History: What Happened Today?

1. In 1785, the first manned flight by gas balloon in the Netherlands.
2. In 1862, U.S. Congress authorized the Medal of Honor.
3. In 1902, the Australian parliament agrees to female suffrage.
4. In 1909, the 16th Amendment was approved, allowing income tax.
5. In 1920, the Panama Canal opened, allowing ships to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, without having to go around Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America.
6. In 1933, U.S. Congress passes first minimum wage law at $.33/hour.
7. In 1957, US Surgeon General Leroy Burney connects smoking with lung cancer.
8. In 1962, the Rolling Stones gave their first concert in London at the Marquee Club.
9. In 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale announced Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, making her the first woman to run from a major political party.
10. In 1996, Michael Jordan signs a NBA contract for 1 year for $25 million.
11. Famous Birthdays: Julius Caesar (Roman statesman), George Washington Carver (scientist), Bill Cosby (actor), Kristi Yamaguchi (Olympic figure skater), Henry David Thoreau (American poet)

For famous birthdays and other daily events in history, visit our Daily Dose Activities.

Click Here for Yesterday in History: July 11

Click Here for Tomorrow in History: July 13

For more history resources on Internet 4 Classrooms, visit our Social Studies and History index. For Pre K-8th Grade Level History and Social Studies Resources, visit our Grade Level Index.