a placement test that tested "general aptitude" (knowledge of various skills needed for various Peace Corps assignments) and language aptitude.
Science
Kornberg (1918- ) synthesizes biologically active DNA.
Medicine
Electroencephalographs (EEG) are teamed with computers to test the hearing of infants.
Medicine
10 million children are vaccinated against measles.
Medicine
Aspirin is found to be a possible cause of ulcers.
Medicine
High blood cholesterol is determined to be a factor in heart disease.
Technology
Space Race: A fire on the launching pad kills astronauts Grissom (1926-1967), White (1930-1967), and Chaffee (1935-1967), and destroys the Apollo 1 spacecraft during a simulated launch at Cape Canaveral.
Technology
3-D holographic movies are developed, and computers are used to create music electronically.
Education
Evolution: Tennessee formally repeals the 1925 law banning the teaching of evolution made famous in the Scopes Trial
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The New Lafayette Company is formed.
Johnson, Lady Bird
White House Wedding: Lynda Bird Johnson (1944-), daughter of Lady Bird (1912 -) and Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973), marries Charles S. Robb (1939 -) in the White House.
Carter, Rosalynn
Amy Carter Wentzel (1967- ), daughter of James “Jimmy” and Rosalynn Carter, is born October 19.
Economics
The establishment of Ford of Europe takes place.
Economics
Women’s Firsts: Muriel "Mickey" Siebert (1932- …) becomes the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and the first woman to head one of its member firms.
Daily Life
Disasters: An oil tanker, the Torrey Canyon, is wrecked off the coast of Cornwall in England, spilling 919,000 barrels of oil into the sea.
Sports
Football: The first Super Bowl is played: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10.
Sports
Baseball: Mickey Mantle (1931-1995) of the New York Yankees hits his 500th career homerun.
Sports
Women’s Firsts: Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Althea Gibson (1927-2003) is the first African-American tennis player to win a singles title at Wimbledon.
Popular Culture
Ira Levin (1929-2007) publishes "Rosemary’s Baby."
Popular Culture
The Beatles: On June 25, 1967 The Beatles performed "All You Need Is Love" for the Our World television special. It was the first television special to air worldwide. Singing backup for the Beatles were a number of artists including Eric Clapton (1945- ), and members of the Rolling Stones and The Who.
Popular Culture
Twiggy (1949- ), a British model, takes world fashion by storm.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Riots occur in black areas of Cleveland, Detroit, Newark, Boston, New Haven, and other cities.
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1968
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994), a Republican, narrowly defeats Democrat Hubert Humphrey (1911-1978) to become the 37th President of the United States; Spiro T. Agnew (1918-1996) is elected as the nation's 39th Vice President.
Government
Native Americans: Title II of the Civil Rights Act gives full civil rights to individuals living under tribal law.
Government
Civil Rights Movement: President Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) signs the 1968 Civil Rights Law.
War
North Korea seizes the U.S. Navy ship Pueblo (the crew is released 11 months later).
War
Vietnam War: Viet Cong guerillas and North Vietnamese soldiers launch the Tet (New York) offensive.
War
Vietnam War: The My Lai massacre occurs in Vietnam.
Science
Geneticists reveal that some male criminals have an extra Y chromosome.
Science
James Watson (1928- ) publishes "The Double Helix," describing the DNA molecule.
Science
The discovery of a pulsar is announced.
Medicine
Surgeons experiment with animal hearts for transplants to human beings.
Medicine
Vaccines: The mumps vaccine, developed in 1966, is improved for human use.
Inventions
Computers: Hewlett-Packard introduces the first programmable scientific desktop calculator, called "the new Hewlett-Packard 911A personal computer". (This is claimed as coining the term "personal computer").
Inventions
Computers: Dr. Robert Dennard, of the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center patents a one-transistor DRAM cell and the basic idea in the three-transistor cell, which will become the standard short-term storage medium for programs and data during processing (RAM).
Technology
Space Race: Surveyor 7, the last of America’s unmanned lunar probes, lands on the moon.
Education
Higher Education: Student unrest because of the Vietnam War and other social causes creates wide confusion and changes in university life.
Education
Public Education: African American Education: African American parents and white teachers clash in the Ocean Hill-Brownsville area of New York City, over the issue of community control of the schools. Teachers go on strike, and the community organizes freedom schools while the public schools are closed.
Arts and Letters
American Theatre: The Negro Ensemble Company is formed.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Kurt Vonnegut (1922- ) publishes "Welcome to the Monkey House."
Discovery
The skull of a 28 million year old ape is discovered in Egypt.
Daily Life
The nation’s first 911-phone system goes into service in Haleyville, Alabama.
Daily Life
London Bridge is sold to an American, who rebuilds it in Arizona.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Violent crimes have increased 57% since 1960.
Sports
Hugh Porter of Britain wins the world cycling championship in Rome.
Sports
Black Athletes: The first black male champion in tennis tournament is Arthur Ashe (1943-1993) who won the 1968 U.S. Open, the 1970 Australian Open, and the 1975 Wimbledon championship.
Popular Culture
The classification of movies by “G,” “PG,” “PG-13,” and “R” begins.
Popular Culture
Mike Nichols (1931- ) directs the film "The Graduate," starring Dustin Hoffman (1937- ) and Anne Bancroft (1931-2005).
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles release a full-length musical cartoon, "Yellow Submarine."
Popular Culture
Disney’s Mickey Mouse celebrates his 40th birthday.
Religion
The foundation of the Temple of Herod is found in Israel.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Executive Order 11246 prohibits sex discriminationby government contractors and requires affirmative action plans for hiring women.
1969
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: President Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) nominates Warren E. Burger (1907-1995) as Chief Justice of the United States; he is confirmed by the Senate two weeks later and serves in that position for seventeen years until his retirement in 1986.
Politics
Large antiwar demonstrations take place, including Vietnam Moratorium Days in Washington, D.C.
Politics
Vice President Agnew (1918-1996) accuses network television and the press of biased news coverage.
Government
The Palestine National Congress appoints Yasser Arafat (1929-2004) as head of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Government
Women's Firsts: Golda Meir (1898-1978) is sworn in as Israel’s first female prime minister.
Government
Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994), is inaugurated as the 37th President of the U.S.. amd Spiro T. Agnew (1918-1996) is inaugurated as the nation's 39th Vice President.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005), of New York, becomes the first African-American woman in Congress. Her motto is, "Unbought and unbossed." She serves in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years.
War
Vietnam War: President Johnson (1908-1973) announces proposed withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam.
Science
A fossil skull found in Antarctica proves “without question” the theory of continental drift.
Science
The fourth or “D” ring of Saturn is discovered.
Science
The National Audubon Society begins a national campaign to ban DDT because the chemical is killing bald eagles.
Science
Ribonuclease is the first enzyme to be synthesized.
Technology
Space Race: The first manned mission (Apollo) to the Moon takes place.
Technology
Neil Armstrong (1930- ) is the first man to walk on the Moon, thus "winning" the space race for the U.S.
Education
Libraries: The Cooperative College Library Center, the first consortium of black academic libraries, opens in Atlanta.
Education
Higher Education: Education of Women: Several traditionally all-male colleges, including Yale, Bowdoin, and Colgate, admit women students.
Arts and Letters
Painting: Rembrandt’s (1606-1669) “Self Portrait” sells for $1,256,000 at Christie’s in London.
Arts and Letters
Dance: Arthur Mitchell (1934- ) establishes the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Ideas
Arthur Jensen (1923- ) stirs widespread debate by his published claim that blacks are genetically less intelligent than whites.
Hoover, Lou
Herbert Hoover Jr. (1903-1969), son of Herbert and Lou Hoover, dies April 9 from cancer.
Economics
The United States attorney general charges IBM with unlawful monopolization of the computer industry, and requests the federal courts break it up.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Sirhan Sirhan (1944- ) is convicted for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy.
Daily Life
Approximately 225 million telephones are in use throughout the world.
Daily Life
The U.S. government removes cyclamates (artificial sweeteners) from the market; laboratory experiments link these food additives with cancer.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Parker Brothers markets the first Nerf ball, a polyurethane foam ball that is safe for indoor play. By year's end, more than four million Nerf balls are sold.
Daily Life
Fashion: Pants suits become acceptable for everyday wear by women.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles begin recording their final album, entitled "Abbey Road," returning to the EMI studios in West London and the production team led by George Martin (1926- ). It proves to be a relatively smooth and peaceful production and a highly acclaimed album. Lennon announces to the other Beatles that he will be leaving the band just before that album's release but is persuaded to remain quiet in public.
Popular Culture
Katherine Hepburn (1907-2003) and Barbara Streisand (1942- ) share the Best Actress Oscar; Hepburn breaks the record as the only actress winning three such awards.
Popular Culture
The Rolling Stones release an album and a movie, both entitled Gimme Shelter.
Reform
American Protest Music: “One Tin Soldier” is written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter during the Vietnam War.
Reform
American Protest Music: “Blowing in the Wind” is written by Bob Dylan (1941- ) during the Vietnam War.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: California adopts the nation’s first “no fault” divorce law, allowing divorce by mutual consent.
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1970
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
The Postal Service, an independent agency, replaces the Post Office Department.
Government
Railroad History: Congress passes the Rail Passenger Service Act creating Amtrak, which today serves more than 20 million customers annually on its national network of intercity trains and employs 23,000 people.
Government
The National Air Quality Control Act calls for a 90% reduction in automobile pollution.
Science
Lysosomes, structures in the human cell, are synthesized.
Medicine
After great success as an experimental treatment for Parkinson’s disease, L-dopa is approved as a prescription drug.
Medicine
Heart pacemakers powered by nuclear energy are used for the first time in France; the device is estimated to work 10 years before needing to be refueled.
Medicine
Vaccines: First vaccine for Rubella (German measles) is used.
Inventions
Computers: Bell Labs develops Unix. (Unix will become the dominant operating system of high end microcomputers, or workstations).
Inventions
Transportation: The first jumbo jet is invented.
Inventions
Bell Telephone invents the Picturephone.
Technology
Japan becomes the fourth country to put a satellite into orbit.
Technology
GE synthesizes a gem-quality diamond.
Education
Reports show that “Sesame Street,” a nationwide TV program, helps to improve skills of preschool children.
Education
Higher Education: The University of California charges tuition for the first time in the school’s 102-year history.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: The struggle for an end to racial discrimination continues. Nationally, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools in North Carolina were ordered to desegregate under a court ordered mandatory busing plan.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: Seattle becomes the largest city to voluntarily enter into a mandatory busing program. The Seattle School District continues mandatory busing until 1996.
Arts and Letters
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918- ) wins the Nobel Prize for literature.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Hemingway’s (1899-1961) "Island in the Stream" is published posthumously.
Discovery
Space Exploration: When an oxygen tank bursts on the way to the moon, Apollo 13 astronauts make the famous announcement, “Houston, we’ve got a problem.”
Discovery
Israeli archeologists uncover the first evidence of the destruction of Jerusalem by Roman troops in A.D. 70.
Daily Life
20 million Americans take part in activities and demonstrations against pollution to celebrate Earth Day.
Daily Life
Hospital care costs reach an average of $81 per day.
Sports
Women in Sports: Just 294,000 American high school girls take part in interscholastic sports.
Popular Culture
Women’s Firsts: Women and Sports: Horse Racing: Diane Crump becomes the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The band officially brakes up.
Popular Culture
“Doonesbury,” a satirical comic strip created by Gary Trudeau (1948-), has its debut in 30 newspapers.
Social Issues
Polution: The National Air Quality Control Act calls for a 90% reduction in automobile pollution.
Reform
Anti-War Movement: The National Guard troops fire on 1000 antiwar protestors at Kent State University in Ohio; 4 students are killed. U.S. withdraws more troops from Vietnam.
Reform
1970's Protest Music: The Coca-Cola Coke Company integrates their original song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”, sung by The Hillside Singers, in their commercial advertisements.
1971
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Education: The Supreme Court upholds the busing of children to integrate public schools where state laws have allowed segregation.
Law
The New York Times publishes classified Pentagon papers about the U.S.’s involvement in Vietnam. The Supreme Court upholds the right of the Times and the Washington Post to publish the papers.
Law
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, lowering the voting age to 18, is passed by Congress, ratified by two-thirds of the states, and added to the Constitution.
Government
Idi Amin (1925-2003) becomes dictator of Uganda.
Government
East Pakistan proclaims its independence, taking the name Bangladesh.
Science
C.H. Li synthesizes a human growth hormone.
Technology
Astronaut Alan B. Shepard (1923-1998) hits three golf balls on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission.
Arts and Letters
Drama: Neil Simon (1927-) writes the play The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Philip Roth (1933- ) publishes the political satire "Our Gang."
Nixon, Pat
White House Wedding: Tricia Nixon (1946 - ), daughter of Patricia (1912-1993) and Richard Nixon (1913-1994) marries Edward F. Cox (1946 -) in the White House.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company establishes its North American Automotive Operations, consolidating U.S., Canadian, and Mexican operations more than two decades ahead of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Discovery
Women''s Firsts: Canadian Fran Phipps becomes the first woman to reach the North Pole.
Discovery
Egyptian scientists discover drawings that date back to 6000 B.C. in caves in Egypt’s western desert.
Discovery
Space Exploration: Mariner 9 orbits Mars and returns 6876 photographs of the planet’s surface.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Charles Manson is found guilty of murdering Sharon Tate and six others in California.
Daily Life
Cigarette advertisements are banned from television.
Sports
Boxing: Joe Frazier (1944- ) defeats Muhammad Ali (1942- ) (Cassius Clay) to win the world heavyweight boxing championship in New York City. It is Ali’s first lost after 31 professional wins.
Sports
Baseball: Henry "Hank" Aaron (1934- ) hits 600th career home run, the 3rd player ever to reach this mark.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Women in Sports: Billie Jean King becomes the first woman athlete to win more than $100,000 in a single season in any sport. She is the only woman to have won US singles titles on grass, clay, carpet and hard court.
Popular Culture
British rock musician Elton John (1947- ) achieves superstar status with his albums, "Tumbleweed Connection" and "Madman Across the Water."
Religion
The “Jesus movement” is a highly publicized part of religion in America.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Ten black activists are convicted of firebombing a Wilmington, Delaware store and draw prison terms of 29-34 years.
Reform
Women''s Suffrage Movement: Women in Switzerland are finally granted suffrage.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Phillips v. Martin Marietta Corporation, 400 U.S. 542 (1971): The U.S. Supreme Court outlaws the practice of private employers refusing to hire women with pre-school children.
Reform
Peace Corps: In July 1971, President Nixon (1913-1994) brought the Peace Corps under the umbrella agency, ACTION. Peace Corps would remain under ACTION until President Jimmy Carter (1924-) declared it fully autonomous in a 1979 executive order. This independent status would be further secured when Congress passed legislation in 1981 to make the organization an independent federal agency.
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1972
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Capital Punishment: The Supreme Court rules that the death penalty as administered in the U.S. is “cruel and unusual punishment” and therefore unconstitutional.
Law
Women's Rights Movement: The "Equal Rights Amendment" or ERA, a proposed Constitutional Amendment prohibiting sex discrimination against women, is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Politics
Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) is re-elected as President of the United States, as is Vice President Spiro Agnew (1918-1996).
Government
President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) becomes the first American president to visit China.
Government
Britain and China resume diplomatic relations after 22 years; Britain withdraws is consulate from Taiwan.
War
The military draft ends and all membership is on a volunteer basis.
Science
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to C. Anfinsen, Stanford Moore, and William Stein for their molecular studies of proteins and enzymes.
Science
12 western European countries agree upon the establishment of a European Molecular Laboratory. The intent of the lab is to study the molecular basis of life.
Medicine
The controversy over whether smoking causes a pregnant woman to have a smaller baby continues.
Inventions
The History of Toys: Magnavox introduces Odyssey, the first video game machine, featuring a primitive form of paddle ball. Other companies soon invested in the video game business and, by 1976, hockey, tennis, and squash were available.
Technology
President Nixon (1913-1994) orders the development of the space shuttle.
Education
Women's Rights Movement: Title IX (Public Law 92-318) of the Education Amendments prohibits sex discrimination in all aspects of education programs that receive federal support.
Education
Women’s Colleges: Women were among the leaders of the struggle for achieving civil rights for minorities, and they compared their situation once more to that of the minority groups. One response to the activism by women was the implementation of virtually universal coeducation in 1972.
Education
Libraries: The Martin Luther King Memorial Library opens in Washington, replacing the old District of Columbia Central Public Library.
Economics
Women’s Firsts: Juanita Kreps (1921- …) becomes the first woman director of the New York Stock Exchange. She later becomes the first woman appointed Secretary of Commerce.
Economics
Personal Computers: The People's Computer Company is founded.
Discovery
Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi (1915-1997) is discovered in Guam, having spent 28 years hiding in the jungle thinking World War II was still going on.
Discovery
Richard Leakey (1944-), British anthropologist, discovers a 2.5 million-year-old human skull in northern Kenya, Africa.
Discovery
Pioneer 10 is launched to explore the asteroid belt and Jupiter.
Daily Life
China gives President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) two giant pandas.
Daily Life
The FDA proposes a ban on the use of antibiotics used to fatten cattle and other animals.
Sports
The U.S. tennis team wins the Davis Cup for the 5th straight year.
Sports
Women in Sports: Women''s Rights Movement: The New York City Court of Appeals upholds a woman’s right to be an umpire in professional baseball.
Sports
Women in Sports: Congress passes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Popular Culture
Ira Levin (1929-2007) publishes "The Stepford Wives."
Religion
Women’s Firsts: Judaism: Sally Jean Priesand (1948- …) is ordained in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the first woman rabbi in the United States.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: In Eisenstadt v. Baird, 405 U.S. 438 (1972), the Supreme Court rules that the right to privacy encompasses an unmarried person's right to use contraceptives.
1973
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Women's Rights Movement: In the "Roe v. Wade" decision, the Supreme Court legalizes abortion.
Government
Conservation: The Endangered Species Act prohibits the federal government from supporting any activities or projects that may be harmful to any endangered species.
Government
Vice President Spiro Agnew (1918-1996) is forced to resign his office on Justice Department charges of corruption in ofice. Under the newly ratified 25th Amendment, Gerald Ford (1913- ) is appointed Vice President.
War
Vietnam War: President Nixon (1913-1994) orders halt to offensive operations in North Vietnam.
War
Vietnam War: The Vietnam War peace accords are signed in Paris.
Science
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology determine the structure of transfer-RNA (tRNA).
Science
The Center for UFO Studies is established in Evanston, Illinois.
Medicine
Monocytes, a type of white blood cells, are proposed as a key to conquering cancer.
Medicine
Marijuana is used as a treatment for glaucoma.
Medicine
Vaccines: Rabies vaccine is developed.
Arts and Letters
Architecture: The 110-story World Trade Center in New York City is completed and briefly becomes the tallest building in the world.
Arts and Letters
George Lucas (1944- ) directs American Graffiti, a film that causes a wave of 1950’s nostalgia.
Arts and Letters
Billy Joel (1949- ) releases the Piano Man album.
Arts and Letters
Stamps: Valentine's Day "Love" stamps are first issued.
Ideas
Personal Computers: At the Lakeside prep school in Washington State, Bill Gates (1955- ) tells a friend "I'm going to make my first million by the time I'm 25.”
Johnson, Lady Bird
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) dies at age 64.
Economics
Congress approves the Alaskan pipeline.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company is fined $7 million for violating the Clean Air Act by improperly servicing 1973 model cars during tests for emission controls.
Discovery
A “cold star” is discovered that has 30,000 times more energy than the Sun. Scientists think that this star is in the early stage of development.
Discovery
Pioneer 11 is launched to fly by Jupiter and Saturn.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: 14 states restore the death penalty.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Dungeons & Dragons is invented by Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax.
Sports
Baseball: Baseball’s American League adopts the “designated hitter” rule, which allows another player to bat for the pitcher.
Sports
Football: The Miami Dolphins become the first NFL team to go undefeated and have a perfect season by beating the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
Popular Culture
George Lucas (1944- ) directs "American Graffiti," a film that causes a wave of 1950’s nostalgia.
Popular Culture
Billy Joel (1949- ) releases the "Piano Man" album.
Religion
Presbyterians form a new church, the National Presbyterian Church.
Religion
Judaism: Conservative Jews allow women in the minyan- 10 or more adult Jews are required for communal worship.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Pittsburgh Press v. Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations, 413 U.S. 376 (1973): The U.S. Supreme Court bans sex-segregated “help wanted” advertising as a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended.
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1974
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
In "United States vs. Nixon," the Supreme Court rules that presidential executive privilege is not unlimited.
Government
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is charged with foreign and domestic abuse of its power.
Government
Stamps: The first U.S. self adhesive stamp is issued.
Government
Scandal: President Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) resigns the Presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal; he is the only President to resign the office; Vice President Gerald R. Ford (1913- )is inaugurated as the nation's 38th President. Nelson A. Rockefeller (1908-1979) becomes the nation's 41st Vice President.
Science
The National Academy of Sciences urges a ban on genetic experiments with bacteria, especially those involving E. coli, a helpful type of bacteria that lives in the intestines.
Medicine
High-energy neutrons, produced in cyclotrons, are used to treat cancer.
Medicine
A government report indicates that moderate drinkers live longer than nondrinkers. It also states that heavy drinkers have higher rates of mouth, throat, and liver cancer.
Medicine
Vinyl chloride, commonly used in making plastics, is shown to cause cancer.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: The Boston school committee rejects a court-ordered busing plan for desegregation.
Education
Women's Rights Movement: The Women’s Educational Equity Act, drafted by Arlene Horowitz and introduced by Representative Patsy Mink (D-HI), funds the development of nonsexist teaching materials and model programs that encourage full educational opportunities for girls and women.
Education
Public Education: In Milliken v. Bradley, a Supreme Court made up of Richard Nixon's appointees rules that schools may not be desegregated across school districts. This effectively legally segregates students of color in inner-city districts from white students in wealthier white suburban districts.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Peter Benchley (1940-) publishes "Jaws," a novel about a huge shark that terrorizes a Long Island Beach resort.
Arts and Letters
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918- ), Nobel Prize winner in literature, is deported from the Soviet Union.
Economics
The U.S. ends all price and wage controls.
Economics
The U.S. is hit by a recession.
Discovery
Large quantities of historical manuscripts, philosophical works, and medical texts more than 2000 year old are discovered in ancient tombs in China.
Sports
Baseball: Hank Aaron (1934- ) hits the 715th home run of his career, breaking Babe Ruth’s record.
Sports
Baseball: Little League Baseball Inc. bars foreign teams from future Little League World Series and accepts female players into the league.
Sports
The U.S. Olympic Committee adopts a bill of rights for athletes.
Sports
Baseball: Black Athletes: Frank Robinson (1935- ), of the Cleveland Indians, is the first black manager in professional baseball.
Sports
Women in Sports: Football: The inaugural season of the first women''s professional football league kicks off with seven US teams.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: A jam session between John Lennon (1940-1980) and Paul McCartney (1942- ) is recorded on March 31, 1974, when McCartney visits Lennon in Los Angeles, California.
Popular Culture
"Happy Days" premiers on television.
Popular Culture
The popular rock groups of the time are Chicago, Steeley Dan, Yes, Jefferson Starship, Santana, The Eagles, and Utopia.
Popular Culture
Mel Brooks produces "Blazing Saddles," a parody of westerns.
Religion
Pope John Paul VI (1912-1978) opens the Holy Year of the Roman Catholic Church, the 25th since 1450 (The first Holy year was proclaimed in 1300).
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Housing discrimination on the basis of sex and credit discrimination against women are outlawed by Congress.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur, 414 U.S. 632 (1974), determines it is illegal to force pregnant women to take maternity leave on the assumption they are incapable of working in their physical condition.
1975
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Native Americans: The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act give Native Americans more control in administering federal programs and services to their people.
Government
Scandal: John Mitchell (1913-1988), H. R. Haldeman (1926-1993), and John Ehrlichman (1925-1999) are convicted of obstruction of justice in the Watergate affair.
War
Civil war begins in Lebanon when gunmen kill 4 Christian Phalangists who retaliate by killing 27 Palestinians.
War
Vietnam War: The Vietnam War ends with South Vietnam’s surrender to North Vietnam.
Medicine
Heart valves in pigs are used to replace defective valves in human hearts.
Medicine
The National Cancer Institute links cancer with pollution.
Technology
Personal Computers: Bill Gates (1955-) and Paul Allen (1953- ) write to MITS, saying they have a BASIC language for the Intel 8080 processor. They propose licensing it for use on the Altair in exchange for royalty payments. (They then spend the next eight weeks writing the software).
Education
Native Americans: Native American Education: The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act gives Native Americans more control in administering federal programs and services to their people.
Ideas
E. O. Wilson publishes "Sociobiology: The New Synthesis," which argues that genes control social behavior patterns.
Roosevelt, Eleanor
Lives of the First Ladies: Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dall Boettiger Halsted (1906-1975), daughter of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, dies December 1 from cancer.
Economics
Insurance companies drop malpractice insurance coverage for doctors because the losses in suits are so high.
Discovery
University of California astronomers discover a new galaxy that is at least 10 times larger than the Milky Way and about 8-million light years away from earth.
Discovery
Paleontologists discover the oldest American fossil- a 620-year-old marine worm.
Discovery
Viking 1 and 2 are both launched and scheduled to land on Mars one year later.
Daily Life
The Metric Conversion Act suggests that a voluntary change be made to the metric system.
Daily Life
The National Association of Broadcasters agrees to assign a two-hour period of time to programs suitable for family viewing.
Sports
Women in Sports: Chris Evert (1954- ) wins $40,000, the highest prize in the history of women’s tennis, on the Virginia Slims Tour.
Sports
Basketball: The European basketball league finishes its first season; Israeli Sabres finishes in first place out of 5 teams.
Sports
Women in Sports: Title IX goes effect on June 21.
Sports
Baseball: An arbitrator’s ruling leads to a modification of the reserve clause and the start of free agency. Baseball salaries begin to skyrocket.
Popular Culture
"The Jeffersons" debuts on television; it is the first sitcom about an African American family.
Popular Culture
The film "Jaws" breaks box office records across the U.S. and causes a nationwide “Jawsmania.”
Popular Culture
The film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo''s Nest" is the first movie since 1934 to win the top four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.
Popular Culture
"A Chorus Line" opens on Broadway.
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1976
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
James Callaghan (1912-2005) succeeds Harold Wilson as the British Prime Minister.
Politics
Jimmy Carter (1924 - ) is elected as the 39th President of the United States and Walter F. Mondale (1928- ) is elected the nation's 42nd Vice President.
Government
The U.S. celebrates the 200th anniversary of its independence. Six million people view the parade of tall ships from 31 countries on the Hudson River.
Government
The U.S. and the U.S.S.R. sign a treaty that limits the size of underground nuclear explosions. Some on-site inspection of compliance is approved for the first time.
Government
U.S. intelligence agencies are charged with unlawful investigation and surveillance of citizens.
Government
The U.S. vetoes the admission of Vietnam to the UN, reasoning that the Hanoi government has failed to account for 800 U.S. servicemen still mission in action.
Science
The chronon is selected as the smallest unit of time.
Science
The 143 members of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) develop methods to standardize weather data.
Medicine
Vaccines: A malaria-causing organism is cultured in the lab-this is the first step in developing a vaccine.
Medicine
Lyme arthritis, a new infectious form of arthritis, is discovered near Lyme, Connecticut. The disease is thought to be spread by virus-carrying insects.
Technology
Personal Computers: The Apple I computer board is sold in kit form, and delivered to stores by Steve Jobs (1955- ) and Steve Wozniak (1950- ); the price is: US$666.66.
Arts and Letters
Women’s Firsts: Sarah Caldwell (1924- …) becomes the first woman to conduct at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.
Arts and Letters
Literature: Kurt Vonnegut (1922- ) publishes "Slapstick."
Economics
Consolidated Railroad Corporation (Conrail), a private government-financed corporation, takes control of the freight service of six bankrupt Northeast railroads.
Economics
Personal Computers: In November, The trademark "Microsoft" is registered.
Discovery
Pioneer 10 travels through Saturn’s rings and heads toward a 1987 examination of Pluto.
Discovery
Viking 1 and Viking 2 land on Mars and begin sending back information about the planet’s surface.
Daily Life
Transportation: A Pan-American airliner completes the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight (8,088 miles in over 13 hours of travel).
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Nolan Bushnell sells his video game company, Atari, to Warner Brothers. Atari''s popular Pong and Super Pong video tennis games soon gave way to a home video cartridge system that ran full-color games, from baseball to Pacman.
Popular Culture
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996), humorist, publishes 'Life is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank."
Popular Culture
Women's Firsts: Barbara Walters (1929- ) becomes the first female network television news anchor.
Popular Culture
Barbara Walters (1929- ) becomes the first female network television news anchor.
Popular Culture
Stevie Wonder (1950- ) releases the immensely popular album, "Songs in the Key of Life."
Popular Culture
"Rocky," a film starring Sylvester Stallone (1946- ), wins the Oscar for Best Picture.
Religion
6 women in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada are ordained as priests in the Anglican Church.
Reform
Women win 13 of 32 Rhodes Scholarships awarded to Americans; this is the first time since the scholarships were made in 1902 that women are eligible recipients.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: General Elec. Co v. Gilbert, 429 U. S. 125 (1976), the Supreme Court upholds women’s right to unemployment benefits during the last three months of pregnancy.
1977
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
President Carter (1924- ) makes “human rights” a part of U.S. foreign policy.
Government
Jimmy Carter (1924 - ) is inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States and Walter F. Mondale (1928- ) is inaugurated as the nation's 42nd Vice President.
Government
The Justice Department investigates alleged illegal bribery by South Korean officials to influence members of Congress.
Government
President Carter (1924- ) pardons most Vietnam War and draft evaders.
Government
Congress creates a new cabinet-level Department of Engineering.
Science
Methanogens are identified as a totally separate and previously unknown form of life that existed about 3.5 million years ago.
Medicine
After extensive hearings, the FDA declares that laetrile is not a vitamin and is of no value in treating cancer.
Medicine
The FDA claims that saccharin may cause cancer.
Inventions
Computers: Bally completes designs of a home computer.
Technology
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are launched on a journey that will bring them near Jupiter and Saturn in 1979 and 1980.
Economics
High oil consumption in the U.S. makes energy conservation necessary (energy crisis).
Economics
Personal Computers: The first Computer Shack franchise is opened in Morristown, New Jersey. 112 people visit in the first day.
Discovery
Astronomers aboard NASA’s Airborne Observatory discover rings around Uranus.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Gary Gilmore (?-1977) becomes the first person executed in the U.S. since the death penalty was reintroduced.
Daily Life
Disasters: The greatest aviation disaster in history kills 542 people when two planes collide on a runway in the Canary Islands.
Daily Life
Travel bans on U.S. citizens to Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, and North Korea are lifted.
Daily Life
Personal Computers: Total shipments of personal computers worldwide during the year total 48,000.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Kenner Toys introduces a line of Star Wars action figures, capitalizing on the popularity of George Lucas''s blockbuster film. They dominate the action figure market.
Sports
Baseball: The St. Louis outfielder Lou Brock (1939- ) sets the new base-stealing record of 893.
Popular Culture
The film "Saturday Night Fever" helps popularize disco dance music.
Popular Culture
George Lucas (1944- ) directs "Star Wars," a film that signals the beginning of a new, more polished science-fiction genre of films.
Religion
John Neumann (1903-1957) is made a saint in the Roman Catholic Church; he is the first American male to be selected.
Religion
Americans explore forms of spiritualism: 6 million are active in transcendental meditation; 5 million practice yoga; 3 million follow the charismatic movement; 3 million involved in mysticism; and 2 million in Eastern religions.
Religion
The Roman Catholic Church prohibits ordination of women as priests.
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1978
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Stamps: A new 15-cent stamp goes into use after its approval by the Postal Rate Commission.
Government
Congress extends ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to 1982.
Government
The U.S. and Communist China establish full diplomatic relations.
Government
President Carter (1924- ) invokes the Taft-Harley Act to end the coal strike.
Government
Electrification: Congress passes the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), which spurs the growth of nonutility unregulated power generation.
Science
The Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton University conducts controlled fusion experiments.
Science
Chromosomes are discovered in parts of the cell other than the nucleus.
Medicine
Vitamin C is proposed as a cancer-fighting drug.
Medicine
The AMA concludes a 14-year study that shows that cigarette smoking causes heart disease and may cause cancer.
Technology
Texas Instruments introduces magnetic bubble memories for computers.
Education
Higher Education: Civil Rights Movement: In Regents of California v. Bakke, the Supreme Court considered whether affirmative action programs violated the Equal Protection Clause. Without a clear majority, the Court held that it was permissible to use race as a factor in school admissions, but that the rigid racial quotas used by the University did violate the 14th Amendment.
Education
Public Education: Education of Women: The federal judge in Ohio rules that high school girls should not be prevented from participating with boys on the same sports teams.
Education
Public Education: The so-called "taxpayers' revolt" leads to the passage of Proposition 13 in California, and copy-cat measures like Proposition 2-1/2 in Massachusetts. These propositions freeze property taxes, which are a major source of funding for public schools. As a result, in twenty years California drops from first in the nation in per-student spending in 1978 to number 43 in 1998.
Education
Native Americans: Native American Education: Higher Education: The federal Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act provides the
Education
basis for a system of higher education on or near Indian reservations, which allows young people to go to college without leaving their families.
Arts and Letters
Literature: John Irving (1942-) publishes "The World According to Garp."
Economics
The Ford Motor Company celebrates its 75th anniversary. Celebrations were very much in order, and they took place at World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan as well as at locations throughout the world.
Discovery
James Cristy, discovers Charon, a moon of Pluto.
Daily Life
Education: The Federal Communication Commission studies children’s television to see if the TV industry is showing a reasonable amount of children’s shows, including educational programming.
Daily Life
Crayola: The first box of Crayola markers is introduced in 8 bright, bold colors.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Lillian Greene-Chamberlain, the first African-American woman distance runner in international events is named as the first woman to be director for Physical Education and Sport Programs for UNESCO.
Popular Culture
Dolly Parton (1946- ) wins the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award for the song “Here You Come Again.”
Popular Culture
"Star Wars" is all-time leader in worldwide film rentals; it takes in $202 million and passes revenue records previously set by "Jaws."
Social Issues
Stem-Cell Research: Widespread controversy surrounds claims that a human being has been cloned.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against pregnant women.
1979
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1900-1989) returns to Tehran after 15 years of exile; Iran is proclaimed an Islamic Republic.
Government
Dictator Idi Amin (1928-2003)of Uganda is overthrown.
War
Vietnamese forces capture the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, overthrowing Pol Pot’s (1928- ) Khmer Rouge government.
War
Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1928-1979) is executed by the military.
War
President Sadat (1918-1981) of Egypt and Prime Minister Begin (1913-1982 ) of Israel sign a peace treaty at the White House, ending 30 years of war.
Science
MIT researchers discover that DNE molecules spiral to the left, not to the right as was previously believed.
Medicine
Doctors in Maryland use a metal cylinder to replace a section of a woman’s spine removed earlier because of cancer.
Education
The new Cabinet-level Department of Education is established.
Economics
Congress approves a $1.5 billion federal loan guarantee plan for the Chrysler Corporation; this is the largest government bailout of a U.S. company.
Economics
The Department of Energy sues nine large U.S. oil companies for allegedly over-charging customers nearly $1billion since 1973.
Discovery
A black hole is discovered in the center of the Milky Way.
Daily Life
Disasters: A nuclear power accident occurs at Three-Mile Island, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Daily Life
Because of a major shortage, gasoline sales on odd-even days are instituted in many states.
Popular Culture
Elton John (1947- ) is the first rock star from the West to tour the U.S.S.R.
Religion
Pope John Paul II (1920- ) visits Poland; this is the first time a pope has visited a Communist country.
Religion
Mother Teresa (1910-1997), of India, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work among the sick and the poor.
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1980
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Third Parties: U.S. Representative John B. Anderson of Illinois loses the Republican nomination for President to Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), who defeats Democratic President Jimmy Carter (1924- …). Anderson runs as an Independent, and gains 6 percent of the popular vote but no electoral votes.
Politics
Ronald W. Reagan (1911-2004) is elected the 40th President of the U.S. and George H. W. Bush (1924- ) is elected the nation's 43rd Vice President.
Politics
Voters in Quebec reject separatism.
Government
Immigration: The Refugee Act redefines criteria and procedures for admitting refugees.
Government
President Carter (1924- ) signs Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax; this is possibly the largest tax ever imposed on an industry.
Science
Volunteers at Duke University emerge from a pressure tank after 28 days, setting a world record for simulating a dive 2132 feet below sea level.
Medicine
Vaccines: New York Blood Center scientists report finding a successful, experimental vaccine against hepatitis B.
Technology
In California more than 17,000 wind machines, ranging in output from 20 to 350 kilowatts, are installed on wind farms.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: By the late 1980s, the rising Latino population increased the complexity of desegregation issues, and there was growing objection to busing as a solution for segregation.
Education
UNESCO reports that almost 1/3 of the world’s population are illiterate.
Arts and Letters
Painting: The Museum of Modern Art in New York city shows “Pablo Picasso: A Retrospective.” It is the first time the near 1000 items, representative of the artists work in various media, are shown together.
Clinton, Hillary
Chelsea Victoria Clinton (1980- ), daughter of William and Hillary Clinton, is born February 27.
Economics
Chrysler Corporation receives government-guaranteed $400 million loan.
Economics
Gold bullion prices soar to record heights on international markets, reaching $835 an ounce on London’s market.
Economics
Government supported United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation is created to develop synthetic energy sources.
Discovery
A major diamond field is discovered in Western Australia.
Daily Life
Disasters: The U.S. declares a state of emergency at the Love Canal in Niagara Falls, N.Y., an area contaminated by toxic chemical waste.
Sports
In a major upset, the U.S. Olympic hockey team defeats the Soviets 4-3 at Lake Placid, New York.
Sports
Women in Sports: The Women's Sports Foundation establishes the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: On December 8, 1980, John Lennon (1940-1980) is murdered in front of his New York City apartment by a mentally deranged fan, Mark David Chapman (1955-), forever crushing any hope of a Beatles reunion.
Religion
Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) reaffirms his opposition to divorce at the synod of Roman Catholic bishops in Rome. The Vatican also condemns euthanasia.
1981
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Women’s Firsts: Sandra Day O'Connor (1930- …) is appointed by President Reagan (1911-2004) to the Supreme Court, making her its first woman justice.
Government
Ronald W. Reagan (1911-2004) is inaugurated as the 40th President of the U.S. and George H. W. Bush (1924- ) is inaugurated as the nation's 43rd Vice President. Ronald Reagan is the oldest President to take office (69 years and 349 days).
Government
Chilean President Augusto Pinochet (1915-) is sworn in for an eight-year-term as president.
War
52 American hostages seized from the American Embassy in Tehran are released after 444 days in captivity.
Science
Amid growing debate over genetic engineering, the German drug firm Hoechst invests $50 million in DNA research at Massachusetts General hospital in Boston.
Science
The first test-tube baby is born in London.
Medicine
Scientists identify the virus that causes the fatal condition called A.I.D.S. (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Medicine
Vaccines: First vaccine for Hepatitis B is used.
Technology
The space shuttle is launched.
Technology
The first sun-powered aircraft flies across the English Channel. Earlier attempts failed because of cloudy skies.
Technology
Personal Computers: IBM introduces its model of the personal computer (PC), destined to revolutionize office automation and move corporations away from mainframe computers.
Arts and Letters
Literature: John Updike wins the National Book Critics Circle Award, American Book Award, and a Pulitzer Prize for "Rabbit is Rich."
Arts and Letters
Painting: Italy begins a $3 million restoration of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.
Roosevelt, Eleanor
John Aspinwall Roosevelt (1916-1981), son of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, dies of a heart attack on April 27.
Bush, Laura
Barbara Pierce Bush (1981- ), daughter of George W. and Laura Bush, is born the first of fraternal twins on November 25.
Bush, Laura
Jenna Welch Bush (1981- ), daughter of George W. and Laura Bush, is born the second of fraternal twins on November 25.
Reagan, Nancy
President Ronald Reagan (1911-2204) is shot in the chest by John Hinckley (1955- ) as he leaves a Washington hotel.
Economics
Honolulu has the highest cost of living of any American city. Rising prices are driven by wealthy tourists and development financed by Japanese investors.
Daily Life
African elephants are decimated by poachers of ivory, now selling at $34 per pound.
Popular Culture
The Rolling Stones play for 2 million fans in a smash U.S. tour. Scalpers command as much as $500 for a pair of $15 seats.
Popular Culture
Barbara Mandrell is named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association amid a popular resurgence of country music.
Popular Culture
Film star Meryl Streep receives wide-spread critical acclaim for her portrayal of the mysterious Sarah in "The French Lieutenant’s Woman."
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The three surviving Beatles reunite for the first time since the break-up for George Harrison's (1943-2001) tribute to fallen Beatle John Lennon (1940-1980) "All Those Years Ago".
Religion
Pope John Paul II is shot and seriously wounded as he greets worshippers in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that excluding women from the draft is constitutional.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Kirchberg v. Feenstra, 450 U.S. 455, 459-60 (1981), overturns state laws designating a husband “head and master” with unilateral control of property owned jointly with his wife.
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1982
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
President Reagan (1911-2005) proposes that the U.S. and the Soviet Union reduce their nuclear arsenals by one-third.
Government
Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) begin in Geneva, Switzerland.
Government
President Reagan (1911-2005) orders reinstatement of the U.S. military draft registration for 18-year olds.
Government
A government survey of income tax returns shows the IRS is twice as likely as taxpayers to make mathematical errors.
Medicine
Medical history is made at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City when doctors successfully implant a permanent artificial heart designed by Dr. Robert K. Jarvik in 61-year old Barney Clark.
Technology
The space shuttle Columbia lands safely after orbiting the earth for 7 days.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: In the Bob Jones University v. U.S. case, the Court held that racial discrimination in education violated a “fundamental national policy” and permitted the IRS to withhold tax exempt status from private schools with discriminatory policies.
Education
Evolution: A federal judge in Arkansas rules it unconstitutional to require schools to teach “creationism” if they teach the theory of evolution.
Economics
Personal Computers: Apple Computer becomes the first personal computer firm to reach $1 billion in annual sales.
Economics
The Dow Jones industrial average tops the 1000 level for the first time as Wall Street is bullish over sliding interest rates.
Economics
The AT&T Bell System telephone monopoly agreed to divest itself of 22 Bell System companies and split itself into seven “Baby Bells.”
Discovery
Paleontologists in Antarctica make the first discovery of mammal fossils on the continent.
Daily Life
EPCOT Center- The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow- opens at Disney world in Florida.
Daily Life
Under a geodesic dome called Spaceship Earth, EPCOT offers educational exhibits of the future.
Sports
Football: National Football League players go on strike against the league’s 28 teams, demanding a share of the gate and TV revenues. They settle 2 months later, receiving relatively little of what they asked for.
Sports
Women in Sports: The NCAA adds nine women's national collegiate championships during the 1981-82 school year. Lacrosse is one of the original sports. Massachusetts wins the championship over Trenton State, 9 to 6.
Popular Culture
Critics and audiences rave over "Cats," the British musical that makes its Broadway debut. Andrew Lloyd Webber based the show on poet T.S. Eliot’s "Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats."
Religion
Ending some 450 years of absolute separation between the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, Pope John Paul II and the Archbishop of Canterbury join in an emotional religious service. As a result Britain and the Vatican resume diplomatic relations.
Reform
Peace Corps: At this time, the Peace Corps began branching out past its traditional concerns of education- and agriculture-related projects. For the first time, a large number of conservative and Republican volunteers joined the contingent of overseas volunteers, and the organization continued to reflect the evolving political and social conditions in the United States.
1983
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) refers to the Soviet Union as an “Evil Empire.”
War
Terrorism: Simultaneous suicide truck-bombings destroy both the French and the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, killing 241 US servicemen, 58 French paratroopers and 6 Lebanese civilians.
Medicine
Health care officials assure a nervous public that there is little risk of catching AIDS via blood transfusions.
Technology
Apple Computer unveils a new computer device called a “mouse”; it allows users to point an arrow in order to access computer functions rather than entering complicated instructions on a keyboard.
Education
Public Education: A blue-ribbon panel publishes A Nation at Risk, finding that the nation's educational standards “are being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity,” threatening the nation’s future.
Arts and Letters
The Nobel Prize for literature goes to Britain’s William Golding (1911-1993), author of "The Lord of the Flies."
Arts and Letters
American playwright Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) dies.
Economics
Cable television increasingly threatens the former monopoly of broadcast TV.
Economics
Video rental stores begin to attract an increasing amount of business.
Economics
Solar Electric Generating Stations (SEGs) producing as much as 13.8 megawatts are developed in California and sell electricity to the Southern California Edison Company.
Discovery
Women’s Firsts: Dr. Sally K. Ride (1951- …) becomes the first American woman to be sent into space.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: A Japanese company, Nintendo, brings the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), a home video game system, to the United States. With fifty-two colors, realistic sound, and high-speed action, it catches the attention of retailers who were initially skittish due to Atari''s collapse.
Daily Life
Fifty million households tune in to the last episode of M*A*S*H.
Sports
For the first time in its 132-year history, the America’s Cup, yachting’s most prestigious prize, leaves the U.S. It is won by an Australian vessel that comes from behind in 4 races to beat the defending Liberty.
Religion
The National Council of the Churches of Christ issues a new Bible that no longer refers to God in masculine terms only. God is called either “Father”, “Mother”, or “The One.” References to “mankind” are replaced by “humankind”or “humanity.”
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: Chanting the theme of “Jobs, Peace, and Freedom,” some 250,000 Americans converge on Washington to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1963 civil rights march.
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1984
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court holds that exhibiting a publicly financed nativity scene does not violate the First Amendment.
Politics
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) is re-elected as President of the U.S., as is George H. W. Bush (1924 -) as Vice President.
Government
The United States and the Vatican reestablish diplomatic relations after 117 years.
Government
Great Britain agrees to return Hong Kong to China in 1997 when Britain’s 99-year lease on the crown colony runs out.
Government
Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Commission votes to end use of numerical quotas in employment promotions of African Americans.
Medicine
Nonsmokers can get cancer by inhaling smoke from smokers’ cigarettes declares the Surgeon General.
Technology
The compact disc (CD), developed by the Dutch company Phillips and Japan’s Sony, is hailed as the music-recording medium of the future.
Arts and Letters
Literature: George Orwell’s classic novel "1984" becomes a best seller once again; his grim forecasts about totalitarianism have not come to pass.
Economics
Crayola: The Crayola® brand becomes part of Hallmark Cards, Inc. of Kansas City, Mo., the world’s leader in social expression.
Sports
The Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games open with Hollywood glitz – an enormous symphony, a huge marching band, gospel singers, break dancers, and 84 pianists. The U.S. dominates the games, which are boycotted by the Soviet Union and some other Communist nations in retaliation for the U.S. boycott of Moscow’s 1980 games.
Sports
Women in Sports: Dorothy Hamill wins the first of four straight World Professional Figure Skating championships.
Popular Culture
Michael Jackson (1958-) is nominated for 12 Grammy Awards and "Thriller" becomes the best-selling album ever.
Popular Culture
Bruce Springsteen (1949-) stirs millions with "Born in the U.S.A.," an album featuring a song of the same name, reflecting his bittersweet view of U.S. society.
Religion
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops says that capitalism fails to provide a just economic system. Bishops cite homelessness and hunger in a wealthy nation and ask the government to play a bigger role in correcting the problems.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: In Roberts v. U.S. Jaycees, 468 U.S. 609 (1984), sex discrimination in membership policies of organizations, such as the Jaycees, is forbidden by the Supreme Court, opening many previously all-male organizations (Jaycees, Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions) to women.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Hishon v. King and Spaulding, 467 U.S. 69 (1984): The U.S. Supreme Court rules that law firms may not discriminate on the basis of sex in promoting lawyers to partnership positions.
1985
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court bars a moment of silence in public schools, declaring it fosters religious activity in schools, which was declared unconstitutional in 1962.
Government
Congress passes the Gramm-Rudman bill, requiring a balanced budget for the federal government by 1991.
Government
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes head of the Soviet Union, replacing Konstantin Chernenko.
Government
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) is inaugurated as President of the U.S., as is George H. W. Bush (1924 -) as Vice President.
Government
In his State of the Union message, President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) begins his second term by calling for reform in federal income tax policy.
Science
The world’s largest particle accelerator goes into operation in Batavia, Illinois.
Medicine
Obesity is called a major killer, particularly among those who are more than 20% overweight, a category that includes 34 million Americans.
Arts and Letters
Johann Sebastian Bach’s 300th birthday is marked by performances in his hometown of Leipzig, Germany, and dozens of other cities in Europe and the U.S.
Ideas
Tipper Gore (1948- ), wife of Tennessee Senator Albert Gore (1948- ), tries to clean up rock lyrics, urging warning labels on “offensive” albums. Rocker Frank Zappa (1940-1993) speaks out in opposition, calling it censorship.
Economics
Coca-Cola markets a controversial new formulation of its soft drink, but after sales plummet it brings back the original, now dubbed “Coke Classic.”
Discovery
Divers find the hull of the luxury liner Titanic, which hit an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic in 1912. The vessel was in 12,00 feet of water.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: U.S. journalist Terry Anderson is kidnapped in Beirut; he was released 2,454 days later on December 4, 1991.
Daily Life
The cold snap of the century hits the U.S. citrus crop.
Daily Life
Women’s Firsts: Native Americans: Wilma Mankiller (1945- …) becomes the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Women in sports: Libby Riddles (1956-), is the first woman to win the Iditarod.
Popular Culture
45 of the world’s top recording artists get together and record "We Are the World" to raise money for world hunger.
Popular Culture
Pop star Madonna captures a vast audience and makes her first movie, "Desperately Seeking Susan."
Social Issues
Philadelphia police try to subdue the radical group Move by dropping a bomb on its headquarters, causing extensive fires and 11 deaths.
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1986
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Chief Justices: President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) nominates William H. Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; he is confirmed by the Senate after considerable debate by a vote of 65-33. He serves in this position for nineteen years, until his death in 2005.
Government
Conservation: The federal government makes the environmental danger from toxic wastes a priority by enacting a $9 billion clean-up law.
Government
New federal legislation weakens the existing gun control law.
Government
President Ferdinand Marcos (1917-1989) flees the Philippines.
Government
Immigration: The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) legalizes illegal aliens residing in the U.S. unlawfully since 1982.
War
President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) authorizes and air attack on Libya for its terrorism, specifically the bombing of a West Berlin disco popular among American GI’s. Libyan assets are frozen, and U.S. trade with Libya is banned.
Medicine
After 620 days, the first artificial heart recipient dies.
Technology
Airplanes: Voyager, a lightweight experimental airplane, circles the Earth non-stop without refueling. Its 25,000 miles trip takes 9 days and uses 1500 gallons of fuel.
Education
Studies show that 13% of American adults are illiterate.
Economics
Manufacturing in the U.S. declines as a percentage of the gross national as industrial firms transfer production to lower wag countries; service industries increase in the national economy, creating 10 million jobs in 7 years.
Discovery
Disasters: The U.S. shuttle Challenger explodes 72 seconds after lifting off, killing all seven crew members aboard, including school teacher Christa McAuliffe (1948-1986).
Daily Life
Disasters: The worst nuclear power plant accident in history occurs at Chernobyl, near Kiev, U.S.S.R.
Daily Life
Holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Artist Xavier Roberts introduces his Cabbage Patch Kids into the mass market. Each of the dolls comes with an adoption certificate and unique name. Although more than three million of the dolls are produced, supply cannot keep up with demand. Cabbage Patch Kids become the most successful new dolls in the history of the toy industry.
Sports
Women in Sports: Basketball: The three-point field goal is introduced in women''s basketball.
Popular Culture
The world’s largest shopping mall achieves success in Alberta, Canada. The West Edmonton Mall boasts 836 stores and 20 movie theatres, plus restaurants and rides.
Religion
Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) pays a historic visit to Rome’s main synagogue, a gesture seen as a step toward the Vatican’s recognition of Israel.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: In Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57 (1986), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a hostile or abusive work environment can prove discrimination based on sex.
1987
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign a treaty in Washington to eliminate short and medium range nuclear weapons.
Government
The Reagan administration proposes the government’s first trillion-dollar budget.
Science
University of California astronomers witness the birth of a galaxy containing 1 billion stars for the first time.
Science
A human growth hormone is transplanted in pig embryos to increase the size and value of hogs for slaughter, a procedure that stirs ethical and scientific debate.
Medicine
Surgeon Ben Carson (born September 18, 1951) leading a 70-member medical team in Germany, was the first to separate occipital craniopagus twins.
Technology
Expanded possible uses of superconductors make the news as a very promising scientific and technical revolution.
Arts and Letters
Painting: Van Gogh’s “Irises” is auctioned for a record $53.9 million at Sotheby’s in New York City. He painted it only days after entering a mental asylum in France.
Reagan, Nancy
First Lady Nancy Reagan (1921- ) undergoes a mastectomy after a biopsy reveals cancerous cells.
Economics
The Dow Jones industrial average plunges 508 points – 22.6%- on “Black Monday,” by far the largest one-day loss in history.
Economics
Japan’s Honda Motors sells 100,000 Acuras in the U.S., spurring Toyota and Nissan to bring out their luxury Lexus and Infiniti models.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company purchases the Hertz Corporation’s rental car business.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: Engineer Scott Stillinger invents the Koosh Ball in an effort to teach young children how to catch. He tied rubber bands together to make a small, easy-to-catch ball. The name "koosh" comes from the sound the ball makes as it lands in a person's hand.
Daily Life
At least 36 states pass laws against the breed of dog known as a “pit-bulls.” Owners are required to keep these dogs on leashes at all times while in public.
Sports
Al Unser wins his 4th Indianapolis 500 auto race.
Popular Culture
Aretha Franklin (1942-) becomes the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Popular Culture
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is re-released by Disney on its 50th anniversary.
Popular Culture
The 10th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death spurs TV specials, books, and the releases of new collections of his music.
Religion
Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) visits 9 U.S. cities in a 10-day tour.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a voluntary affirmative action plan for public employees to correct sex discrimination.
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1988
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
George H. W. Bush (1924-) is elected 41st president of the U.S., and J. Danforth Quayle (1947 -) is elected as the 44th Vice President.
Government
Congress passes and President Reagan (1911-2004) signs a bill establishing the cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs.
Government
Immigration: The Civil Liberties Act provides compensation of $20,000 and a presidential apology to all Japanese-American survivors of the World War II internment camps.
War
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver L. North and Vice Admiral John M. Poindexter of the National Security Council are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States for their role in the Iran-contra affair.
Technology
Fax machines emerge as an integral business tool around the world. The advent of cheap machines that can transmit documents over telephone lines begins to change the way the business world communicates.
Arts and Letters
Opera: Climbing attendance at Broadway theatres is led by the success of "The Phantom of the Opera" and the Tony-winning "Madame Butterfly."
Arts and Letters
Literature: Toni Morrison (1931-) wins the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her book "Beloved," a novel about a runaway slave who kills her daughter rather than let her be raised as a slave.
Roosevelt, Eleanor
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. (1914-1988), son of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, dies August 17.
Economics
Rodeos become big business as U.S. corporations begin to underwrite large cash prizes for competitors.
Economics
The Ford Motor Company continues its record-setting-trend when the company’s worldwide earnings reach 5.3 billion, the highest to date for any automotive company.
Daily Life
Tokyo’s Disneyland becomes Japan’s favorite play land. It resembles its American counterpart but with a Japanese style; visitors are greeted by a smiling “Mickey-San.”
Daily Life
“No Smoking” signs go up on Northwest Airlines.
Daily Life
“Hypermarkets” become the rage. These mega-size retail stores are as big as 5 football fields and sell everything from bananas to bedroom sets. Kmart and Walmart set up dozens of these “malls without walls.”
Sports
In the Olympic Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea, U.S. diver Greg Louganis repeats his 1984 triumphs by taking 2 gold medals.
Sports
Professional tennis player Steffi Graf (1969- ) of West Germany wins the Grand Slam by taking titles at Wimbledon and the Australian, French, and U.S. Opens
Sports
Women in Sports: Congress enacts the Civil Rights Restoration Act over President Ronald Reagan's veto. It prohibits sex discriminations throughout educational institutions receiving federal funds, restoring Title IX.
Sports
Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Olympic medalist (winter games): Debi Thomas (1967-…) wins the bronze in figure skating.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lennon (1940-1980), McCartney (1942-) , and Harrison (1943-2001) are also inducted separately in later years (1994, 1999, and 2004, respectively).
Popular Culture
Superman marks the 50th anniversary of his first appearance in Action Comics. A birthday exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution is one of the many tributes to the enduring supermyth.
Religion
Dissident Roman Catholic Archbishop Marcel LeFebvre (1905-1991) defies papal orders by consecrating 4 bishops in Switzerland. The Vatican excommunicates him.
1989
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The U.S. Supreme Court declares that the U.S Constitution protects the right of protestors to burn the U.S. flag.
Law
The Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the Constitution, requiring an election of Representatives and Senators before a raise in pay for these positions can take effect, is passed by Congress.
Politics
Thousands of Chinese students and workers demonstrate in Tiananmen Square to protest government policies.
Government
Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain over Salman Rushdie’s (1947-) novel Satanic Verses.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (1952- …), of Florida, becomes the first Hispanic woman elected to congress. She serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Government
George H. W. Bush (1924-) is inaugurated as the 41st president of the U.S., and J. Danforth Quayle (1947 -) is inaugurated as the 44th Vice President.
War
More than 100,000 Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan almost 10years after the USSR invaded the country.
Science
The University of Cincinnati scientists report that even minor exposure to lead can stunt growth in children and make them lose their balance.
Medicine
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of eye cataracts, says Johns Hopkins University.
Arts and Letters
Chinese art draws thousands to U.S. museums when the exhibit “Masterworks of the Ming and Qing: Painting from the Forbidden City” tours 5 U.S. cities.
Discovery
The space shuttle Atlantis returns to Earth after launching the Galileo spacecraft on a 6-year exploration voyage to Jupiter.
Daily Life
Disasters: The oil tanker Exxon Valdez runs aground and spills 240,000 barrels of oil into Prince William Sound.
Daily Life
Fears of nuclear contamination rise after Soviet nuclear submarine sinks off the Norwegian coast following a fire on board.
Sports
Baseball: Pete Rose (1941- ), Cincinnati Reds manager, is banned from baseball for life for betting on games.
Popular Culture
The comic book hero Batman becomes a national phenomenon with the release of the movie "Batman," starring Michael Keaton (1951-) and Jack Nicholson (1937- ).
Popular Culture
The centennial of silent film star Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) is marked by film festivals worldwide in his honor.
Religion
Women’s Firsts: In Boston, the Reverend Barbara C. Harris (1930- …) becomes the first woman consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Church.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: In Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, 492 U.S. 490 (1989), the Supreme Court affirms the right of states to deny public funding for abortions and to prohibit public hospitals from performing abortions.
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1990
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Civil Rights Movement: Discrimination against people with disabilities is banned under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Government
Douglas Wilder (1931- ) of Virginia becomes the first elected African American governor in the United States.
Government
Independence from the Soviet Union is declared by a newly elected parliament in Lithuania.
Government
Mikhail Gorbachev (1931- ) is elected the first executive president of the Soviet Union; at the same time, the Soviet parliament rules that Lithuania’s declaration of independence is invalid.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Dr. Antonia Novello (1944- …) is sworn in as U.S. Surgeon General, becoming the first woman (and first Hispanic) to hold that job.
War
Manuel Noreiga (1938- ) surrenders to U.S. forces.
Technology
NASA reports a major manufacturing flaw in the main mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope that renders its pictures fuzzy and disappointing.
Technology
The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis, with a 5-member crew, completes a secret military mission.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: The public strongly opposes bilingual education.
Roosevelt, Eleanor
Elliot Roosevelt (1910-1990), son of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, dies on October 27 of congestive heart failure.
Economics
General Motors unveils the Saturn, a compact car aimed at a young market.
Economics
In an important court decision, Eastman Kodak is ordered to pay Polaroid more that $900 million for patent infringements.
Economics
American Money: A security thread and micro printing are introduced, first in $50 and $100 notes, to deter counterfeiting by advanced copiers and printers.
Daily Life
South African resistance leader, Nelson Mandela (1918- ), is released from prison after more than 27 years.
Sports
Women in Sports: Jennifer Capriati (1976- ), age 13, becomes the youngest player ever to reach the final of a professional tennis tournament.
Sports
Football: The New England Patriots and 3 of its players are fined for demeaning a female sports reporter.
Sports
Women in Sports: The number of women playing college sports has jumped to 160,000.
Popular Culture
"The Simpsons" premier on television.
Popular Culture
Rap music engenders controversy as an album by 2 Live Crew is ruled obscene by a Florida court.
Popular Culture
Russians get their first taste of American-style fast food when a McDonald’s opens in Moscow. Line are long until the prices are doubled.
Popular Culture
"A Chorus Line" closes after 15 years, the longest run in the history of the Broadway theatre.
1991
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Lithuanians vote overwhelmingly for independence from the Soviet Union.
Government
Women’s Firsts: On January 2, Sharon Pratt Dixon (1944- …) is sworn in as mayor of Washington, DC, becoming the first black woman to serve as mayor of a major city.
War
Persian Gulf War: A divided Congress gives President Bush (1924- ) the go-ahead on the Persian Gulf War.
War
Persian Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm is launched against Iraq.
War
Persian Gulf War: Kuwait is liberated in the Gulf War.
Science
European scientists produce a significant amount of energy from controlled nuclear fusion for the first time.
Medicine
Alzheimer’s emerges as a major U.S. public health issue. Some 4 million Americans suffer from the incurable disease that claims 100,000 lives yearly. Symptoms are gradual loss of memory, speech, and orientation.
Medicine
The Bush administration initiates a study to find ways to cut the rapid rise in health care costs.
Technology
Computers continue to be miniaturized. Hewlett-Packard introduces a hand-held model that weighs less than a pound.
Technology
During a 6-day flight, the space shuttle Atlantis puts the Gamma Ray Observatory into orbit.
Arts and Letters
New York City’s Carnegie Hall celebrates its centennial.
Arts and Letters
The 200th anniversary of Mozart’s death spurs musical tributes around the world; the largest takes place at New York’s Lincoln Center.
Roosevelt, Eleanor
James “Jimmy” Roosevelt (1907-1991), son of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, dies August 13.
Bush, Barbara
President Bush (1924- ) is hospitalized for 2 days for an irregular heartbeat.
Economics
Japan again assumes the title of the world’s largest automaker, turning out almost 10 million cars compared to the 6 million produced by the U.S.
Economics
Both Pan Am and Eastern Airlines go out of business.
Discovery
A radar image of the planet Venus taken by the Magellan spacecraft shows huge volcanoes and large craters.
Sports
Basketball: Led by superstar Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls capture their first National Basketball Association championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sports
Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson discloses that he has the HIV virus that causes AIDS and retires from basketball.
Sports
Women in Sports: Basketball: The women''s Final Four of college basketball is televised live for the first time. Tennessee edges Virginia 70-67 for its third NCAA title in the first OT game in the tournament''s 10-year history.
Popular Culture
Rap music, reflecting inner-city social conditions, extends its influence to mainstream America through artists such as MC Hammer (1962- ), 2 Live Crew, and Run DMC.
Popular Culture
Country star Garth Brooks (1962-) is the dominant solo performer on the concert and recording scene.
Religion
Pope John Paul II (1920-2205) names 22 new cardinals, including 2 Americans – Archbishops Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia and Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles.
Social Issues
Racism: Four white policemen are indicted by a Los Angeles, California grand jury for the beating of a black motorist, Rodney King. The brutal beating, captured on videotape by an amateur, is widely seen on TV.
Reform
Civil Rights Movement: The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 strengthened existing civil rights laws. However, the acquittal of the white police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King triggered the largest and most violent race riots in many years.
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1992
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the Constitution, requiring an election of Representatives and Senators before a raise in pay for these positions can take effect, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.
Politics
Democrat William J. Clinton (1946- …) is elected the 42nd President of the U.S. and Albet A. Gore (1948-) is elected the 45th Vice President.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Carol Moseley-Braun (1947- …), of Illinois, becomes the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
Government
The European Community recognizes Croatia and Slovenia as separate states, effectively ending the Yugoslav Federation, founded in 1918.
Government
Mongolia’s new non-communist constitution takes effect.
Government
Stamps: Full-scale production of U.S. self-adhesive stamps begins.
Government
The Energy Policy Act establishes a permanent 10 percent investment tax credit for solar and geothermal powergenerating equipment.
War
The El Salvador government signs a peace treaty with guerilla forces, formally ending 12 years of civil war.
Technology
Dell Computer brings out a trend-setting 3.5-pound laptop, accelerating the use of these small computers.
Arts and Letters
Women''s Firsts: Poetry: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mona Van Duyn (1921-2004) is the first woman chosen as U.S. poet laureate.
Arts and Letters
UNESCO begins a 5-year project to photograph the world’s cultural and natural wonders before they are further harmed by war or environmental problems.
Economics
U.S. unemployment soars to 7.8%, its highest rate since 1983.
Discovery
Pioneer 10 continues to send back deep-space data 20 years after its launch. 5 billion miles out, the probe still has 7 functioning instruments.
Discovery
U.S. launches the Mars Observer, an unmanned spacecraft designed to orbit and study Mars.
Discovery
A sculptured head of a giant bird that was one of the main Mayan gods is discovered in what was the ancient Mayan city of Nakbe.
Discovery
Archeologists uncover Ubar, a 5000-year-old trading city famous for its frankincense, under the desert sands in Oman.
Discovery
Space Exploration: Women’s Firsts: Mae Jemison (1956- …) becomes the first black female astronaut.
Daily Life
Crayola: Crayola multicultural crayons, an assortment of skin tone-based colors that let children more accurately color themselves, are introduced.
Daily Life
Crayola: Crayola brings washability — an all-new innovation to crayons — with the first crayons that wash off walls.
Sports
Women in Sports: "A League of Their Own," a movie by director Penny Marshall about the first year of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, is a box office hit, due in large part to the many women who went to see female sports role models on the screen.
Sports
Europe hosts both Olympics, with the XVI Winter Games in Albertville, France and the XXV Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain.
Popular Culture
Johnny Carson (1925-2005) retires as host of NBC’s "The Tonight Show" after nearly 30 years.
Popular Culture
A young Elvis Presley (1935-1977) is portrayed on a postage stamp; some $20 million worth are kept by collectors.
Popular Culture
The hit TV show "Murphy Brown" becomes controversial when the campaigning Vice President Dan Quayle (1947- ) says it undermines U.S. moral values by presenting its star as a single mother.
Religion
Bible Lands Museum opens in Jerusalem, Israel, with the purpose of dramatizing the people and events of the Bible in its original environment.
Religion
The Church of England allows the ordination of women priests.
Religion
Bloody religious conflicts erupt in India after Hindus desecrate a historic Muslim mosque.
Social Issues
Racism: A jury in Los Angeles acquits four police officers accused of beating Rodney King, Jr.; the verdict leads to massive rioting and looting.
Social Issues
Native Americans: New Mexico observes Columbus Quincentenary, welcomes Cristobal Colon XX.
1993
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Fidel Castro’s daughter wins political asylum in the U.S.
Government
Czechoslovakia peacefully splits into the Czech Republic and Slovakia; the playwright, Vaclav Havel (1936-), is elected President of the Czech Republic.
Government
Congress passes the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Janet Reno (1938- …) becomes the first woman U.S. attorney general.
Government
William J. Clinton (1946-) is inaugurated as the 42nd President of the U.S. and Albert A. Gore (1948-) is inaugurated as the 45th Vice President.
War
Women’s Firsts: Sheila Widnall (1938- …) becomes the first secretary of a branch of the U.S. military when she is appointed to head the Air Force.
War
Terrorism: Terrorists bomb the World Trade Center on February 26, killing five.
Medicine
The Food and Drug Administration says second hand smoke causes 6,000 U.S. deaths yearly.
Medicine
The measles epidemic in the U.S. is finally over.
Technology
The blurry Hubble Space Telescope is brought into focus by astronauts from the U.S. space shuttle Endeavor, whose astronauts fit new optics and devises that corrected the $3 billion observatory.
Arts and Letters
Women’s Firsts: Literature: Toni Morrison (1931- …) becomes the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature.
Hoover, Lou
Allan Henry Hoover (1907-1993), son of Herbert and Lou Hoover, dies November 8.
Clinton, Hillary
The President and First Lady Hillary Clinton (1947- ) push for national health care reform, but the controversial bill succumbs to political pressure.
Economics
Western Europe’s economic slump is the worst in 20 years.
Economics
Ford Motor Company: FMC accomplishes another great fear when five of the United States’ eight top selling vehicles were Fords.
Discovery
Archeologists in Israel uncover a stone monument with text in Aramaic mentioning King David and his descendents-the only known reference to him outside the Bible.
Daily Life
Disasters: Four federal agents are killed in Waco, Texas, after trying to serve an arrest warrant for weapons charges against Branch Davidian sect leader David Koresh (1959-1993), starting a 51-day standoff.
Daily Life
Disasters: The siege at Waco, Texas ends when the FBI moves into the Branch Davidian compound with tear gas and cult members set fire to the compound killing over 80 people.
Daily Life
Holidays: All 50 states join in the observance of Martin Luther King Day.
Daily Life
The History of Toys: H. Ty Warner begins to market understuffed plush bean bag toys called Beanie Babies.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Women in Sports: Basketball: Ann Meyers becomes the first woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Sports
Tennis’s top-ranked player Monica Seles (1973- ) is stabbed in the back by an obsessed German fan of Steffi Graf (1969- ) and has to leave the tennis tour.
Popular Culture
The 1993 Oscar for the best picture goes to "Schindler’s List."
Popular Culture
Tom Hanks (1956- ) is awarded the best actor award for his portrayal of an AIDS victim in the movie entitled "Philadelphia."
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: The Family and Medical Leave Act goes into effect.
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1994
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
The first multi-racial elections are held in South Africa.
Government
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect.
Government
Rudolph Giuliani (1944- ) is inaugurated as New York City’s mayor.
War
Puerto Rico: Sep 7, U.S. Marines began training on a Puerto Rican island amid talk in Washington of a U.S.-led intervention in Haiti.
Medicine
The Food and Drug Administration extends approval of Prozac, the best selling anti-depressant drug, to treat bulimia and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Education
Public Education: Immigration: Proposition 187 passes in California, making it illegal for children of undocumented immigrants to attend public school. Federal courts hold Proposition 187 unconstitutional, but anti-immigrant feeling spreads across the country.
Education
Libraries: The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History opens as a special branch of the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System.
Education
Women's Rights Movement: Education of Women: Congress adopts the Gender Equity in Education Act to train teachers in gender equity, promote math and science learning by girls, counsel pregnant teens, and prevent sexual harassment.
Kennedy, Jackie
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, widow of President Kennedy, noted for her glamour and style, dies in New York City.
Reagan, Nancy
The disclosure that Ronald Reagan has Alzheimer’s disease heightens concern about the degenerative illness that afflicts 4 million elderly Americans.
Discovery
Archaeologists in Colorado find an 8000-year-old skeleton in a cave, the first confirmation that humans lived at high elevations in prehistoric America.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Byron De La Beckwith (1920-2001) is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Medgar Evers, 30 years after the crime in Jackson, Mississippi.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Four Muslim fundamentalists are found guilty in the World Trade Center bombing in New York.
Sports
Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan (1969- ) is clubbed on the leg by a group of men including the husband of her rival skater Tonya Harding (1970- ).
Sports
Baseball: The year without a World Series: the longest and costliest strike in baseball history begins on August 12, 1994, and lasts until the following spring.
Popular Culture
The entertainment industry’s wedding of the year unites megastar singer Michael Jackson (1958-) and Lisa Marie Presley (1968- ), Elvis’s daughter.
Popular Culture
"Forrest Gump" is Hollywood’s biggest money-maker, attracting moviegoers with its positive vision of life.
Religion
The Church of England (Anglican) ordains women as priests for the first time.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: The Violence Against Women Act funds services for victims of rape and domestic violence, allows women to seek civil rights remedies for gender-related crimes, provides training to increase police and court officials’ sensitivity and a national 24-hour hotline for battered women.
1995
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
The United States and Vietnam established full diplomatic relations.
Government
The U.S. federal government begins a partial shut down of government services after the U.S. Congress cannot pass a budget.
Government
President Bill Clinton (1946-) becomes the first U.S. president to visit Northern Ireland.
War
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, DC.
Science
The Hale-Bopp comet is discovered by Alan Hale (1958- ) and Thomas Bopp (1949- ).
Science
Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995), the medical pioneer who developed the first polio vaccine, dies.
Technology
Colonel Eileen Collins (1956- ) becomes the first woman to pilot the space shuttle when the Discovery blasts off.
Technology
The shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir dock, forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit Earth.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: In the Hopwood v. University of Texas Law School court case, the 5th Circuit holds that “educational diversity is not recognized as a compelling state interest.”
Economics
Ford Motor Company: FMC initiates Ford 2000, a restructuring plan that begins with the merging of North American and European automotive operations and the creation of the global management team. Ford 2000 aims to combine the power, resources, and reach of a world company with the immediacy, intimacy, agility, and spirit of a small one.
Daily Life
Terrorism: Poisonous gas is released in a Tokyo subway station by two members of the Japanese cult Aum Sinrikyo, killing 12 people and sending over 5,000 people to hospitals for treatment.
Daily Life
Terrorism: A car bomb destroys the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168 people, including 19 children, in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
Sports
Baseball: Major League Baseball players agreed to end the sport’s longest strike in history after a judge ordered a preliminary injunction against team owners.
Sports
Boxing: Boxer Mike Tyson (1966- ) is freed from an Indiana prison where he served three years for sexual assault.
Popular Culture
Hot Air Balloons: Steve Fossett (1944- ) becomes first person to cross the Pacific Ocean solo in a balloon.
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1996
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Gay Rights Movement: In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court rejects a Colorado measure banning laws that protect homosexuals from discrimination.
Law
Famous Trials: Rwanda's first genocide trial opens for the 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis.
Politics
William J. Clinton (1946 - )is re-elected President of the U.S., as is Albert A. Gore (1948 - ) re-elected Vice President.
Politics
Russia votes in its first independent presidential election. Boris Yeltsin (1931- ) eventually wins in a runoff.
Government
The United States and the world's other major nuclear powers sign a treaty to end all testing and development of nuclear weapons.
War
Moslem-Croat authorities take control of the last Serbian-held district in Sarajevo, enabling the city to become united after four years of fighting.
Science
Dolly, the first sheep cloned from adult cells, is born.
Education
Higher Education: Education of Women: The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, votes to admit women.
Education
Women's Rights Movement: Education of Women: United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515 (1996), affirms that the male-only admissions policy of the state-supported Virginia Military Institute violates the Fourteenth Amendment.
Education
Public Education: Civil Rights Movement: Leading the way backwards again, California passes Proposition 209, which outlaws affirmative action in public employment, public contracting and public education. Other states jump on the bandwagon with their own initiatives and right wing elements hope to pass similar legislation on a federal level.
Economics
American Money: In the first significant design change in 67 years, U.S. currency is redesigned to incorporate a series of new counterfeit deterrents.
Daily Life
Terrorism: A shooting that killed 16 children and 1 teacher in a school in Dunblane, Scotland, occurs.
Daily Life
Terrorism: A pipe bomb explodes in an Atlanta park during the Olympic Games.
Sports
The 100th Boston Marathon is won by Moses Tanui of Kenya.
Sports
Women in Sports: Spalding Sports introduces the first baseball glove specifically designed to fit a woman's hand.
Popular Culture
Chess champion Garry Kasparov (1963- ) beats the IBM computer, Deep Blue, winning the six-game match.
1997
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
In Scotland, voters approve the establishment of a parliament to run their domestic affairs, after 290 years of union with England.
Government
Representatives from more than 150 countries gather at a global warming summit in Kyoto, Japan, and over the course of ten days forge an agreement to control the emission of greenhouse gases. President Bush pulls the U.S. out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2001.
Government
Yasser Arafat (1929-2004) returns to Hebron for the first time in 30 years, as Israel hands over control of the West Bank city to the Palestinians.
Government
North and South Korean representatives meet for the first time in 25 years for peace talks.
Government
Tony Blair (1953- ) becomes Prime Minister of Britain, ending 18 years of conservative rule. At 44, he is the youngest prime minister in 185 years.
Government
After 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong is returned to China.
Government
British prime minister Tony Blair (1953-) and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams meet—the first time in 76 years that a British leader and an IRA ally meet.
Government
Stamps: U.S. Postal Service introduces linerless coil self-adhesives (Linerless coils mean there is no backing paper on the stamps).
Government
Women’s Firsts: Madeleine Albright (1937- …) is sworn in as U.S. secretary of state. She is the first woman in this position as well as the highest-ranking woman in the United States government.
Government
William J. Clinton (1946 - )is inaugurated President of the U.S., as is Albert A. Gore (1948 - ) inaugurated as Vice President.
War
Terrorism: Timothy McVeigh (1968-2001) is found guilty of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.
Science
Scottish scientists announce the successful cloning of a sheep, Dolly.
Science
The comet Hale-Bopp makes its closest approach to Earth in the skies over the northern hemisphere; the comet’s next pass is predicted for the year 4397.
Science
The first joint U.S.-Russian space walk is made by Jerry Linenger and Vasily Tsibliyev from space station Mir.
Science
The U.S. Air Force releases The Roswell Report, closing the case on the 1947 Roswell, N.M. incident concerning UFOs and alien bodies.
Technology
Queen Elizabeth II launches the first royal website.
Technology
IBM’s computer, Deep Blue, beats the world chess champion, Garry Kasparov (1963).
Education
Children''s Books: The first volume of the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer''s Stone" is published.
Economics
Under international pressure, three of Switzerland’s biggest banks create a fund worth 100 million Swiss francs for Holocaust victims and their families.
Economics
The Dow Jones industrial average falls 554.26 points, forcing the stock market to shut down.
Discovery
Linda Finch completes Amelia Earhart''s (1898-1937) attempted around-the-world flight.
Discovery
The U.S. Pathfinder probe lands on Mars.
Discovery
The Mars rover Sojourner rolls onto the Martian surface.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Timothy McVeigh (1968-2001) is found guilty of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.
Daily Life
History of Toys: Crayola: New crayon colors are issued commemorating eight true blue heroes nominated by kids. The new colors include: outer space, mountain meadow, fuzzy wuzzy brown, brink pink, shadow, banana mania, torch red and purple heart.
Sports
Black Athletes: Tiger Woods (1975- ) becomes the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament and the first of African descent to win a major golf title.
Sports
Baseball: Inter-league play begins in baseball, ending a 126-year tradition of separating the major leagues until the World Series.
Sports
The Women''s National Basketball Association makes its debut.
Sports
Boxing: Boxer Mike Tyson (1966- ) bites Evander Holyfield''s (1962- ) ear during their heavyweight title fight, earning a 16-month suspension.
Sports
Women in Sports: The NBA hires two female referees, Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer, the first to work regular-season games in a major men's pro sports league.
Religion
39 members of the Heaven’s Gate religious cult commit suicide in California, believing that they would then “board” a spacecraft traveling with the Hale-Bopp comet.
Social Issues
Native Americans: Corporation for Public Broadcasting establishes Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc., (NAPT) to promote, produce and distribute Native American television and radio programming.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Elaborating on Title IX, the Supreme Court rules that college athletics programs must actively involve roughly equal numbers of men and women to qualify for federal support.
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1998
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Stamps: U.S. Postal Service issues its first semi-postal.(Semi-postals are postage stamps which are used to raise funds for a charity).
Government
Tony Blair becomes the first British prime minister to speak to the Irish parliament.
Government
President Clinton (1946-) becomes the first sitting U.S. president to testify as a defendant in a criminal or civil suit.
Government
The U.S. House of Representatives approves two of four proposed Articles of Impeachment against President Bill Clinton (1946 …); the House Judiciary Committee approves a final Article of Impeachment against President Clinton. He is later acquitted of all charges by the Senate.
War
The remains of a Vietnam War serviceman buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers are identified as those of Air Force pilot Michael J. Blassie.
War
Terrorism: Terrorists bomb U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, some 224 are killed and more than 5,500 are injured.
War
Terrorism: U.S. cruise missiles hit suspected terrorist bases in Afghanistan and the Sudan.
War
The “Good Friday Accord” is reached, suspending hostilities in Northern Ireland.
Science
Nineteen European countries sign an agreement that bans human cloning.
Education
Public Education: A California multi-millionaire named Ron Unz manages to put a measure on the June 1998 ballot outlawing bilingual education in California. It passes.
Education
Children's Books: J. K. Rowling publishes the first of the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Discovery
Space Exploration: John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, returns to space at age 77.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: The mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Ramzi Yousef, is sentenced to life in prison.
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, is sentenced to four life terms plus 30 years for his series of bombings that killed three and injured 23.
Daily Life
Women’s Firsts: During Operation Desert Fox in Iraq, Lt. Kendra Williams (1972- …), USN, becomes the first U.S. female combat pilot to bomb an enemy target.
Daily Life
History of Toys: Crayola: The Crayola 64 Box is reintroduced in its original packaging, complete with built in sharpener. A 1958 Crayola 64 Box becomes part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
Sports
Women in Sports: According to a survey conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education, 40% of athletes at Division I schools in 1997-98 were women, a 5% increase from 1996-97. Women also received 40% of athletic scholarship budgets, up 14% from the previous year.
Sports
Women in Sports: Tara Lipinski (1982) wins the Olympic figure skating gold medal.
Sports
Women in Sports: The U.S. women’s hockey team wins the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Sports
Baseball: Mark McGwire''s (1963-) 62nd home run breaks Roger Maris''s record of 61 homers set in 1961.
Sports
Baseball: Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr., sits out a game, ending his consecutive game-playing streak. Ripken played 2,632 consecutive games over 16 seasons.
Popular Culture
The movie "Titanic" surpasses "Star Wars" as the highest grossing U.S. film of all time.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America agrees to pay $34 million to settle an E.E.O.C. lawsuit contending that hundreds of women were sexually harassed.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth; The Supreme Court balances employee and employer rights. It rules that employers are liable for sexual harassment even in instances when a supervisor’s threats are not carried out. But the employer can defend itself by showing that it took steps to prevent or promptly correct any sexually harassing behavior and the employee did not take advantage of available opportunities to stop the behavior or complain of the behavior.
1999
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Former wrestler Jesse Ventura (1951- ) is sworn in as Minnesota’s governor.
Government
Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee is arrested and charged with stealing classified information.
War
NATO begins air strikes over Serbia in an attempt to force the Serbs to stop hostilities against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.
Science
Scientists announce the creation of Element 114.
Education
Women's Firsts: The Citadel in South Carolina graduates its first female cadet, Nancy Mace.
Education
14 students (including the 2 student shooters) and 1 teacher are killed, and 23 others are wounded at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.
Education
Children's Books: J. K. Rowling publishes the second and third books in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."
Kennedy, Jackie
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999), son of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, dies tragically July 17 in a plane crash off Martha’s Vineyard.
Economics
The U.S. Mint begins distribution of the 50 State Quarters.
Economics
The Dow Jones industrial average closes above 10,000 for the first time.
Discovery
Space Exploration: Women’s Firsts: Lt. Col. Eileen Collins (1956- …) is the first woman astronaut to command a space shuttle mission.
Daily Life
Disasters: Kansas and Oklahoma are hit by an outbreak of more than 55 tornadoes, including one measured at F5 on the Fujita scale.
Sports
Basketball: B lack Athletes: Michael Jordan (1963-) announces his second retirement from the NBA. He comes back to play in 2001.
Sports
Hockey great Wayne Gretzky (1961- ) announces his retirement.
Sports
Baseball: New York Yankee David Cone (1963- ) pitches the 16th perfect game in baseball history.
Sports
Baseball: Sammy Sosa (1968- ) becomes the first player in major league baseball history to hit 60 homers in two seasons.
Popular Culture
Susan Lucci (1947- ) finally wins a Daytime Emmy on her 19th nomination.
Religion
A Protestant and Catholic cabinet convene for the first time in Northern Ireland.
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2000
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court rules unanimously that an anonymous tip does not justify a stop-and-frisk action against a person.
Law
The U.S. Supreme Court stops the presidential election recount in Florida and declares George W. Bush the 43rd President of the United States; Richard B. Cheney (1941-) is elected as the 46th Vice President.
Politics
Third Parties: Green Party candidate Ralph Nader (1934-…) takes votes that may otherwise have been cast for Gore in this election.
Politics
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (1942- ) of Connecticut is selected by Al Gore (1948- ) to be the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket.
Politics
Independent Counsel Robert Ray announces the end of the Whitewater investigation, saying there is insufficient evidence to charge President Clinton and his wife, Hilary.
Government
Immigration: INS Commissioner Doris Meissner rules that 6-year old Elian Gonzalez (1994- ) must be returned to Cuba.
Government
Finland elects its first female president.
Government
Colin Powell (1937- ) is selected to become the first African American Secretary of State and Condoleeza Rice to become the first African American National Security Advisor.
War
Terrorism: 17 U.S. sailors are killed during the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.
Science
The first map of the human genome, which required decoding more than 3 billion biochemical "letters" of human DNA, is completed.
Medicine
The mapping of the human genome promises to open whole new avenues of medical knowledge and the treatment of such diseases as cystic fibrosis and diabetes.
Inventions
The Segway Human Transporter (a two-wheeled scooter-like vehicle using five gyroscopes and a built-in computer to remain upright) is invented.
Technology
After years of preparation for Y2K, only minor problems occur as the world "ticks" over into a new millennium.
Education
The Supreme Court rules that student-led prayers at high school football games violate the Constitutional provision against the establishment of religion by the government.
Education
Children's Books: J. K. Rowling publishes the fourth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
Arts and Letters
The fourth of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is published.
Coolidge, Grace
John Coolidge (1906-2000), son of Calvin and Grace Coolidge, dies May 31 at the age of 93. At this time, he is the oldest living child of an American President.
Clinton, Hillary
Hillary Clinton (1947-) becomes the first former First Lady to be elected to the United States Senate.
Economics
The Dow Jones stock average hit $11,722.98.
Economics
Population: The 2000 census reveals a population of 281,421,906.
Discovery
The International Space Station becomes fully staffed.
Daily Life
History of Toys: Crayola: Mess-free art makes moms happy! Color Wonder™, a brand new coloring and drawing technology, is launched. Colorless ink inside Color Wonder Markers pops into living color only on special paper —not walls, skin or clothing.
Daily Life
Disasters: The supersonic airliner Concorde crashes after takeoff outside Paris.
Daily Life
South Carolina passes legislation that mandates the Confederate flag be removed from the South Carolina statehouse.
Sports
Black Athletes: Tiger Woods (1974- ) wins the PGA Championship becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one year.
Sports
Women in Sports: ABC airs a movie about the life of Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne who was born partially blind, ran in 25 marathons, and carried the torch in the International Special Olympics where she has won medals in dozens of events. “The Loretta Claiborne Story” details her life both on and off the track.
Sports
Baseball: For the first time, the Major League baseball season opens in Tokyo, Japan (Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets).
Sports
The Summer Olympics are held in Sydney, Australia.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: The Beatles release a "best of" collection, entitled "1." The CD includes 27 number one hits by the band and, within five weeks, becomes the best selling album of the year.
Religion
The Catholic Church releases a document called "Memory and Reconcilliation," in which it seeks forgiveness for such past errors as persecution of the Jews, the Inquisition, and the practice of coercing conversions.
Religion
Pope John Paul II becomes the first Roman Catholic leader to vitit Israel.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: Vermont Governor, Howard Dean (1948- ), signs the nation's first bill allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions.
Reform
Women's Rights Movement: United States v. Morrison, 529 U.S. 598 (2000). The U.S. Supreme Court invalidates those portions of the Violence Against Women Act permitting victims of rape, domestic violence, etc. to sue their attackers in federal court.
2001
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Vermont senator James Jeffords quits the Republican Party and becomes an Independent, giving Democrats control of the Senate.
Government
The United States, a member of the UN Human Rights Commission since its inception, loses its seat. It is restored the following year.
Government
George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United Stgates; Richard B. Cheney (1941-) is inaugurated as the 46th Vice President.
War
Terrorism: Terrorists attack the United States on September 11 by flying two airplanes into the World Trade Center, and one into the Pentagon. A fourth plane, destined for the Capitol, crashes into the ground in Pennsylvania because some of its passengers made a failed but heroic attempt to recover the aircraft from its terrorist pilots.
War
A memorial honoring Japanese-American veterans and detainees opens on the edge of the Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.
War
War on Terror: The U.S. announces plans to hold Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
War
War on Terror: The Pentagon orders combat aircraft to the Persian Gulf following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
War
War on Terror: U.S. and British forces launch a bombing campaign against the Taliban government and al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan. Taliban forces flee from Kandahar, their last stronghold in Afghanistan.
Science
Astronomers announce the discovery of the first solar system outside our own.
Inventions
Apple Computer introduces the iPod, their portable digital music player.
Technology
Russia's Mir space station ends its 15-year orbit of the Earth, splashing down in the South Pacific.
Education
Evolution: The Kansas Board of Education reverses its 1999 ruling and restores evolution to the state's science curriculum.
Education
Higher Education: Civil Rights Movement: A federal judge rules that the University of Michigan’s affirmative action policy is invalid, a ruling that later is reversed in an appeal.
Education
Public Education: Congress passes a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, called No Child Left Behind. It is the largest, most invasive measure ever taken by the federal government in public education.
Bush, Laura
Laura Welsh Bush (1946-) becomes the First Lady of the United States.
Economics
President Bush (1946- ) permanently normalizes trade relations with China.
Economics
Enron Corp., under CEO Kenneth Lay, files for bankruptcy.
Discovery
Dennis Tito (1940) becomes the first space tourist.
Discovery
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft is the first vehicle to land on an asteroid (433 Eros).
Daily Life
Crime and Punishment: Timothy McVeigh, the 1995 Oklahoma City bomber, is executed.
Daily Life
Vermont''s civil unions law goes into effect, allowing legal unions between gay couples.
Daily Life
Twelve Senate offices are closed when a letter to Senator Tom Daschle is found to contain anthrax.
Sports
Women in Sports: In Brentwood Academy v. Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, the U.S. Supreme Court rules 5-4 that state high school athletic associations are "state actors" and therefore subject to the U.S. Constitution’snondiscrimination requirements. The ruling will help ensure equality for female and minority students in school sports.
Sports
Baseball: October 30, just weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, President George W. Bush throws out the first ball of the third game of the World Series in New York’s Yankee Stadium.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, radio conglomerate Clear Channel Communications reportedly sends out of a list of 150 songs that were recommended to be pulled from airplay. Four Beatles songs were on the list: "A Day in the Life", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Ticket To Ride", and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da". John Lennon's (1940-1980) "Imagine" was also listed.
Religion
Education: The Supreme Court rules that elementary schools must allow after-school activities that are religious in nature to meet in school buildings.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: The Netherlands becomes the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
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2002
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Women's Firsts: Nancy Pelosi (1940- ) of California becomes the first woman to lead a party in Congress.
Government
In his State of the Union Address, President Bush (1946- ) labels Iraq, Iran, and North Korea an “axis of evil.”
Government
President Bush proposes a new Cabinet department: The Department of Homeland Security.
War
War on Terror: John Walker Lindh, the "American Taliban," receives a 20-year sentence.
War
War on Terror: The first al-Qaeda prisoners arrive at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Science
Australian scientists announce that they have "teleported" a laser beam—breaking it up and reconstructing it in another location.
Medicine
In the past 20 years (since 1981), total world AIDS cases are 38 million; total world AIDS deaths are 20 million. In the U.S., 501,669 deaths have occured due to AIDS, out of 886,575 reported cases.
Inventions
Robotic land rovers for exploration on Mars are invented by NASA.
Arts and Letters
After 17,162 performances, "The Fantasticks" ends its almost 42-year off Broadway run.
Carter, Rosalynn
Former president Jimmy Carter (1924- ) is the first U.S. president (in or out of office) to visit Fidel Castro's Cuba.
Economics
Euro coins and notes go into circulation in twelve European nations.
Economics
WorldCom files for bankruptcy, the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Discovery
Space shuttle Endeavor is launched: Shuttle to deliver a new crew from to the international space station, Alpha, and will bring the outgoing space station crew back to Earth.
Daily Life
History of Toys: Crayola: The first Crayola colors named for a region of the United States are introduced to commemorate the grand opening of Crayola Works™ Creativity Studio & Store, the first-ever interactive Crayola retail experience, located near Baltimore.
Daily Life
The color-coded terror alert system is unveiled by Homeland Security.
Sports
A French judge is accused of throwing the pairs skating decision to the Russians at the Olympics; the issue is resolved by awarding two medals--to the Canadian and the Russian pairs.
Sports
Baseball: Baseball's All-Star Game ends in a tie after 11 innings. Both sides run out of pitchers.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Women in Sports: Black Athletes: Basketball: Lisa Leslie (1972- ) becomes the first woman to dunk in a professional basketball game.
Sports
Women in Sports: Serena Williams wins the NASDAQ 100 Open Tennis Masters Series over Jennifer Capriati in Key Biscayne.
Sports
Baseball: Tsuyoshi Shinjo, an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, became the first Japanese player to take part in a World Series Game.
Sports
Black Athletes: Olympic gold medalist (winter games): Vonetta Flowers (1973-…) wins gold medal for bobsled.
Popular Culture
Halle Berry (1966- ) becomes the first African-American actress to win a best actress Oscar and Denzel Washington (1954- ) becomes the second African-American actor to get the best actor award.
Popular Culture
Hot Air Balloons: Steve Fossett (1944- ) becomes the first to circumnavigate the globe solo in a balloon.
Religion
Boston archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law resigns as a result of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals and cover-up of priest-child molestation.
Social Issues
Illegal drugs: England to Relax Marijuana Laws: Police will not arrest people who use drug in small amounts, but will vigorously pursue dealers.
2003
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
The U.S. House passes the "Amber Alert" bill. It provides a system for alerting the public about missing or abducted children.
Government
Capital Punishment: Outgoing Illinois governor George Ryan clears the state’s death row by commuting the sentences of 167 inmates.
Government
Iraq's interim governing council is inaugurated.
War
Millions of protesters around the world demonstrate against the threat of a U.S. war on Iraq.
War
Iraq War: President Bush (1946- ) delivers an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein: leave Iraq within 48 hours or face an attack.
War
Iraq War: Operation Iraqi Freedom is launched with air strikes on Baghdad, the beginning of the war with Iraq (March 20 in Iraq).
War
Iraq War: American Marines pull down Saddam Hussein’s statue in Baghdad after U.S. commanders declare that his rule has ended.
War
Iraq War: President Bush (1946- ) makes a speech aboard an aircraft carrier proclaiming “major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”
War
American forces capture Saddam Hussein (1937- ) who is hiding in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit.
War
Muammar al-Qaddafi of Libya announces that his country will discontinue development of weapons of mass destruction.
Science
Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, is euthanized because of incurable lung cancer.
Science
Mars makes its closest approach to earth in 60,000 years.
Science
The most distant object ever found in our solar system, named Sedna, is discovered by astronomers at the Mount Palomar Observatory.
Inventions
Putting two "hot button" items together, the camera phone is invented.
Technology
The Space Shuttle Columbia blasts off on what is intended to be its final mission; tragically, the craft breaks apart during its final descent on February 1, killing all aboard.
Technology
NASA launches the infrared Spitzer Space Telescope.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: In the Grutter v. Bollinger case, however, the Supreme Court determines that point system by which Michigan admits undergraduate freshmen is too mechanistic and thus is unconstitutional.
Education
Civil Rights Movement: The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the University of Michigan's School of Law affirmative action policy because it serves “a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body.”
Education
Children's Books: The fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is published.
Economics
American Money: U.S. currency begins to feature diferent colors, starting with the $20 note, which has subtle background colors of green, peach, and blue.
Economics
The UN Security Council approves a resolution lifting the economic sanctions against Iraq and supporting the U.S.-led administration in Iraq.
Economics
President Bush (1946- ) signs a $350 billion tax cut into law; the third largest tax cut in U.S. history.
Economics
The national do-not-call registry, formed to combat unwanted telemarketing calls and administered by the Federal Trade Commission, enrolls almost three-quarters of a million phone numbers on its first day.
Discovery
The European Space Agency launches the Mars Express probe.
Discovery
Contact with the lander Beagle 2 is lost in December.
Daily Life
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Hispanics have surpassed Blacks as the largest minority group.
Daily Life
The largest blackout in North American history hits the northeast.
Sports
Lance Armstrong (1971- ) wins his fifth straight Tour de France, tying Miguel Indurain's record.
Sports
Baseball: Red Sox switch hitter Bill Mueller becomes the first baseball player to hit grand slam home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Women in Sports: Basketball: Pat Summitt becomes the first coach in women''s basketball to win 800 career games when her Lady Vols beat DePaul 76-57. She is just the fourth coach in Division I to post 800 victories, and the first woman. Her record stands at 800-161 in 29 seasons with six national championships.
Popular Culture
Arnold Schwarzenegger (1947- ) announces his candidacy to replace Gray Davis as governor of California to Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.
Popular Culture
The Beatles: In March, 2003, the Anthology television series was released on DVD with additional bonus material.
Religion
Spain opens its first mosque (in Granada) since the Moors were expelled in 1492.
Religion
Alabama's chief justice, Roy Moore, is suspended for refusing to move a Ten Commandments monument from the state courthouse.
Religion
Reverand V. Gene Robinson is elected the first openly gay bishop by New Hampshire Episcopalians.
Reform
Marriage Equality: Ontario, Canada issues the first full same-sex marriage licenses in North America.
Reform
The Georgia legislature votes to scrap the "Confederate flag" design from its state flag.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: Belgium becomes the second nation to leagalize same-sex marriage, with some restrictions, which were lifted in 2004.
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2004
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
George W. Bush (1946 -) is re-elected as the President of the United States and Richard B. Cheney (1941-) is re-elected as Vice President.
Government
President Hamid Karzai (1957- ) signs the new constitution of Afghanistan.
War
Iraq War: The Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal first comes to light when graphic photos of U.S. soldiers physically abusing and humiliating Iraqi prisoners are shown on CBS's 60 Minutes II.
War
In his second State of the Union Address, President Bush (1946- ) presents case for war with Iraq.
Science
Scientists report the discovery of Sedna, the most distant object in the solar system.
Science
A small asteroid makes the closest approach to Earth ever recorded, only about 26,500 miles away.
Technology
Michael Melville (1964- ) pilots the first privately developed spacecraft, Space Ship One, into space.
Education
Children's Books: J. K. Rowling publishes the fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
Arts and Letters
Pablo Picasso's (1881- 1973) "Boy with a Pipe" becomes the most expensive painting ever sold.
Arts and Letters
A version of Edvard Munch's (1863-1944) painting "The Scream" is stolen in Norway; another version had been stolen in 1994.
Reagan, Nancy
Former president Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) dies of pneumonia at his home in California, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for a decade. He is the longest-living U.S. President--93 years, 120 days, breaking the record previously held by John Adams (1735-1826).
Economics
American Money: The new $50 note features subtle background colors and highlights historical symbols of Americana--specific to the $50 note are background colors of blue and red, and images of a waving American flag and a small silver-blue star.
Daily Life
Terrorism: Over 200 people are killed and over 1,400 are injured when bombs explode in Madrid train stations; Al-Qaeda takes responsibility for the attacks.
Sports
Lance Armstrong (1971- ) wins the Tour de France for a record-breaking sixth time.
Sports
The National Hockey League lockout begins. The 2004-2005 season will ultimately be canceled.
Sports
Baseball: After an 86-year wait, the Boston Red Sox finally capture a World Series trophy.
Sports
Women in Sports: The National Women's Party presents the 2004 Alice Award to Billie Jean King for her contributions to women in sports.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: In Massachusetts, same-sex couples exchange marriage vows for the first time in the United States.
2005
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
Capital Punishment: The U.S. Supreme Court rules the death penalty unconstitutional for juveniles who committed their crimes under age 18.
Law
Chief Justices: President George W. Bush (1946--) nominates John Roberts (1955--) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and he is confirmed by the Senate.
Government
George W. Bush (1946 -) is inaugurated as the President of the United States and Richard B. Cheney (1941-) is inaugurated as Vice President.
Government
Women’s Firsts: Condoleezza Rice (1954- ) becomes the first African-American female Secretary of State.
War
Iraq War: U.S. troops begin major offensive in Anbar Province, the heart of the Iraqi insurgency.
War
Terrorism: A massive suicide bomb blast in central Beirut kills Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Hariri and at least 15 other people. At least 135 other people were also hurt.
War
Uzbek troops kill up to 700 during protests in eastern Uzbekistan over the trials of 23 accused Islamic extremists. President Islam Karimov defends the act.
Science
The Huygens probe lands on Saturn's moon Titan
Medicine
The first human face transplant is performed in France.
Inventions
YouTube, the online video sharing and viewing community, is invented.
Technology
Sony's PlayStation 3 makes it's debut at the E3 trade show.
Technology
Apple Computer announces they will switch to Intel processors in 2006.
Education
The 6th Harry Potter book by J. K. Rowling is released: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
Education
Children's Books: J. K. Rowling publishes the sixth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
Economics
Oil prices rise sharply following economic effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Economics
The world's largest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, is formed by the merger of two Japanese banking conglomerates.
Discovery
Space Exploration: Space Shuttle Discovery is launched; this is the first Space Shuttle flight in the nearly two and a half years since the breakup of Columbia on its return from space.
Daily Life
Disasters: At least 1,383 are killed, and severe damage is caused along the U.S. Gulf Coast, as Hurricane Katrina strikes the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coastal areas. Within hours, levees give way and New Orleans is flooded.
Daily Life
The United States' 11th Circuit Court of Appeals' 2-1 decision refuses to order the reinsertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.
Daily Life
The Huffington Post weblog makes it's debut.
Sports
Football: The New England Patriots defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 to win their third Super Bowl in four years.
Sports
The National Hockey League cancels its 2004-2005 season becoming the first North American professional league to cancel a season due to a labour dispute.
Sports
Baseball: The Chicago White Sox sweep the Houston Astros to win their first World Series in 88 years.
Sports
Lance Armstrong wins a record seventh straight Tours de France before his scheduled retirement.
Sports
Women in Sports: the organizers of the New York City Marathon, announce they will award its women's champion $30,000 more than its men's winner for the November 2005 race. The $130,000 for the women's champion will be the biggest first prize for any marathon. This may be the first time a sports event pays more to a woman than a man in the same competition.
Popular Culture
"Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" is released, effectively completing the Star Wars movie saga begun by George Lucas in 1977 and shattering the opening day box-office record with $50,013,859.
Popular Culture
Microsoft releases the Xbox 360 gaming console in North America.
Religion
Pope John Paul II dies, causing widespread grief in the world; Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is elected Pope Benedict XVI on the second day of the Papal conclave.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: Spain and Canada join Belgium and the Netherlands in legalizing same-sex marriage.
Reform
Labor Movement: New York City transit strike: New York City's Transport Workers Union Local 100 goes on strike for three days, shutting down all New York City Subway and Bus services.
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2006
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court rules that military tribunals cannot be set up to try prisoners in the absence of Congressional authorization and that prisoners are entitled to fair trials under the Geneva Conventions.
Politics
Democrats win both houses of Congress in the mid-term election on November 7.
Government
The Conservative Party of Canada becomes a minority government in Canada's Parliament, replacing the Liberals after 13 years in power. Stephen Harper becomes the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada.
Government
Women's Firsts: Michelle Bachelet (1951-) is inaugurated as first female president of Chile.
Government
Donald Rumsfeld (1932-) resigns as U.S. Secretary of Defense; Robert Gates is sworn in as the new Secretary of Defense.
Government
Women's Firsts: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (1951-) is sworn in as Liberia’s new president. She becomes Africa's first female elected head of state.
Government
President Bush signs a law renewing the Patriot Act, including a signing statement stating that he does not consider himself bound by its requirement to tell Congress how the law is being used.
War
Iraq War: Zacarias Moussaoui is sentenced to life in prison for terrorism in Alexandria, Virginia.
War
The Israel-Lebanon war begins; a cease-fire goes into effect on August 14.
War
The F-14 Tomcat is retired from the United States Navy.
War
Iraq War: Sadr City bombing attacks kill at least 215 Iraqis.
War
Iraq War: Saddam Hussein is hanged in Baghdad.
Science
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announces that Iran has successfully enriched uranium.
Science
A science team at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign successfully convert pig waste into crude oil.
Science
Pluto's newly discovered moons are officially christened Nix & Hydra on this date.
Science
Pluto is demoted to a 'dwarf planet' by the International Astronomical Union.
Science
Official naming of element 111, Roentgenium (Rg).
Science
NASA reveals photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars.
Medicine
In Scotland the prohibition of smoking in all substantially enclosed public places comes into force.
Medicine
The last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) is decommissioned by the United States Army.
Inventions
Apple_inc. is granted the patent to their revolutionary device, the iPod. (patent # D516,576)
Technology
The 1 billionth song was downloaded on ITunes; the song was "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay.
Technology
Microsoft's official support of Windows 98 and Windows Me ends.
Technology
Nintendo launches the Wii.
Arts and Letters
Stolen on August 22, 2004, Edvard Munch's famous painting The Scream was recovered from a raid by Norwegian police. The painting was said to be in a better-than-expected condition.
Arts and Letters
The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, perhaps the leading regional theatre in the country, moves into its new home, a building designed by French architect Jean Nouvel to “create a link with the history of the city.” The building deliberately resembles aging factories and grain silos along the Mississippi River.
Ideas
English-language “Wikipedia” reaches its one millionth article, Jordanhill railway station.
Bush, Laura
Laura Welch Bush (1946-) receives an award from the Kuwait-American Foundation honoring her dedication to improving the living conditions and education of children around the world.
Clinton, Hillary
Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947-) is re-elected to her second term as junior Senator from New York.
Ford, Betty
Gerald R. Ford ( 1913-2006) dies at home in California at the age of 93.
Economics
Western Union discontinues use of its telegram service.
Economics
Dubai Ports World agrees to postpone its plans to take over management of six U.S. ports after the proposal ignited harsh bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill.
Economics
The world's estimated population reaches 6.5 billion.
Economics
Construction begins on the Freedom Tower for the new World Trade Center in New York City.
Economics
The Dow closes above 12,000 for the first time.
Economics
United States population reaches 300 million people.
Economics
American Money: The new $10 note features subtle shades of color and symbols of freedom--colors are orange, yellow and red, along with images of the Statue of Liberty's torch and the words "We, the People" from the U.S. Constitution.
Discovery
The New Horizons probe is launched by NASA on the first mission to Pluto.
Discovery
Final contact attempt with Pioneer 10 by the Deep Space Network. No response is received.
Discovery
Liquid water is discovered on Enceladus, the sixth largest moon of Saturn.
Discovery
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter arrives at Mars.
Discovery
Space Shuttle program: STS-121 Mission - Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 18:37:55 UTC.
Daily Life
A powerful Nor'easter Winter Storm blankets the Northeastern United States dumping 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington DC up to Boston, Massachusetts. The storm dumped a record 26.9 inches of snow in New York City.
Daily Life
The largest string of firecrackers ever assembled is ignited in Buchanan, Wisconsin. It contains an estimated 10,500,000 firecrackers.
Daily Life
The Louisiana Superdome reopens after 13 months of reconstruction due to Hurricane Katrina.
Daily Life
An explosion in a coal mine leads to the death of 12 of 13 miners in the 2006 Sago Mine disaster in West Virginia.
Sports
The XX Olympic Winter Games open in Turin, Italy.
Sports
The only successful drop kick in the last sixty years in the NFL was Made by Doug Flutie, the third-string quarterback of the New England Patriots, against the Miami Dolphins for an extra point after a touchdown pass by second-string quarterback Matt Cassel.
Sports
The Harlem Globetrotters extend their overall record to 22,000 wins.
Sports
Andre Agassi retires after winning 60 career titles.
Sports
'Black Athletes: Olympic gold medalist (winter games; individual): Shani Davis (1982-…) wins gold medal for 1,000 m speed skating.
Popular Culture
The Rolling Stones made the largest show open to the public of the world in Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 1.3 million people went to the show.
Popular Culture
The Al Jazeera English global 24h news channel is launched.
Popular Culture
"The Phantom of the Opera" surpasses the record set by "Cats" for the title of longest running show on Broadway.
Religion
Pope Benedict XVI adds 15 men to the College of Cardinals, in the first consistory of his Pontificate.
Religion
Katharine J. Schori Is elected Presiding Bishop of the Episocpailiam Church USA.
Social Issues
Abortion: South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds signs a bill into legislation that would ban most abortions in the state.
Social Issues
Peace Corps: Now, the Peace Corps are trying to double the number of volunteers it sends abroad by 2007. This is in accordance with Bush's (1946- ) request in 2002.
Reform
Human Rights Movement: The United Nations General Assembly votes overwhelmingly to establish the UN Human Rights Council.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: South Africa becomes the fifth country, the first in Africa, the second outside Europe, and the first republic to legalize same-sex marriage.
2007
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Some 3,700 people attend the state funeral for President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006)in Washington, D.C.
Government
Women's Firsts: Nancy Pelosi is elected Speaker of the House, by a vote of 233-202, making her the first woman to hold the leadership post.
Science
A three-year study by the influential Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says global warming is very likely caused by human activity—specifically the emission and buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Report also says that the rise in temperatures and rising seas can be curtailed with quick action.
Inventions
The iPhone is invented by Apple.
Education
Children's Books: J. K. Rowling publishes the seventh and last of the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows."
Education
Women's firsts: The Board of Overseers votes to name Drew Gilpin Faust, a historian, as the university’s first female president in its 371-year history.
Economics
American Money: The U.S. Mint issues a new dollage coin. The first one features President Washington. The Mint plans to introduce a new dollar coin four times a year, one for each president of the United States, from Washington to Ford.
Economics
Vietnam becomes the 150th member of the World Trade Organization.
Discovery
The Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-117, begins its mission.
Daily Life
The Nobel Peace Prize 2007 was awarded jointly to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr. "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change"
Sports
Baseball: The Boston Red Sox win the World Series for the second time in four years, defeating the Colorado Rockies four games straight.
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2008
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The Supreme Court rules, 5 to 4, that the Constitution protects an individual's right to possess a gun, but insists that the ruling "is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose."
Politics
Barack H. Obama (1941-) and Senator Joe Biden (1942-) are elected President and Vice President of the U.S., defeating Senator John McCain (1936-) and Governor Sarah Palin (1964-).
Government
President George W. Bush signs the 700 billion dollar TARP program into law.
War
War in Iraq: The U.S. suffers its 4,000th death in Iraq: A roadside bomb in Baghdad kills four U.S. soldiers, bringing the death toll of American troops to 4,000. President Bush said of the losses, "I have vowed in the past, and I will vow so long as I'm president, to make sure that those lives were not lost in vain, that, in fact, there is an outcome that will merit the sacrifice."
Science
An 160 square mile part of the Antarctic ice shelf disintegrates.
Education
Common Core: The Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership, receives a $2.2 million grant from the Gates Foundation to promote the adoption of national standards among governors, hosts a conference with the National Governors Association (NGA) to explore strategies to make the United States a global leader in education
Education
Common Core: The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officials (CCSSO) begin accepting grants from private organizations to write Common Core
Education
Common Core: NGA, CCSSO, and Achieve provide the Obama Administration with Benchmarking for Success outlining the state adoption of a common core of internationally benchmarked standards and assuring that state textbooks, curricula, and assessments are aligned to these standards as two of the top five priorities.
Arts and Letters
Kay Ryan (1945-), who has won the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and awards from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts for her philosophical yet humorous poems, succeeds Charles Simic as U.S. Poet Laureate and will be the 16th person to hold this honor.
Economics
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the jobless rate increases from 5% to 5.5%, the biggest monthly increase in 22 years.
Economics
Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy.
Economics
Oil reaches $100 per barrel for the first time.
Economics
The U.S. economy loses jobs for the first time in 52 months: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 17,000 jobs were eliminated in January. The figures increase fears of an imminent recession.
Discovery
A new module is added to the International Space Station: The Atlantis delivers the Columbus science laboratory, a $2 billion module that will double the station’s zero-gravity research capacity, and Europe’s most recent contribution to the ISS.
Discovery
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft lands in the polar region on Mars.
Sports
The 2008 Summer Olympics begin in Beijing, China.
Sports
Women''s Firsts: Danica Patrick (1982-) wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race.
Religion
During his first visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI says he is "deeply ashamed" by the scandal that has rocked the Catholic church in recent years.
Social Issues
Racism: Senator Barack Obama gives a pivotal speech on race in America in which he goes a long way toward explaining the legacy of racism among African Americans.
Reform
Environmental Action: At their annual meeting, members of the Group of 8, the U.S., Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada, and Russia, set goals to cut in half by 2050 the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment. Critics say shorter-term goals should have been set.
Reform
Marriage Equality: In a 4 to 3 ruling, California''s highest court says that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. When the ruling goes into effect, California will be the second state, behind Massachusetts, to legalize same-sex marriages. The ruling is later overturned, and Connecticut becomes the second state to legalize marriage equality.
2009
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Government
Barack H. Obama (1961-) is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States and Senator Joseph R. Biden (1942-)is inaugurated as the 47th Vice President.
Government
U.S. Senate Committee passes healthcare reform bill, hailed as a 'critical milestone' by President Obama.
Science
European astronomers discover 32 extrasolar planets, or exoplanets - planets that orbit a star other than the Sun.
Science
A solar eclipse, the longest in history, lasts up to 6 minutes and 38.8 seconds, over parts of Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
Science
A new species of a giant carnivorous plant, Nepethes attenboroughii, is discovered in the central Phillipines highlands.
Science
A new kind of flying reptile fossil, Darwinopterus, lived over 160 million years ago, is found in China.
Medicine
Epidemics: Concern about spreading influenza from Mexico and the United States to other countries is expressed by the World Health Organization.
Medicine
The "swine flu", the H1N1 influenza strain is the first condition deemed a global pandemic since the Hong Kong flu of 1967 - 1968.
Medicine
U.S. Scientists believe to have discovered an antibody that can miminize internal bleeding in trauma victims.
Education
Common Core: The RTTT program is announced. Applying states had to demonstrate their willingness and readiness to adopt common “college- and career-ready” standards. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) initiative is launched, and 48 states sign a memorandum committing to the development of standards. The first draft of CCSS is released by NGA and CCSSO.
Arts and Letters
Two previously unknown works by Mozart - a concerto movement and a prelude, are performed in Salzburg, Austria.
Arts and Letters
Common Core: The American Recovery and Restoration Act authorizes the Race to the Top program (RTTT), and Secretary Duncan announces that $5 billion have been allotted for education incentives.
Discovery
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/LCROSS is launched by NASA to probe the Moon.
Daily Life
A U.S. Airways plane ditches in the Hudson River - all 155 passengers survive.
Daily Life
A crowd of 50,000 people participate in a memorial service at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Religion
The Russian Orthodox Church enthrones Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow as Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Reform
Marriage Equality: Sweden and Norway join five other nations in legalizing same-sex marriage.
Reform
Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia legalize marriage equality.
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2010
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
President Obama nominates Solicitor General Elena Kagan as a Justice on the Supreme Court and she is confirmed. She is the youngest Justice and third woman to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States
Government
U.S. Congress narrowly passes the controversial Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (called by its detractors, "Obamacare."
Science
The Stonehenge World Heritage Site announces the discovery of a possible new henge, the biggest discovery at a major monument in over 50 years.
Science
Denisova hominin - a previously unknown type of ancient human, is identified by scientists through DNA analysis from a finger discovered in a cave near Siberia, Russia.
Science
Scientists announce the discovery of three new animal species that spent their entire lives without oxygen; the species are phylum Loricifera.
Science
The theory that Egypt's pyramids were built by free workers, not slaves, is reinforced by the discovery of new tombs near the great pyramids.
Inventions
The Instagram app is created in October by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger as a photo- and video-sharing and social networking service
Technology
Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, unveils a new invention, a tablet PC called the iPad, at a press conference in San Francisco.
Education
Common Core: The second draft of CCSS is released in March. The final Common Core State Standards are published in June.
Education
Common Core: Race To The Top Stage II application revision deadline Occurs. Revisions must demonstrate each state’s implementation efforts. Thirty-one states (and the District of Columbia) have already adopted the Common Core. By December, Ten more states have adopted the Common Core.
Education
Museums: The Wittelsback-Graff Diamond, a 31.06-carat Fancy Deep Blue diamond, once part of the Austrian and Bavarian Crown jewels, is placed on display at the Smithsonian.
Arts and Letters
An auction at Christie's in New York sets a record for the most expensive work of art sold at auction when it sells Pablo Picasso's 'Nude, Green Leaves and Bust' for $106 million.
Arts and Letters
Photographic negatives purchased at a garage sale prove to be early works by American photographer Ansel Adams.
Economics
The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that exploded off the coast of Louisiana two days ago, sinks; the resulting oil spill becomes the largest in the history of the U.S. The well is not finally completely capped until September.
Economics
The U.S. Senate investigates Goldman Sachs, finding that they made billions of dollars at the expense of clients during the housing market collapse.
Economics
China surpasses Germany, becoming the. world's largest exporter.
Economics
In response to the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, BP agrees to finance a $20 billion fund to compensate those whose livelihood has been damaged.
Economics
The U.S. Census is conducted, showing a 9.7% increase in population totalling 308,745,538 people.
Discovery
Australian researchers discover the first plane taken to Antarctica in 1912.
Discovery
U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavor launches from the Kennedy Space Center, successfully beginning a two-week mission to the International Space Station.
Daily Life
Ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano drifts towards Europe, causing air traffic to close over Northern Norway.
Daily Life
Planes across the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia are grounded as a result of the volcanic ash coming from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
Sports
The 2010 Winter Olympics are held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Sports
Men's freestyle skiing moguls competitor, Alexandre Bilodeau, wins the first gold medal Canada has ever won on home soil at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Popular Culture
James Cameron's film, "Avatar," surpasses his 1997 film "Titanic," and becomes the highest grossing film of all time.
Religion
The Vatican approves of Australian Mary MacKillop as their first saint for canonization.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: A bill to allow same-sex civil unions is vetoed by Linda Lingle, U.S. governor of Hawaii.
Reform
Gay Rights Movement: Argentina, Iceland, and Portugal bring to 10 the number of nations that have legalized same-sex mattiage.
2011
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Politics
Politics: Michelle Bachmann announces she will seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States.
Government
Government: The 112th U.S. Congress is convened; Rep. John Boehner of Ohio becomes Speaker of the House.
War
War in Iraq: The last convoy of U.S. Army soldiers leaves Iraq, formally marking the end of the Iraq War.
War
War on Terror: U.S. President Barack Obama announces that Osama bin Laden, founder of the militant Islamist group Al-Quaeda was killed by American military operatives.
Science
Scientists claim that 2010 was the warmest year ever recorded, and the last decade the warmest decade in 200 years
Science
Neptune completes its first orbit of the sun since the planet was discovered in 1846.
Science
NASA reveals its Space Launch System plan, intended to replace the Space Shuttle program with its first flight scheduled for 2017.
Science
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 2010 greenhouse gas levels are higher than a worst case scenario set by climate experts in 2007.
Medicine
Researchers reveal two studies showing the antiretroviral drugs prescribed to treat AIDS can also prevent HIV infections.
Medicine
Medicine: Washington State University researchers develop an artificial bone 'scaffold' which uses 3D printers to print replacement bone tissue for injured patients.
Medicine
The world's first artificial organ transplant is achieved, using an artificial windpipe coated with stem cells.
Technology
Google's new social network service, Google+, is released to the general public.
Technology
Apple releases the i4S smart phone.
Education
Common Core: Four more states join the list of states implementing the Common Core Standards, making a total of 45 states involved in the process of creating common curriculum and testing standards
Education
The U.S. Library of Congress intends to preserve the thriller 'Silence of the Lambs' as part of its National Film Registry.
Arts and Letters
A 450-year-old painting of the Madonna and Child by Titian sets a record at Sothby’s, selling for $16.9 million.
Ford, Betty
Elizabeth Anne (“Betty”) Warren Ford dies on July 8 at the Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 93.
Ford, Betty
First Lady Michelle Obama, and former first ladies Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Hillary Rodham Clinton attend the funeral for Betty Ford on July 12.
Reagan, Nancy
Nancy Reagan hosts a National Debate among Republican Presidental candidate for the 2012 election at the Reagan Presidential Library.
Economics
U.S. Census finds that 49.1 million people are living below the poverty line.
Economics
The value of Facebook is estimated at $50 billion.
Economics
A 28 billion merger between Comcast and NBC Universal is approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
Discovery
A skull believed to be 20-million years old is discovered in a Uganda; the skull is believed to be from a tree-climbing ape.
Discovery
Researchers in Fairbanks, Alaska discover the remains of a 3-year-old child from the Ice Age.
Daily Life
Nintendo's new video game system, the Wii U is introduced; it has a touch-screen display designed as a bridge between portable and tablet-based games and console video games.
Sports
In Superbowl XLV, the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburg Steelers 31-25.
Sports
Major League Baseball history is made when Derek Jeeter of the New York Yankees hits a home run against Tampa Bay, becoming the 28th member of the 3,000 hit club.
Popular Culture
The Academy of Country Music Awards 2010 selects Taylor Swift winner of the 2010 Entertainer of the Year award
Popular Culture
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts Dr.John, Tom Waits, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love and Neil Diamond into its Hall of Fame.
Popular Culture
The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show is recorded in Chicago, Illinois.
Religion
The 14th Dalai Lama, head of the Tibetan exile movement, plans to retire within days
Religion
Pope Benedict XVI announces the launch of a new Vatican website, news.va; he also performs the first tweet ever made by a pope.
Social Issues
Equal Rights: The U.S. officially ends its Don't ask, don't tell military policy, allowing gay and lesbian personnel to publicly declare their sexual orientation.
Social Issues
Gun Violence: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is shot in a Tuscon, AZ rampage that killed 6 people and wounded 14.
Social Issues
Labor Movement: The Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Wisconsin Act 10, a law that considerably restricts the right of public employees such as teachers, fire and police employees, public park workers, etc. to bargain collectively.
Reform
The Occupy Wall Street Movement begins in New York City as a protest against claimed unfair distribution of wealth in the U.S. Demonstrations occur all over the U.S., and, eventually, in a number of other countries.
Reform
Marriage Equality: The state of New York legalizes marriage equality
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2012
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that minor's cannot be automatically be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Politics
The Republican party's presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney names Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Congressman, as the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate in the November 2012 presidential election. Both are formally nominated at the Republican National Convention.
Politics
President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party's nomination as candidate for the 2102 Presidential election. Vice President Joe Biden remains on the ticket.
Politics
President Barack Obama is reelected for a second term as President of the United States, and Joe Biden continues as Vice President.
Government
Outgoing U.S. Senator Jim DeMint is replaced by GOP Congressman Tim Scott, the first black senator from the South since 1881.
War
Vietnam: For the first time since the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the United States plans to help clean up herbicide Agent Orange from areas in Vietnam.
War
War on Terror
War
The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is attacked by terrorists; U.S. Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed as well as three others; the Cairo embassy was also attacked.
Science
NASA's Curiosity Rover, a car-size mobile laboratory, lands on Mars in August.
Science
Scientists believe a link exists between the disappearance of endangered languages and cultures and a loss of biodiversity.
Science
Global Warming
Science
Scientists reveal new research identifying a mechanism by which Earth-warming carbon is pulled deep into the Southern Ocean, and locked away; scientists claim this process may be threatened by global warming.
Science
Curiosity, the Mars rover, broadcasts its first audio recording of a human voice from the surface of another planet. Curiosity also discovers what could be determined as direct evidence of a fast-moving stream bed, a prior water source, on Mars.
Medicine
Swedish doctors perform the world's first stem cell assisted vein transplant on a 10-year old girl.
Medicine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves of Truvada, the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection
Inventions
Scientists at Stanford University invent a working bionic eye that is powered only by focused light; the eye could eventually restore the sight of millions of people suffering from macular degeneration and retinal pigmentosa.
Technology
IBM announces it is on the cusp of creating the world's first quantum computer.
Technology
Sequoia, IMB's Blue Gene/Q system installed at the Department of Energy becomes the world's fastest supercomputer.
Education
Public Schooling. The Chicago Public Schools Teachers Union go on strike for the first time in 25 years; they reach a deal with the Chicago school district 8 days later.
Education
Public Schooling. New teacher-evaluation systems and merit pay spread across the country. Technology continues to transform classrooms, and presidential candidates make education an unexpected focus on the campaign trail. Results are mixed.
Education
Common Core: Wyoming adopts the Common Core standards, for a total of 46 states. Five more states begin full implementation during the 2012-2013 school year. States across the country continue to tailor addendums and suggested teacher resources to prepare for implementation.
Arts and Letters
Love letters written between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning are published online by Wellesley College and Baylor University.
Arts and Letters
An early work by noted childhood fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, titled, 'The Tallow Candle", is found at the bottom of a filing box at the National Archives of Funen, Denmark.
Arts and Letters
A painting by Francis Bacon sells at Christies for 21.3 million pounds; 'The Portrait of Henrietta Moraes' is the second most valuable post-war contemporary art sold at the auction house.
Carter, Rosalynn
100 more homes are built in Haiti as part of the Carter Center Work Project and Habitat for Humanity.
Carter, Rosalynn
Rosalynn Carter speaks at the ribbon cutting for phase one of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University.
Bush, Barbara
Speaking at a Conference about First Ladies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Barbara Bush called the 2012 presidential campaign "the worst campaign I've seen in my life," referring to the inability of candidates to compromise and the overall negativity of the campaign in general.
Clinton, Hillary
Hilary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State, faints from dehydration and sustains a concussion after falling in her home.
Bush, Laura
Laura Bush continues her campaign for women’s rights in the Middle East by writing an editorial in the Washington Post on the occasion of the shooting of Malala Yousafzai on a school bus in Afghanistan. At the time, Malala was in a hospital in England, fighting for her life.
Obama, Michelle
Michelle Obama gives a well-received major speech supporting her husband at the Democratic National Convention.
Economics
The first commercial spacecraft, SpaceX Dragon, docks with the International Space Station on May 25 at 12:02pm EDT.
Economics
Apple, Inc. reports over 37 million iPhones and over 15 million iPads were sold during the 2011 fourth quarter; the company generated over $127 billion in revenue.
Economics
The U.S. Census Bureau reports the world now has 7 billion people.
Economics
The nearly finished One World Trade Center overtakes the Empire State Building as the tallest building in New York City.
Discovery
Scientists discover two new species of prehistoric penguins, Kairuku waitaki and Kairuku grebneffi, which stood over five feet tall.
Daily Life
Facebook purchases Instagram, a photo sharing application, for $1 billion.
Daily Life
Over 60 people die in the Mid-Atlantic states as the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy leaves millions without electricity and cripples its mass transportation system.
Daily Life
U.S. voters in the state of Massachusetts approve a referendum legalizing the use of medical marijuana; Colorado and Washington approve the legalization of recreational use of the drug.
Sports
Tennis pro Serena Williams beats Agnieszka Radwanska in the Women's Singles final at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships.
Sports
U.S. Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps wins a record 19th Olympic medal, with gold in the 4x200metres freestyle relay.
Sports
Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, announces he will not contest the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency charges of doping, a result of which will include being stripped of all of his tour de France victories.
Sports
In Orlando, Golf pro Tiger Woods wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational tournament; this is his first PGA Tour victory since 2009.
Popular Culture
A poll by the British Film Institute's 'Sight and Sound' magazine lists Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 thriller 'Vertigo' as the greatest film of all time.
Popular Culture
The Rolling Stones, English rock band, celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its first performance at the Marquee Club in Oxford Street, London.
Popular Culture
Eli Young Band wins song of the year for 'Crazy Girl' and Taylor Swift wins 'Entertainer of the Year' at the 2012 Academy of Country Music awards.
Popular Culture
The Broadway show, 'The Lion King', becomes the highest grossing show of all time, overtaking 'Phantom of the Opera'.
Religion
A biblical picture of Samson and a Hebrew inscription is discovered in an ancient synagogue in the Galilee region of northern Israel.
Religion
Pope Benedict XVI adds Arabic to the number of languages broadcasting the weekly Vatican address.
Religion
Two studies come out in 2012 that firmly established a new religious category that appears to be rapidly growing. Those claiming ‘No Religion’ or the ‘Nones,’ as they have become known, rose to almost 20 percent of the American population. One in 6 people around the world now consider themselves religiously ‘unaffiliated,’ making it the world's third-largest religious grouping.
Religion
The Vatican announces a crackdown on American Roman Catholic Nuns over issues of social justice and women’s leadership.
Religion
Sister Simone Campbell, leader of the “Nuns on the Bus” campaign against Vice-Presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s proposed budged, swings through the Midwest, including a protest at Sen. Ryan’s office.
Social Issues
Gun Violence: In Connecticut, a shooter kills 29 people, including 20 children, himself and his mother at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Reform
Marriage Equality: Maine, Maryland, Washington, Rhode Island and Delaware legalize marriage equality.
Reform
California's Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in that state is overturned by the U.S. States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
2013
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
A portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protects minority voting rights, is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, ruling that Congress has not taken into account the nation's racial progress when singling out certain states for federal oversight.
Politics
Republican Representative Ted Cruz urged grass-roots activists join him in the fight to defund The Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare.
Government
President Barack Obama is inaugurated in the Blue Room of the White House; this is his second term in office.
Government
By a margin of 50-49, the U.S. Senate passes its first budget in four years.
Government
U.S. Senate Republicans filibuster the nomination of Chuck Hagel as U.S. Secretary of Defense, demanding answers to questions about President Obama and Benghazi.
War
Muslim terrorists set off two explosions near the finish line at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, killing 3, injuring 183 people, and at least 15 requiring amputations. Suspects in the Boston Marathon Bombings are identified as Kyrgyzstan-born Muslims Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, age 19, and his 28-year old brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
War
The USS Gerald R. Ford is christened by the U.S. Navy; the aircraft carrier cost $15.5 billion and technically the most advanced ship ever built.
Science
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics estimates at least 17 billion planets exist that are comparable to the size of the Earth and the Milky Way.
Science
NASA scientists achieve a first in laser communication when they successfully beam a picture of Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a spacecraft orbiting the Moon.
Science
NASA's Voyager 1 space probe makes history by advancing past the solar system - becoming the first man-made object to reach interstellar space.
Science
The mission of the NASA Curiosity Mars rover begins as it makes way to its destination and drives to Mount Sharp.
Medicine
The first kidney is grown in vitro in the United States; the first liver grown in vitro is grown in Japan.
Medicine
The first federal health study reporting on the use of sleeping pills reveals that 8.6 million Americans take prescription sleeping pills.
Medicine
During the first month of its release in October, the U.S. government reports that 106,185 people signed up for health insurance; only 26,794 signed up using the failed website, HealthCare.gov.
Technology
An Apple I computer is sold for $617,000 at auction.
Technology
Apple releases two new iPhones - the iPhone 5c and 5s.
Education
The most recent results of the Program for International Student Assessment, released December 2, 2013, show that the achievement of U.S. teenagers continues to lag behind that of their counterparts in other developed countries, particularly those in Asia.
Education
Higher Education: In the case of Fisher v. University of Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that affirmative action is constitutional only if it is “narrowly tailored.” The Court then sends the case back to the lower courts to determine if the University of Texas policy meets this standard.
Education
Common Core: By the end of the year, 46 states, 4 territories and the District of Columbia have adopted the ELA/literacy and math standards. Four states — Alaska, Nebraska, Texas and Virginia — do not join Common Core. During the 2013-2014 school year, 20 states begin full implementation. Some states, however, are having doubts about the whole process.
Arts and Letters
A private collection of 1,500 works of art plundered by the Nazi's and discovered in a Munich apartment in 2012, has an estimated worth of $1 billion; lost works include paintings by Matisse, Paul Klee, Marc Chagall and Picasso.
Arts and Letters
New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art announces it will return two statues from northern Cambodia’s archeological site Koh Ker.
Arts and Letters
The 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Canadian writer Alice Munro for her “mastery of the short story.”
Carter, Rosalynn
Rosalynn Carter (1927-) attends the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, along with her husband and other former Presidents and First Ladies.
Carter, Rosalynn
The passage of a mental health insurance rule requiring equal treatment for mental health conditions occurs in 2013, something that Rosalynn Carter (1927-) has been fighting for since 1980.
Bush, Barbara
After more than seven weeks of treatment for bronchitis, former U.S. President George H. W. Bush (1924-) is released from The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Bush, Barbara
All living former U.S. Presidents and First Ladies, including George W. Bush (1946-) and current President Barack Obama (1961-), are present for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.
Clinton, Hillary
Hillary Clinton (1947-) receives 19 major awards, including a Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the Michael Kors award for Outstanding Community Service, and the American Bar Association Medal for her pursuit of social justice and transforming the legal profession for women.
Bush, Laura
Laura Bush (1946-) continues her work with literacy and libraries, as well as her work on women’s issues in emerging democracies.
Obama, Michelle
The current First Lady, Michelle Obama (1946-), continues her work on behalf of military families, her “Let’s Move” campaign against obesity, and her work on healthy eating, particularly involving children in growing their own vegetables in schools and community gardens.
Economics
'The Washington Post', a privately held newspaper, is purchased by Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos.
Economics
JPMorgan Chase tentatively settles on paying $13 billion to the U.S. Department of Justice for its role in selling bad mortgage loans to investors, which added to the Subprime mortgage crisis.
Economics
Bankrupt carrier, American Airlines and U.S. Airways merge, forming the world's largest air carrier, to trade under the name, American Airlines.
Economics
A railway under the Bosphorus, first proposed by Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid 150 years ago is completed; the sea tunnel, connecting Europe and Asia is the deepest submerged railway tunnel of its kind in the world.
Discovery
A 1,400 year old treasure, called 'the Ophel Treasure' is discovered near the foot of Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Daily Life
The U.S. postal service announces that after August 5, 2013, it will no longer deliver first-class mail on Saturdays.
Daily Life
Macy's loses its dispute with JC Penney; JC Penney wins the right to sell unbranded housewares designed by Martha Stewart in its stores.
Daily Life
On the first day of its release, Sony's PlayStation 4 sells 1 million units in the U.S. and Canada; the PS4 launches in Europe November 29th, and Japan February 22, 2014.
Sports
Swimmer Diana Nyad (1949-) makes history, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.
Sports
For the first time since 1996, no candidates were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sports
After stripping Lance Armstrong (1971-) of his seven Tour de France Titles, the IOC takes away the cyclist''s bronze medal from the 2000 Summer Olympics; he was found guilty of doping.
Sports
A power outage occurs during the Super Bowl XLVII at New Orleans' Superdome; the Baltimore Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers 34 – 31.
Sports
In racing, Danica Patrick (1982) becomes the first woman at the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to win pole position
Popular Culture
The U.S. TV network NBC announces Jay Leno (1950-), host of ''The Tonight Show'' will leave in the spring of 2014, and be replaced by comedian Jimmy Fallon (1974-).
Popular Culture
At the annual Billboard Music Awards, Taylor Swift (1989-) wins top album, top artist, and 6 other awards.
Religion
Citing frail health, Pope Benedict XVI (1927-) announces his resignation effective February 28, 2013; he is the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415.
Religion
In Vatican City, Italy, Pope Francis (1936-) delivers his first message at the Vatican, telling journalists wants "a poor Church, for the poor".
Religion
Pope Francis (1936-) canonizes a record-breaking number of new Catholic Church saints; Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI submitted the 813 ''Martyrs of Otranto'' who were beheaded by Ottoman soldiers for refusing to convert to Islam.
Religion
Pope Francis (1936-) calls for worldwide ''financial reform along ethical lines'' which would curb the ''tyranny'' of ''markets and financial speculation''.
Religion
Pope Francis (1936-) condemns the ''global indifference'' to the plight of immigrants who have drowned trying to reach Europe; he honors them in a mass held on Lampedusa, the largest island of the Italian Pelagie Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
Social Issues
Climate Change: U.S. scientists claim 2012 weather as the hottest year ever recorded.
Social Issues
Climate Change: The U.S. State of California is experiencing the driest year on record, and rain is not expected in the near future; San Francisco is having the driest year ever since the Gold Rush began in 1849.
Social Issues
Gun Violence: A centerpiece proposal on background checks aimed at tightening gun control, fails in a Senate vote.
Social Issues
Gun Violence: The world''s first plastic gun, produced by a 3-D printer by Defense Distributed fires successfully in Austin, Texas. Security officials fear plastic weapons would not be detected at airport screenings.
Reform
Marriage Equality: The state of Minnesota becomes the 13th state to legalize marriage quality, followed by California (again), Hawaii, Illinois and New Mexico.
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2014
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that whistleblower protection under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act extends to private employees working for public companies under contract.
Politics
29-term U.S. Rep. John Dingell announces that he will retire at the end of his current term; the 87-year-old congressman says that his health is fine, but the hostile climate in Congress means that he can no longer do his job effectively.
Politics
For the first time in history, millionaires made up the majority of Congress in 2012; The Center for Responsive Politics study reveals that of the 534 members, 268 had a net worth of $1 million or more.
Government
The U.S. Postal Service will soon implement a rate hike in postage, approved last December the price of first-class postage stamps to 49 cents from 46 cents.
Government
The U.S House of Representatives and Senate finalized a long-delayed farm bill designed to cut $19 billion in farm subsidies, and reduce the $8 billion spent on food stamps over the next ten years.
War
Vladimir Putin ratifies laws today annexing Crimea, defying sanction threats by the U.S. and the E.U. President Obama promises that the U.S. will not take military action in Ukraine in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Science
U.S. NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and John Holdren, White House Science Advisor, announce that President Obama's administration approved extending the use of the International Space Station through 2024.
Science
NASA announces that its Kepler space telescope has discovered 715 planets in other solar systems, bringing the instrument's new-planet tally to 961; four of the latest discoveries are thought to have an orbit favorable to habitation, but the distance of these planets makes exploration impossible with current technology.
Science
The European Space Agency succeeds in landing a washing machine-sized research vehicle on a comet traveling 300 million miles from Earth at a speed of 80,000 miles per hour.
Medicine
The U.S. announces that it is on track to enroll 7 million people in government-mandated health insurance programs by the deadline at midnight.
Medicine
Doctors announce that a 3D-printed plastic skull was successfully used to replace part of a woman's real skull in an operation three months ago in the Dutch city of Utrecht.
Medicine
The 2011 abortion rate reportedly is at its lowest in 30 years; the rate of 16.9 abortions per thousand women of childbearing age was 19.4 per thousand in 2008, and 29.3 per thousand in 1981.
Medicine
A study announced today that high levels of vitamin D in the blood may increase the probability of survival for breast cancer patients.
Medicine
Researchers announce a new orally-administered drug that may cure Hepatitis C; 90 percent of patients in trials were declared free of the virus after 12 weeks.
Technology
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the Apple Macintosh; the computer had a 9-inch monochrome display, 128 KB of memory and a 3.5" slot for a floppy disk.
Education
Common Core: 14 states are set to implement the standards during the 2014-2015 school year. Several states delay implementation, citing lack of resources and funds for teachers. Other states seek to repeal the standards and replace them with their own, while others plan to continue the Common Core but under another name to distance the standards from the political turmoil and controversy surrounding implementation.
Education
Common Core: Indiana becomes the first state to withdraw from the Common Core. South Carolina’s governor signs a bill May 30 that will replace Common Core for the 2015-2016 school year. Oklahoma repeals the standards in June. In early 2014, the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union, issues a statement from the NEA president calling for a “course correction” on the standards, saying implementation had been “botched” in several states.
Education
In 2014, some 91 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds had received at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Between
Education
1990 and 2014, the size of the White-Black gap in attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent narrowed from
Education
8 to 4 percentage points, and the size of the White-Hispanic gap narrowed from 32 to 21 percentage points.
Arts and Letters
Over 300 books related to Anne Frank are donated to Tokyo libraries by the embassy of Israel after a mass vandalism incident earlier this month that destroyed hundreds of the library system's existing copies; police are still investigating.
Reagan, Nancy
Nancy Reagan (1921-) turns 93 in July. She is in fragile health, but is able to visit her husband’s grave on the 10th anniversary of his death.
Bush, Barbara
Barbara Bush (1925-)
Bush, Barbara
is hospitalized with pneumonia, but recovers well in early 2014.
Bush, Barbara
Barbara (1925-) and George (1924-) Bush celebrate their 69th anniversary, and Mrs. Bush hopes her son, Jeb won’t run for the presidency in 2016.
Bush, Barbara
Barbara Bush (1925 -), wife of one President and mother of another, makes news by hoping another son, Jeb Bush, won’t run for the Presidency. In an interview, she said “If we can’t find more than two or three families to run for higher office, that’s silly. Because there are great governors and great eligible people to run,” Bush said in the interview. “There are a lot of ways to serve, and being president is not the only one, and I would hope that someone else would run.”
Clinton, Hillary
Hillary Clinton (1947-) publishes her second memoir, Hard Choices, which focuses on her tenure as Secretary of State. To date, it has sold about 250,000 copies.
Bush, Laura
Laura Bush (1946-) is very involved in the direction of President George W Bush’s Presidential Library.
Obama, Michelle
Michelle Obama (1946-) launches the Reach Higher Initiative, an effort to encourage all young people across the nation to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school.
Economics
Janet Yellen becomes the first woman to hold the post of chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Economics
Google sells Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for $2.91 billion after purchasing it three years ago for $12.5 billion, and selling off it's cable-box division for $2.4 billion.
Economics
Strong quarterly earnings cause Facebook stock to rise 16 percent; the company boasts 755 million active users, and its ad revenue increased by 76 percent year over year to $2.34 billion.
Economics
The banking industry is losing ground as non-banking companies such as Apple, Google and TMobile develop their own payment methods and financial products that circumvent the need for banking services.
Discovery
A rare, blue, 29.6-carat diamond, one of the most exceptional ever mined at the Cullinan mine, is discovered about 25 miles northeast of Pretoria, South Africa.
Daily Life
The Midwest experiences life threateningly low temperatures and forces over 2,500 flight cancellations; the tunnel of arctic air called the "polar vortex" should head eastward during the week.
Daily Life
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing to revise food labels by providing realistic serving sizes, emphasizing calories and sugar amounts, and breaking down fat listings into 'good' and 'bad' fats.
Daily Life
The Barbie doll celebrates its 55th anniversary.
Daily Life
Newspapers:''The Washington Post'' and ''The Guardian'' win the Pulitzer Prize for reporting of surveillance programs by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA); the investigations relied on thousands of documents leaked by Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor.
Daily Life
It is revealed that the National Security Agency, NSA, is using software to spy on nearly 100,000 computers around the world; most of the software is implanted by accessing the Internet, but some technology enables data to be entered or altered through radio wave transmission.
Sports
The Super Bowl takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey; the Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8, a historic win for the Seahawks, who haven't won a major championship in 30 years.
Sports
The 2014 Olympic Games begin in Sochi, Japan. American ice dancing pair Charlie White and Meryl Davis win the Olympic gold medal - the first gold won by the U.S. in this sport.
Popular Culture
Jay Leno (1950-), entertainer and host of 'The Tonight Show', says goodbye after 22 years of hosting the show; he will be replaced with Jimmy Fallon beginning February 17.
Popular Culture
The 86th Academy Awards is hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. 'Gravity,' '12 Years a Slave,' and 'Dallas Buyers Club' win the most awards. The broadcast received the highest views of any Oscars ceremony since the year 2000.
Popular Culture
Jimmy Fallon officially replaces Jay Leno in his first broadcast as host of 'The Tonight Show'.
Religion
An Islamic Caliphate is established by self claimed Islamic State in regions of war torn Syria and Iraq. This is a modern day attempt to re-establish Islamic self rule in accordance with strict adherence to the shariah- Islamic religious law. In the wake of the Syrian civil war, Islamic extremists target the indigenous Arab Christian communities. In acts of genocide, numerous and ancient Christian and Yazidi communities are evicted and threatened with death by various Moslem fighter groups.
Social Issues
Climate Change: Record-low temperatures are expected in the U.S. due to a 'polar vortex'; forecasters anticipate this tunnel of cold air funneling all the way from the North Pole to the U.S. could bring temperatures as low as 15 degrees in Chicago and 25 below zero in Fargo, North Dakota.
Social Issues
Climate Change
Social Issues
U.S. Southern states of Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina experience a mix of snow and ice, declaring emergencies as over 3,400 flights are cancelled; temperatures dip 10 to 20 degrees below normal.
2015
Law, Politics, Government, and WarScience, Medicine, Inventions, and TechnologyEducation, Arts and Letters, and IdeasLives of the First LadiesEconomics, Discovery, and Daily LifeSports and Popular CultureReligion, Social Issues, and Reform
Law
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds key provisions of Obamacare, including premium subsidies for about 6.4 million people enrolled in the federal health insurance exchange.
Law
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme court finds that the Constitution guarantees the right to same-sex marriage.
Politics
U.S. President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address, promoting free community college education, increased capital gains taxes on the rich, more paid time off for employees, and greater tax credits for the middle class.
Politics
A large number of individuals announce their intentions of running for the Presidency in 2016.
Politics
Republicans: Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Carli Fiorina, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, George Pataki, Lindsay Graham, Rick Perry, Jeb Bush, Donald Trump, Bobby Jindal, Chris Christie, Scott Walter, John Kasich. Democrats: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Lincoln Chaffee, Jim Webb.
Government
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to U.S. Congress on his concerns with current negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear program, portraying the deal as dangerous; U.S. President Barack Obama dismissed the speech content as 'nothing new'.
Government
A federal U.S. judge orders a halt to an executive order issued by President Barack Obama that allows approximately 5 million illegal immigrants to remain in the country; Obama expects to overcome this hurdle to implement the order as planned.
Government
U.S. President Barack Obama vetoes the Keystone XL project, which would extend the existing Keystone pipeline and connect Canadian oil directly to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries; environmentalists claim the pipeline extension will add to climate change.
Government
Parts of the U.S. Patriot Act, including authorization of bulk phone data collection by the National Security Administration, expire due to lack of agreement in the Senate regarding extension.
War
U.S. President Barack Obama seeks approval from Congress to add force in the fight against ISIS militants; the current U.S. military campaign began without Congressional approval, raising concerns that Obama exceeded the limits of his authority.
War
Shiite militia forces in Iraq boycott the fight against ISIS in Tikrit to protest U.S. airstrikes; the U.S. was responding to a request from the Iraqi government, but militias are concerned that the U.S. will receive credit for their work to date.
War
U.S. Commando Joshua Wheeler becomes the first American soldier killed by the forces of ISIS.
Science
Scientists report that climate change may be influenced by the carbon dioxide released by undersea volcanoes, which have been assumed until now to have a negligible effect; further studies are needed to assess the degree of impact.
Science
The International Energy Agency estimates that oil prices will remain relatively low for the next five years, potentially dipping this year to an average of $55/barrel before increasing to about $73/barrel by the year 2020.
Science
Space: NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft ends its three-year orbit around Mercury with a planned crash into the planet's surface; originally, the probe was to orbit and collect data for one year, but fuel saving efforts extended its mission for two more years.
Science
Space: NASA's New Horizons probe reestablishes contact to transmit the first close photos of Pluto and its moons; the probe launched in 2006 and has traveled over 3 billion miles; it will continue transmitting data for the next 16 months.
Science
Scientists discover a huge magma reservoir under Yellowstone National Park that feeds the magma chamber heating the park's geothermal features; though no volcanic eruption is likely for thousands of years, such an event would dwarf all others to date.
Medicine
Aducanumab, a new drug developed by Biogen to treat Alzheimer's, is showing success in reducing toxic brain plaque and decreasing the rate of mental impairment in trials; if successful in further testing, the drug may be available by 2020.
Inventions
Google will begin testing self-driving cars on the streets of Mountain View, California this summer; the company has tested modified versions of existing vehicles but will now test cars developed specifically for self-driving.
Education
Common Core: Two states, Nevada and Rhode Island, are scheduled to implement the standards during the 2015-2016 school year.
Arts and Letters
Harper Lee will release her second novel, 'Go Set a Watchman,' after 55 years; Lee wrote this novel first, presenting Scout as an adult, but editors convinced Lee to write instead about Scout as a child, resulting in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
Ideas
The four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta have been put on display at the British Library in London; access is limited to scholars and to 1,215 viewers from all over the world who were selected by lottery.
Carter, Rosalynn
90-year-old Jimmy Carter (1924 -), former U.S. president, announces that he has an unspecified cancer that has spread throughout his body; the cancer was discovered during a recent liver surgery.
Reagan, Nancy
Nancy Reagan
Reagan, Nancy
(1921 -), celebrates her 94th birthday as she continues to work with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
Clinton, Hillary
Hillary Clinton (1947 -) former First Lady, former Senator from New York, and former Secretary of State announces that she is running for President in 1916.
Bush, Laura
Laura Bush (1946 -) becomes a grandmother for the second time with the birth of Poppy Louise Hagar (2015 -), daughter of Jenna Bush Hagar and Henry Hagar.
Bush, Laura
Laura Bush (1946 -) is active in the Presidential campaign of her brother-in-law, Jeb Bush (1953 -).
Obama, Michelle
Michelle Obama (1954 -) teams with basketball star LeBron James to challenge the thousands of children who participate in the LeBron James Family Foundation programs to finish college.
Economics
New U.S. rules loosening trade restrictions with Cuba go into effect, including permission to sell instruments, tools, equipment and supplies to private businesses; U.S. banks will also be given greater freedom to transact with Cuban banks.
Economics
Walmart announces that in April it will raise wages of 500,000 Sam's Club and Walmart workers to $9/hour, exceeding the current minimum wage by $1.75, with a further raise to $10/hour by next February.
Economics
Stock markets around the world fall drastically due to concerns about an economic slowdown in China; the Dow Jones falls 1,000 points, closing down 588 points, while the Shanghai composite closes down 8.5%.
Discovery
Scientists announce discovery of a planet in the Kepler-452 solar system that closely resembles Earth in size and orbit; the planet, Kepler 452-b, has a diameter 60% larger than Earth's but an orbit that is 385 days, close to Earth's 365 days.
Discovery
Scientists uncover a 2.8-million-year-old jawbone of a primitive human; the find suggests that humans may have evolved from hominins, or humanlike primates, about 400,000 years earlier than previously thought.
Discovery
A new birdlike dinosaur, Yi qi, has been discovered in China; the fossils suggest that it lived about 160 million years ago and had membranous, bat-like wings that not been seen in other dinosaur species.
Daily Life
The U.S. state of Hawaii raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, the highest smoking age among all the states.
Daily Life
A powerful blizzard covers Boston and nearby New England areas with over two feet of snow under winds that reach over 70 miles per hour; New York City had expected the same weather effects but was spared.
Daily Life
California Governor Jerry Brown mandates a 25% cut in water usage, the first required water restriction in the state's history, as severe drought continues; earlier calls for a voluntary 20% reduction were not met.
Daily Life
The world's oldest living person, Gertrude Weaver of the U.S., dies at age 116, just five days after the death of the previous record holder, Misao Okawa of Japan, who died at age 117.
Sports
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team wins the FIFA Women’s World Cup by besting Japan in the finals.
Sports
American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson become the first to successfully free-climb the Dawn Wall face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a climb of 3,000 feet; the men started the climb on December 27th, 2014
Sports
New Zealand professional golfer Lydia Ko, age 17, becomes the youngest No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, beating the record set by Tiger Woods in 1997 at age 21.
Sports
The New England Patriots win their fourth Super Bowl title, beating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24; Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is named MVP and is now one of only three quarterbacks to have won three Super Bowls.
Sports
Duke University defeats the University of Wisconsin to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship; the game, with a 68-63 score, resulted in Duke's fifth title.
Sports
UConn defeats Notre Dame 63-53 to win the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship; these results follow yesterday's Duke University win over the University of Wisconsin 68-63 in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.
Sports
Harriette Thompson, at 92 years and three months, becomes the oldest person to finish a marathon, beating the previous record holder of 92 years and 19 days.
Popular Culture
At the 87th Academy Awards, 'Birdman' is awarded Best Picture, Eddie Redmayne wins Best Actor for his role as Stephen Hawking in 'A Theory of Everything,' and Julianne Moore wins Best Actress for her role in 'Still Alice'.
Popular Culture
Taylor Swift receives eight awards at the Billboard Music Awards; Pharrell Williams, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, and Sam Smith were also multiple winners at the ceremony.
Religion
The Vatican ends a five-year investigation into a key organization of U.S. nuns two years ahead of schedule and recommends no major changes; the group was under scrutiny for practices considered out of line with Catholic Church teaching.
Religion
Pope Francis (1936 -) visits the United States, speaks to Congress and to the United Nations General Assembly about his efforts to encourage attention to the health of the planet, to the welfare of families; he also praises the ability of capitalistic enterprises to produce wealth, but insists that such wealth should be used, in part, to help the struggling poor.
Social Issues
Climate Change: Pope Francis issues an encyclical, ''Laudato Si'' (Praise Be), urging action to protect Earth from pollution and climate change; the document was issued with the intention of influencing the U.N. Climate Summit later this year.
Social Issues
Race Relations: U.S. President Barack Obama bans the use of certain military equipment by police in the wake of recent deaths of unarmed black men by police officers; the move is meant to help communities see police as protectors rather than as an ''occupied force''.
Social Issues
Race Relations: The Confederate flag is removed from the South Carolina capitol grounds after the state government enacted a law to permanently remove it; the flag, part of U.S. Civil War history, is viewed by many as a symbol of racism.
Social Issues
Women’s Equity:The U.S. Navy announces that it will allow women to undergo its intensive 6-month SEAL training; female candidates who pass the course will be able to serve on SEAL teams.
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