On this day in
987 AD, some Frenchie by the name of
Hugh Capet is crowned King of France. He is the first of the Capetian dynasty that would rule over France until the French Revolution deposed them in 1792.
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On this day in
1608, the city of
Quebec is founded by
Samuel de Champlain, making it one of the oldest cities in North America. Also, the ramparts surrounding the Old Quebec region are the only still standing city walls that exist north of Mexico. It’s a great place to visit. Y’all should go sometime.
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On this day in
1754, American Revolutionary General
George Washington surrenders Fort Necessity to French forces during the French and Indian Wars.
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On this day in
1819, the Bank of Savings in New York City, the first savings bank in the United States, opens.
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On this day in
1844, the last pair of Great Auks - a kind of clumsy, North Atlantic penguin - is killed.
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On this day in
1884,
Dow Jones and Company publishes its first stock average.
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On this day in
1886,
Karl Benz officially unveils the Benz Patent Motorwagen – the first purpose-built automobile.
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On this day in
1886, the New York Tribune becomes the first newspaper to use a linotype machine, eliminating typesetting by hand.
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On this day in
1939, baseballer
Lou Gehrig makes his "luckiest man alive" speech at Yankee Stadium. This, despite the fact that he was suffering from Lou Gehrig's Disease, which would soon take his life. Imagine, dying of a disease whose name you share! What are the frickin' odds?!
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On this day in the year
1969, Rolling Stone guitarist
Brian Jones drowns in his pool. When told about the tragedy,
Keith Richards says: "Brian who?"
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On this day in 1971, Jim Morrison - frontman and founder of The Doors - dies of heart failure in a bathtub in Paris. Fussy Parisians take his death as a confirmation of the long-held superstition that bathing can kill you.
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On this day in 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul.
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On this day in
1988, the United States Navy shoots down an Iran Air jetliner over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 civilians on board.
Oops!
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On this day in
1996, the Stone of Scone is returned to Scotland.
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