Tag Archives: this day in history

The Hubble Space Telescope, which has delivered awe-inspiring images of creation and destruction from the deepest reaches of the universe, was placed into orbit on this day in history, April 25, 1990. “Hubble’s launch and deployment in April 1990 marked the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo’s telescope,”NASA writes in an online history of the Hubble program. The telescope, …

On this day in history, April 24, 1800, President John Adams — the second president of the United States — approved the appropriation of $5,000 for the purchase of “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress,” according to the website of the Library of Congress. The research library — the oldest federal cultural institution in the …

Legendary playwright, poet and actor William Shakespeare is believed to have been born on this day in history, April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare’s exact date of birth was not recorded, says the website for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust — but his baptism at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon was documented as taking place on April 26, 1564. “No …

On this day in history, April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated — ushering in a host of new environmental legislation. The idea for the observation “Earth Day” originated with Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, who had “long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States,” says EarthDay.org. “Inspired by the student anti-war movement, …

In the Texan War for Independence, Texas militia, led by General Sam Houston, launched a surprise attack on this day in history, 1836, against the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna on the banks of the San Jacinto river. “The Mexicans were thoroughly defeated and hundreds were taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself,” according to History.com. The events of …

On this day in history, April 20, 1898, President William McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain. The declaration requested by the 25th U.S. president was in response to an ongoing conflict between Spain and Cuba, the latter located less 100 miles off the coast of Florida, as that island country struggled for independence from Spain. On April 20, …

Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivered his farewell address to Congress on this day in history, April 19, 1951, uttering the famous line, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Eight days before the speech, MacArthur had been relieved of his duties as general of the U.S. Army by President Harry S. Truman — putting an end to his storied military …

Few people today would consider going to a laundromat a luxury. But before the first laundromat — or “washateria,” as it was called back then — was created in the 1930s, that is exactly how the launch of automated laundry was viewed by many. On this day in history, April 18, 1934, the first “washateria” opened in Fort Worth, Texas, …

An incredible human drama in space exploration ended with the miraculous safe return of the three Apollo 13 astronauts on this day in history, April 17, 1970. “In Mission Control, pandemonium erupted,” NASA reports of the joy that overwhelmed the command center after the mission’s capsule splashed down in the South Pacific shorty after noon Central Standard Time, just four …

On this day in history, April 16, 1889, future Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin — full name Charles Spencer Chaplin — is born in London, England. Chaplin would go on to become one of the most financially successful stars of early Hollywood, according to History.com. At the tender age of five, he was introduced to the stage as the son of …