1238
War
Mongol hordes under Batu Khan defeated Rus forces commanded by Grand Prince Yuri Il in the Battle of the Sit River in what is now Yaroslavl Oblast in Russia.
220 years ago
1793
Politics and government
George Washington was inaugurated into his second term as the 1st President of the United States of America.
200 years ago
1813
Politics and government
James Madison was inaugurated into his second term as the 4th President of the United States of America.
180 years ago
1833
Politics and government
Andrew Jackson was inaugurated into his second term as the 7th President of the United States of America. Because of cold weather and the president's poor health, the ceremony took place indoors, in the hall of the House of Representatives. Chief Justice John Marshall administered the oath of office for the ninth and final time. Mr. Jackson's inaugural address included the following comments:
In the domestic policy of this Government there are two objects which especially deserve the attention of the people and their representatives, and which have been and will continue to be the subjects of my increasing solicitude. They are the preservation of the rights of the several States and the integrity of the Union... My experience in public concerns and the observation of a life somewhat advanced confirm the opinions long since imbibed by me, that the destruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their control over the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolution and anarchy, and finally to despotism and military domination...160 years ago
I shall continue to exert all my faculties to maintain the just powers of the Constitution and to transmit unimpaired to posterity the blessings of our Federal Union. At the same time, it will be my aim to inculcate by my official acts the necessity of exercising by the General Government those powers only that are clearly delegated; to encourage simplicity and economy in the expenditures of the Government; to raise no more money from the people than may be requisite for these objects, and in a manner that will best promote the interests of all classes of the community and of all portions of the Union.
1853
Politics and government
Franklin Pierce was inaugurated as the 14th President of the United States of America. He was the first President to "affirm" rather than "swear" the oath office, and placed his hand on a law book instead of the Bible. Probably no President ever entered the White House under a greater personal cloud: On January 6, President-elect Pierce, his wife Jane, and 11-year-old son Benjamin were enjoying a train ride near Andover, Massachusetts when their car derailed, and Benjamin was crushed to death and nearly decapitated. Mr. Pierce covered Benjamin's body with a sheet to try to prevent his wife from seeing the body, but she did see it, and the two suffered severe depression, made worse by the fact that Benjamin, their third child, had been the only one to live past the age of 4. Mrs. Pierce never recovered from her grief, and Mr. Pierce increasingly took to drink as the years went on. In his inaugural address, Mr. Pierce stated:
The policy of my Administration will not be deterred by any timid forebodings of evil from expansion. Indeed, it is not to be disguised that our attitude as a nation and our position on the globe render the acquisition of certain possessions not within our jurisdiction eminently important for our protection.150 years ago
1863
Americana
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed an act creating Idaho Territory.
140 years ago
1873
Politics and government
U.S. Grant was inaugurated into his second term as the 18th President of the United States of America.
130 years ago
1883
Born on this date
Maude Fealy. U.S. actress. Miss Fealy, born Maude Mary Hawk, began her career on stage in 1896, and toured in the United States and United Kingdom through the 1900s. She appeared in more than 20 movies from 1911-1917, and in minor roles in several movies from 1931-1958, including several directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Miss Fealy taught acting, and wrote several plays that were produced. She died on November 9, 1971 at the age of 88.
Died on this date
Alexander Stephens, 71. U.S. and C.S. politician. Mr. Stephens was Vice-President of the Confederate States of America from 1861-1865. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia from 1845-1859 and 1873-1882. He was elected Governor of Georgia in 1882 and died four months after taking office.
125 years ago
1888
Born on this date
Jeff Pfeffer. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Pfeffer pitched 13 seasons in the major leagues with the St. Louis Browns (1911); Brooklyn Robins (1913-1921); St. Louis Cardinals (1921-1924); and Pittsburgh Pirates (1924), compiling a record of 158 wins and 112 losses. His best seasons were 1914 (23-12, 1.97 earned run average) and 1916 (25-11, 1.92 ERA). Mr. Pfeffer pitched for the Robins in the World Series of 1916 and 1920, both of which they lost. He died on August 15, 1972 at the age of 84.
Knute Rockne. Norwegian-born U.S. football coach. As head coach at University of Notre Dame from 1918-1930, Mr. Rockne led the Fighting Irish to a record of 105-12-5, popularizing the forward pass and turning the team into an American institution. Mr. Rockne's teams recorded five perfect seasons and won three national championships. He was killed in a plane crash on March 31, 1931 at the age of 43.
Died on this date
Amos Bronson Alcott, 88. U.S. teacher and philosopher. Mr. Alcott was a friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson and was a major figure in the transcendentalist movement of the 19th century. Believing the myth that human nature is basically good, he eschewed traditional punishment and was an advocate of a vegan diet and women's rights. The authoress Louisa May Alcott was his daughter.
120 years ago
1893
Politics and government
Grover Cleveland was inaugurated as the 24th President of the United States of America. He had previously served as the 22nd President from 1885-1889, before being defeated by Banjamin Harrison in his bid for re-election.
100 years ago
1913
Born on this date
John Garfield. U.S. actor. Mr. Garfield, born Jacob Garfinkle, was a major movie star from the late 1930s through the early 1950s, starring in such films as Four Daughters (1938); They Made Me a Criminal (1939); The Sea Wolf (1941); The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946); Humoresque (1946); Body and Soul (1947); Gentleman's Agreement (1947); Force of Evil (1948); and The Breaking Point (1950). A liberal but not a Communist, Mr. Garfield was blacklisted by Hollywood studios for 10 months in 1951-1952, but achieved success on Broadway in a revival of Golden Boy. He died of a heart attack on May 21, 1952 at the age of 39.
War
In the First Balkan War, the Greek army began fighting Turks at Bizani.
Politics and government
Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated as the 28th President of the United States of America. In his inaugural address, he stated, "Nowhere else in the world have noble men and women exhibited in more striking forms the beauty and the energy of sympathy and helpfulness and counsel in their efforts to rectify wrong, alleviate suffering, and set the weak in the way of strength and hope."
Along with Mr. Wilson's inauguration, the United States Department of Labor was formed.
80 years ago
1933
World events
Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, citing procedural difficulties in the National Council (lower house), advised President Wilhelm Miklas to issue a decree adjourning Parliament indefinitely. Mr. Dollfuss then began governing by decree as a dictator with absolute power.
Politics and government
Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States of America. He was the last president to be inaugurated on March 4. Mr. Roosevelt was sworn in by Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes at the east portico of the Capitol. In his inaugural address, Mr. Roosevelt said: "This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
Among Mr. Roosevelt's cabinet ministers was Frances Perkins, who, as Secretary of Labor, became the first woman to hold a U.S. federal cabinet post.
75 years ago
1938
Died on this date
George Foster Peabody, 85. U.S. banker and philanthropist. Mr. Peabody is best known for his legacy, the George Foster Peabody Awards for excellence in radio, television, and world wide web content.
70 years ago
1943
Movies
The Academy Awards for 1942 were presented at the Cocoanut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The winners included: Picture--Mrs. Miniver; Director--William Wyler (Mrs. Miniver); Actor--James Cagney (Yankee Doodle Dandy); Actress--Greer Garson (Mrs. Miniver); Supporting Actor--Van Heflin (Johnny Eager); and Supporting Actress--Teresa Wright (Mrs. Miniver). Miss Garson's acceptance speech, at nearly six minutes, became legendary as the longest acceptance speech in Oscar history.
War
On the northwestern front, Soviet forces captured the railroad towns of Olenino, Chertolino, and Manchalovo. The Battle of the Bismarck Sea in the South Pacific Ocean concluded, with U.S. and Australian forces winning a decisive victory over Japanese forces.
Diplomacy
Costa Rican President Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia arrived in Mexico City.
Politics and government
U.S. Representative John Taber (Republican--New York) assailed the Office of War Information comic book The Life of FDR as propaganda designed to promote a fourth term as President for Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Economics and finance
U.S. Lend-Lease Administrator Edward Stettinius announced that $295,501,494 worth of Lend-Lease goods had been sent to India since March 1941.
Labour
U.S. Maritime Commission Chairman Rear Admiral Emory Land told the House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee that "illegitimate absenteeism" among shipyard workers was costing the construction program 100 Liberty ships per year. Texas Governor Coke Stevenson announced that state union leaders had signed a pact oulawing strikes, slowdowns, and lockouts for the duration of World War II.
60 years ago
1953
On the radio
I Was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews
Tonight’s episode: One Way Ticket
50 years ago
1963
Music
The single Surfin' U.S.A./Shut Down by the Beach Boys was released on Capitol Records. Surfin' U.S.A., which was Chuck Berry's 1958 hit Sweet Little Sixteen with new lyrics by Brian Wilson, was originally released with Mr. Wilson credited as the sole writer. When Mr. Berry understandably complained, later pressings of the 45 and issues of the song on albums gave Mr. Berry sole credit as the writer.
40 years ago
1973
On television tonight
Rod Serling's Night Gallery, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Death on a Barge, starring Lesley Ann Warren, Lou Antonio, Brooke Bundy, and Robert Pratt
Tennis
19-year-old Chris Evert won her first professional tournament, defeating Virginia Wade in the finals of the S&H Green Stamps event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Miss Evert's hometown.
30 years ago
1983
Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): I Don't Wanna Dance--Eddy Grant
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Major Tom (Völlig Losgelöst)--Peter Schilling (6th week at #1)
25 years ago
1988
Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne
At the movies
The House on Carroll Street, produced and directed by Peter Yates and starring Kelly McGillis, Jeff Daniels, and Mandy Patinkin, opened in theatres.
Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, in an attempt to stimulate the Middle East peace process, met with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres in Jerusalem; with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus; and with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. Mr. Shultz was unable to report any progress.
Economics and finance
Panama ordered the nation's banks to close "until the supply of dollar bills can be regularized." Although a general strike against the regime of Gen. Manuel Noriega had ended, the bank closing devastated the economy again.
20 years ago
1993
Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat–IFPI Finland): Sad But True--Metallica
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