This Day in History Class
1,999 episodes — Page 8 of 40
The FDA approves the world's first birth control pill - May 9th, 1960
On this day in 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first commercially produced birth control pill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first glass of Coca-Cola is served - May 8th, 1886
On this day in 1886, Coca-Cola was sold for the first time at a pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mary Kies becomes the first woman to be granted a U.S. patent - May 5th, 1809
On this day in 1809, Mary Kies became the first woman in the United States to receive a patent in her own name. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Dixon Bridge Disaster - May 4th, 1873
On this day in 1873, a toll bridge in Dixon, Illinois, collapsed into the Rock River and took a crowd of more than 200 people with it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor play Twister - May 3rd, 1966
On this day in 1966, late-night talk show host Johnny Carson and actress Eva Gabor demonstrated how to play a new party game called Twister.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Sakdal Uprising begins in Luzon, Philippines - May 2nd, 1935
On this day in 1935, thousands of Filipino peasants staged a rebellion in the agricultural region of Central Luzon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iodized salt is sold for the first time - May 1st, 1924
On this day in 1924, the first iodized salt in the U.S. went on sale at Michigan grocery stores. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first animated electric sign debuts in Times Square - April 28th, 1937
On this day in 1937, the first animated electric sign was installed on Broadway in New York City. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Eisenhower launches the Lavender Scare - April 27th, 1953
On this day in 1953, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order that banned gay people from working for the federal government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
American blues singer Ma Rainey is born - April 26th, 1886
On this day in 1886, legendary blues singer Ma Rainey was born in Columbus, Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first guillotine is used to execute a French highwayman - April 25th, 1792
On this day in 1792, a French bandit became the first person to be killed by guillotine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Black demonstrators are attacked at a segregated beach in Mississippi - April 24th, 1960
On this day in 1960, during a peaceful demonstration at Biloxi Beach, a group of Black activists were attacked by white segregationists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Nintendo Game Boy is released in Japan - April 21st, 1989
On this day in 1989, Nintendo released the original Game Boy in Japan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - April 20th
Please enjoy these April 20th flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you tomorrow for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The creator of LSD goes for a harrowing bike ride - April 19th, 1943
On this day in 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann discovered the psychic effects of LSD while bike riding home from his lab. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BBC reports "There is no news today" and plays piano music instead - April 18th, 1930
On this day in 1930, BBC Radio announced there was no news to report and played 15 minutes of piano music instead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Daffy Duck makes his first appearance in the animated short film "Porky's Duck Hunt" - April 17th, 1937
On this day in 1937, cartoon icon Daffy Duck appeared for the first time in the Warner Bros. animated short “Porky’s Duck Hunt.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A bathroom mishap sinks a German U-boat- April 14, 1945
On this day in 1945, the crew of a Nazi submarine had to abandon ship after a plumbing issue forced them to surface in the line of enemy fire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. Federal Reserve issues a two-dollar bill - April 13th, 1976
On this day in 1976, to mark the bicentennial of American independence, a new $2 bill was released to the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A catcher's mask is used in a baseball game for the first time - April 12th, 1877
On this day in 1877, Harvard student James Tyng became the first-known baseball player to wear a catcher’s mask.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Barbershop Harmony Society is founded - April 11th, 1938
On this day in 1938, the first meeting of the Barbershop Harmony Society was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The RMS Titanic sets sail from Southampton, England - April 10th, 1912
On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic departed from Southampton on its doomed maiden voyage to New York. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Carter halts production of neutron bombs - April 7th, 1978
On this day in 1978, U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced his decision to delay production of the neutron bomb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first modern Olympic Games are held in Athens - April 6th, 1896
On this day in 1896, the opening ceremony of the first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Radio stations across the globe play "We Are the World" in unison - April 5th, 1985
On this day in 1985, more than 8,000 radio stations played the charity single “We Are the World” simultaneously.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The peace symbol makes its first public appearance - April 4th, 1958
On this day in 1958, the world famous peace symbol was displayed for the first time at an anti-nuclear war rally in London. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
CBS censors the Smothers Brothers - April 3rd, 1969
On this day in 1969, CBS Television canceled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a popular yet controversial variety show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abigail Adams urges her husband to “remember the ladies” - March 31st, 1776
On this day in 1776, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband, John Adams, imploring him and his political colleagues to keep the interests of women in mind.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hymen Lipman patents the first pencil with a built-in eraser - March 30th, 1858
On this day in 1858, Jamaican-born inventor Hymen Lipman registered the first patent for a pencil with a built-in eraser.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first Oval Office telephone is installed - March 29th, 1929
On this day in 1929, President Herbert Hoover had the first telephone installed in the Oval Office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Cheapside Street Whisky Fire - March 28th, 1960
On this day in 1960, an explosive fire at a whisky warehouse claimed the lives of fourteen firefighters and five members of the Glasgow Salvage Corps.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C. are planted - March 27th, 1912
On this day in 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda planted two Japanese cherry trees in Washington, D.C.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode: Civil rights leader Dorothy Height is born - March 24th, 1912 / Exxon Valdez oil spill - March 24, 1989
Hey there, history fans! We're off for today, but please enjoy these flashback episodes from the TDIHC vault, and be sure to tune in Monday for a brand new episode. On this day in 1912, civil rights leader Dorothy Height was born in Richmond, Virginia. On this day in 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez dumped 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elisha Otis installs the first commercial elevator - March 23rd, 1857
On this day in 1857, the first commercial elevator began operation inside a New York City department store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hugo Grotius escapes prison by hiding in a book chest - March 22nd, 1621
On this day in 1621, Dutch legal scholar Hugo Grotius escaped his imprisonment by hiding inside a book chest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. Air Force ejects a black bear from a bomber plane - March 21st, 1962
On this day in 1962, a black bear named Yogi was ejected from a supersonic bomber during a test of the plane’s escape capsule. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A planetary alignment allegedly creates the Black Death - March 20th, 1345
On this day in 1345, the alignment of three planets supposedly caused the Black Death pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Production begins on Walt Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People - March 17th, 1958
On this day in 1958, production began on the live-action Disney film Darby O'Gill and the Little People.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mississippi ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment - March 16th, 1995
On this day in 1995, Mississippi finally voted to ratify the 13th Amendment–130 years after its passage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first internet domain name is registered - March 15th, 1985
On this day in 1985, the first dot-com domain name was registered by Symbolics Inc., a Massachusetts computer company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lucy Hobbs Taylor is born - March 14th, 1833
On this day in 1833, American dentist and women’s rights activist Lucy Hobbs Taylor was born.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sir William Herschel discovers the planet Uranus - March 13th, 1781
On this day in 1781, German-born British astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first Book of the Month Club selection is published - March 10th, 1926
On this day in 1926, Sylvia Townsend Warner’s debut novel, Lolly Willowes, was published by Viking Press.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Parthenon is consecrated in Athens - March 9th, 432 BC
On this day in 432 BC, the newly-completed Parthenon was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lonely Hearts Killers are executed - March 8th, 1951
On this day in 1951, a serial killer couple known as the Lonely Hearts Killers were put to death at Sing Sing Prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Writers Guild of America goes on strike - March 7th, 1988
On this day in 1988, the Writers Guild of America began one of the longest union strikes in Hollywood history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster - March 6th, 1987
On this day in 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry capsized shortly after leaving the Zeebrugge harbor in Belgium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anne Sullivan begins teaching Helen Keller - March 3rd, 1887
On this day in 1887, American teacher Anne Sullivan was introduced to her star pupil, Helen Keller. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pennsylvania ends its ban on theatrical performances - March 2nd, 1789
On this day in 1789, the Pennsylvania legislature lifted a decade-long ban on live theater.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John Winthrop records the earliest known UFO sighting in America - March 1st, 1639
On this day in 1639, Governor John Winthrop documented a report of unidentified flying objects in the sky above Boston.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.