Video: 'The World's First Transatlantic Cable : Documentary on the First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable' (Aug. 16, 1858, at 31:04)

(Monday, August 16, 1858, 7:00 p.m. local time) — Britain’s Queen Victoria inaugurated the new transatlantic telegraph cable today, sending a telegram of congratulations to U.S. President James Buchanan at his summer residence at the Bedford Springs Hotel in Pennsylvania, expressing hope that it would prove “an additional link between the nations whose friendship is founded on their common interest and reciprocal esteem.” Continue reading Transatlantic telegraph cable inaugurated 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1858) →

(Tuesday, August 16, 1988, afternoon EDT; part of the United States presidential election, 1988) — Vice President George H.W. Bush of Texas, the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, today on the New Orleans riverfront chose Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana, a wealthy, 41-year-old conservative with scant national reputation, as his running mate on the 1988 Republican ticket. Continue reading Bush picks Quayle for running mate 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1988) →

Video: 'Oregon Territory - Manifest Destiny Choose Your Own Adventure'

(Monday, August 14, 1848) — The Oregon Territory was established today after Congress passed and President James K. Polk signed the Act to Establish the Territorial Government of Oregon, encompassing all of the present-day states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, as well as those parts of present-day Montana and Wyoming west of the Continental Divide. Continue reading Oregon Territory formally established 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1848) →

Video: 'Oregon Territory - Manifest Destiny Choose Your Own Adventure'

(Monday, August 14, 1848) — The Oregon Territory was established today after Congress passed and President James K. Polk signed the Act to Establish the Territorial Government of Oregon, encompassing all of the present-day states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, as well as those parts of present-day Montana and Wyoming west of the Continental Divide. Continue reading Oregon Territory formally established 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1848) →

Video: 'The Spanish American War | History Channel Documentary' (war ends at 34:45)

(Friday, August 12, 1898, 4:23 p.m. localar time; during the Spanish–American War) — The Spanish-American War effectively today with the signing in Washington of a Protocol of Peace between the United States and Spain. Continue reading Spanish-American War hostilities ends 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1898) →