1776 – 1st vote on Declaration of Independence for Britain’s North American colonies.
1795 – John Rutledge becomes 2nd chief justice of US Supreme Court.
1836 – US President Andrew Jackson announces to Congress bequest by James Smithson of 100,000 gold sovereigns to found institution in Washington.
1847 – 1st US postage stamps go on sale, 5 cent Franklin & 10 cent Washington, NYC.
1862 – Congress outlaws polygamy for the 1st time.
1862 – US Internal Revenue Law imposes 1st federal taxes on inheritance, tobacco & on incomes over $600 (progressive rate)
1870 – James W. Smith of SC is one of 1st African American to enter West Point.
1874 – 1st US zoo opens (Philadelphia)
1893 – San Francisco Bay City Club opens 1st US bicycle race track, made of wood.
1899 – Gideon Society established to place bibles in hotels.
1905 – Albert Einstein introduces his theory of relativity.
1916 – Coca-Cola brings current coke formula to the market.
1929 – US cartoonist Elzie Segar creates “Popeye”
1941 – Bulova Watch Company pays $9 for 1st ever network TV commercial.
1943 – “Pay-as-you-go” – 1st withholding tax from paychecks.
1956 – Elvis Presley wearing a tuxedo appears on Steve Allen Show.
1963 – Zip Codes are introduced for United States mail.
1966 – Medicare goes into effect.
1979 – Sony introduces the Walkman.
1992 – Fox broadcasting adds Wednesday night TV programming.
2015 – US and Cuba announce agreement to re-open embassies and establish full diplomatic ties.