1642 Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the 1st incorporated American city.
1780 Pennsylvania becomes 1st US state to abolish slavery (for newborns only).
1847 Michigan becomes 1st English-speaking jurisdiction to abolish the death penalty (except for treason against the state).
1869 US Postage stamps showing scenes issued for 1st time. These pictorials showed a post horse and rider, a locomotive, a shield, an eagle and a ship, the Adriatic.
1872 Yellowstone becomes the world’s 1st national park.
1954 US explodes Castle Bravo, a 15-megaton hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll, which accidentally became the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated by the US.
HISTORICAL EVENTS TODAY
TODAY IN FILM & TV
1975 Colour television transmissions begin in Australia.
TODAY IN MUSIC
1973 Pink Floyd release their album “Dark Side of the Moon” since sold over 45 million copies.
TODAY IN SPORT
1969 New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle announces his retirement due to persistent knee injuries; finishes 18-season career with 536 home runs and .298 batting average.
DO YOU KNOW THIS FACT ABOUT TODAY?
1941 Captain America created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby is first published by Timely Comics (premiere issue released on December 20, 1940)
WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS FACT ABOUT TODAY?
1854 SS City of Glasgow leaves Liverpool harbour with approximately 480 passengers and crew; she was never seen again
