This Day in History

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1803: The Louisiana Purchase is completed at a ceremony in New Orleans (more info) 1860: South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1469: Ferdinand of Aragon marries Isabella of Castile in Valladolid, beginning a cooperative reign that would unite Spain and elevate the nation to a dominant world power (more info) 1648: Boston Shoemakers form the first US labor organization (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1931 – The George Washington Bridge linking New Jersey and New York opens (More info) 1946 – Twelve Nazi leaders are sentenced to death at the Nuremberg Trials (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1780 – American General Benedict Arnold commits treason by giving the British the plans to West Point (More info) 1792 – The National Convention declares France a republic and abolishes the monarchy (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1793 – George Washington lays the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building (More info) 1837 – Tiffany & Young -- later Tiffany and Co. -- is founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young in New York City (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1787 – The United States Constitution is signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (More info) 1978 – The Camp David Accords are signed by Israel and Egypt (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1814 – Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America's national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner' (More info) 1898 – Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1940 – Ancient cave paintings are discovered in Lascaux, France (More info) 1953 – Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy of Massachusetts marries Jacqueline Lee Bouvier (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1608 – John Smith is elected council president of Jamestown, Virginia (More info) 1897 – A London man is arrested for drunk driving, making him the first person apprehended for the crime (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1776 – The Second Continental Congress changes the name of the nation from the United Colonies to the United States of America (More info) 1850 – California is admitted as the 31st US state, bypassing the usual waiting period of being a territory first (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1504 – Michelangelo's 'David' is unveiled in Florence, Italy (More info) 1966 – The first 'Star Trek' series premieres on NBC (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1979 – The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, better known as ESPN, makes its debut (More info) 1813 – The United States federal government gets its nickname, Uncle Sam (More info)