Video: '21st February 1885: the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. was dedicated'
(Saturday, February 21, 1885) — The Washington Monument, an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the early Continental Army and the first American president, was officially dedicated today by President Chester A. Arthur during ceremonies. Continue reading Washington Monument dedicated 140 years ago today (Feb 21 1885)
Video: '18th February 1885: Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" published in the United States.'
(Wednesday, February 18, 1885) — Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in the U.S. for the first time today (after already being published in Britain and Canada). Continue reading Mark Twain’s ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ published in U.S. 140 years ago today (Feb 18 1885)
Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1884'
(Tuesday, November 4, 1884, during the 1884 presidential campaign) — Democratic Governor Grover Cleveland of New York was elected as the 22nd president of the United States today, defeating Republican former U.S. House Speaker James G. Blaine of Maine. Continue reading Grover Cleveland elected 22nd president of the United States, defeating James G. Blaine 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1884)
Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1884'
(Friday, July 11, 1884, 12:50 p.m. CST) — Governor Grover Cleveland of New York was nominated for president of the United States today by delegates at the 1884 Democratic National Convention meeting at the Exposition Building in Chicago. Continue reading Democrats nominate Grover Cleveland for president of the United States 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 11 1884)
Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1884'
(Friday, June 6, 1884, vote announced at 4:40 p.m. local time) — Former House Speaker James G. Blaine of Maine was nominated for president of the United States today by delegates to the 1884 Republican National Convention meeting at the Exposition Hall in Chicago. Continue reading Republicans nominate James G. Blaine for president of the United States 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1884)
Video: 'Biography of Harry S. Truman: Atomic Bombs, Communism, Korean War'
(Thursday, May 8, 1884) — Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States (1945-1953) and the 34th vice President of the United States under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945), was born today in Lamar, Missouri. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman born in Lamar, Missouri 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1884)
Video: '27th August 1883: The eruption of Krakatoa'
(Monday, August 27, 1883, 10:02 a.m. BMT; during the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa) — The most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurred this morning when Krakatoa — a small, uninhabited island west of Sumatra in Indonesia — erupted with a series of cataclysmic explosions. Continue reading Most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa, Indonesia 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 27 1883)
Video: 'Modern Marvels: Building the Brooklyn Bridge (S2, E20) | Full Episode' (May 24, 1883, at 48:40)
(Thursday, May 24, 1883, ceremonies were scheduled for 2:00-5:30 p.m., local time) — The Brooklyn Bridge, a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge linking New York City and Brooklyn by spanning the East River, was dedicated today by U.S. President Chester Alan Arthur, New York Governor Grover Cleveland, and Emily Roebling, the wife of the bridge’s main engineer, Washington Roebling. Continue reading Brooklyn Bridge linking Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City dedicated 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 24 1883)
Video: 'The Chinese Exclusion Act'
(Saturday, May 6, 1882) — President Chester Alan Arthur today signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which called for barring Chinese immigrants from the U.S. for ten years. Continue reading President Chester A. Arthur signs act barring Chinese immigrants from U.S. for a decade 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1882)
Video: 'The Tragic Life Of Notorious Outlaw Jesse James'
(Monday, April 3, 1882) — Outlaw Jesse James, 34, was shot to death today in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, a new recruit to James’s gang who hoped to collect a reward on James’s head and a promised amnesty for his previous crimes. Continue reading Outlaw Jesse James, 34, shot dead in St. Joseph, Missouri 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1882)
