This Day in History

First American Astronaut Walks in Space

Ed White became the first American astronaut to walk in space on June 3, 1965, during the Gemini 4 mission. White’s spacewalk lasted 23 minutes, during which he maneuvered around his spacecraft with the aid of a handheld jet-propulsion gun. This historic event was a major milestone in NASA’s space program, demonstrating the U.S. commitment […]

MLK Jr. Begins Selma to Montgomery March

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. begins the historic Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama, advocating for voting rights and challenging racial segregation in the United States. This pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement brought national attention to systemic injustice and ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

LBJ Advocates for Equal Voting Rights

On March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered a historic address to a joint session of Congress, calling for equal voting rights for all Americans. In his speech, known as the “We Shall Overcome” speech, Johnson denounced racial discrimination in voting practices and urged Congress to pass legislation to protect the voting rights of […]

“Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama

Civil rights activists, including John Lewis and Hosea Williams, led a march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, demanding voting rights for African Americans. However, they were met with violence from state troopers, an event famously known as “Bloody Sunday.” This brutal crackdown sparked national outrage and ultimately contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights […]

The Great Northeast Blackout

A massive power outage struck the northeastern United States and parts of Canada on November 9th, 1965, leaving millions of people without electricity for hours. This event underscored the vulnerabilities of modern infrastructures and led to significant improvements in power grid systems.

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis

The iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, a symbol of westward expansion in the United States, was completed on this day. Designed by architect Eero Saarinen, this architectural marvel stands as a testament to human ambition and engineering prowess.

Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VI arrives in New York, the first Pope ever to visit the US and the Western hemisphere.