This Day in History

The U.S. Draft Lottery Takes Place

Amidst the Vietnam War, the United States conducted its first draft lottery on December 1st, 1969. This method of conscription was a significant departure from previous systems and drew widespread attention and criticism.

Apollo 12 Launches, Man’s Second Mission to the Moon

NASA’s Apollo 12 mission was launched on November 14th, 1969, becoming the sixth crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the second to land humans on the Moon. Astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Alan L. Bean explored the lunar surface, conducting experiments and making important discoveries.

Sesame Street Premieres on Television

November 10th, 1969, marked the debut of Sesame Street, a beloved children’s television program that revolutionized educational TV. Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, Sesame Street has since become an integral part of early childhood education worldwide.

Precursor to the Internet

A significant milestone in the digital age, the first message on the ARPANET, a precursor to the internet, was sent on October 29th, 1969. The message “LOGIN” was transmitted between computers at UCLA and Stanford, paving the way for the interconnected world we live in today.

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)

The first Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) made its public debut in the United States on September 2nd, revolutionizing the way we conduct financial transactions.