- 1846: The newly formed Texas state government is officially installed in Austin, Texas, following its annexation by the United States.
- 1847: The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party, stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during their ill-fated westward migration.
- 1859: Daniel E. Sickles, a New York Congressman, is acquitted of murder on grounds of temporary insanity after shooting a man who was having an affair with his wife.
Scientific Advancements:
- 1878: Thomas Edison patents the phonograph, marking a revolutionary step in sound recording and playback technology.
- 1986: The Soviet Union launches the Mir space station, the world's first modular space station, which remained in orbit for 15 years.
- 1997: Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, is born in Scotland, sparking ethical debates and scientific advancements in cloning technology.
War and Conflict:
- 1942: President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorizes the internment of all Japanese-Americans living on the West Coast of the United States during World War II, a dark chapter in American history marked by racial discrimination and forced relocation.
- 1945: U.S. Marines launch an amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima, a strategically important Japanese island, during World War II. The ensuing battle becomes one of the bloodiest in the Pacific War.
- 1963: Soviet Union informs President John F. Kennedy that it is withdrawing several thousand troops from Cuba, easing tensions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Political and Social Change:
- 1953: Georgia becomes the first U.S. state to establish a literature censorship board, raising concerns about freedom of expression.
- 1963: Ed Wynn becomes the first entertainer to sign as a radio talent, marking the early days of the radio industry.
- 2008: Fidel Castro steps down as President of Cuba after 49 years in power, signifying a major shift in the country's political landscape.
Who was the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms?
