History Today

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on August 4th. The story of Anne Frank--the teenager whose diary brought to life the horrors of World War II-- has resonated for decades with people around the world. It was on this day in 1944, after two years spent hiding from the Nazis, that the Frank family was captured and sent to concentration camps.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on August 3rd. With the NBA back in action after being shuttered for much of the season due to COVID-19, we look back to this day in 1949. That’s when the NBA was born out of a merger between the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League. The new league kicked off with 17 teams, but that number sank to just 9 teams by 1953 due to lack of fan interest.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on August 2nd. Have you filled out your census form yet? The census has been used as a way to count Americans and distribute resources since way back on this day in 1790 when the very first census began. According to the original census law, every American household had to be visited, and the completed census schedules had to be posted in “two of the most public places.” The final count came in at about 3.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on August 1st. Amusement parks have been synonymous with summer fun since this day in 1961, when the very first Six Flags opened in Arlington, Texas. The park was the first to feature log flume and mine train rides and later, the first 360-degree looping roller coaster, modern parachute drop and man-made river rapids ride. During its opening year, a day at Six Flags cost $2.75 for an adult and $2.25 for a child.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on July 31st. What were you doing when you were 19? Chances are, you weren’t accepting a commission as major general of a foreign army like the Marquis de Lafayette did on this day in 1777. The teenaged French aristocrat had sailed across the ocean in defiance of his king to fight for the Continental army during the American Revolution, despite the fact that he spoke little English and had no combat experience.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on July 30th. There are currently some 44 million Americans receiving Medicare benefits, and it’s all thanks to a bill signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on this day in 1965. At the bill-signing ceremony, which took place at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, former President Harry Truman was enrolled as Medicare’s first beneficiary and received the first Medicare card.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on July 29th. NASA--the government agency responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring moments in American history--was established on this day in 1958 when Congress passed legislation creating a civilian agency responsible for coordinating America’s activities in space.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on July 28th. With the recent protests shining a light on systemic racism in the United States, we look back to this day in 1868, when the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, finally guaranteeing African Americans the right to citizenship and all its privileges. The ratification came nearly three years after the 13th amendment officially abolished slavery in the United States.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on July 27th. In the midst of a hotly contested presidential campaign, we look back to this day in 1974, when the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passed the first of three articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon. On August 8, before the full House had voted on the articles, Nixon announced his resignation, becoming the first president in U.S. history to voluntarily leave office.

Hello, and welcome to This Day in History. Here’s what happened on July 26th. With the U.S. Post Office struggling to stay afloat, we look back to this day in 1775, when the Second Continental Congress established the U.S. postal system. At the time, it could take months for letters to reach their destination, and Congress saw the need for a more efficient system. Surprising fact? America’s first postmaster general was none other than founding father Benjamin Franklin.