The French declare war on England - diverting English forces from crushing the American Revolution, Mackenzie crosses the North American continent, French secret agents blow up and sink the Rainbow Warrior, the ship used by Greenpeace. And it is the birthday of Marcel Proust - with a reading from his "In Search of Lost Time."

In the U.S., the 14th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto is released, and the birthday club includes Elias Howe and Oliver Sacks - with a reading of Dorothy Parker's "Bohemia."

The Wall Street Journal publishes its first edition, the Dow-Jones Industrial Average closes at its lowest level of the 20th Century, and Pres. Richard Nixon announces a more equitable stance toward indigenous people in the US. It is the birthday of Ruby Sales - with a reading of Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope."

The New York City race riots of 1834 begin, the US begins its first military draft, Alaska becomes a state, the Ziegfeld Follies premiers its first show, and slice bread went on sale for the first time. This episode includes a reading of Myra Viola Wilds' poem "Thoughts."

Louis Pasteur tests his rabies vaccine, Jackie Robinson refuses to move to the back of a bus, John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet, and it is the birthday of Nanci Griffith - with a reading from her song, "It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go."

Isaac Newton publishes "Principia," Frederick Douglass delivers his speech "What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July," FDR establishes the Labor Relations Board, the bikini is modeled for the first time, and it is the birthday of Bill Watterson. This episode includes a reading from Douglass's speech, "What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?"

The Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, written mostly by Thomas Jefferson. This episode includes a reading of a letter from Benjamin Rush to John Adams about signing the Declaration.

General George Washington is named leader of the Continental Army, the U.S. Civil War Battle of Gettysburg is won by Union forces, and it is the birthday of Charlotte Perkins Gilman - with a reading from her short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper."

The U.S. Continental Congress resolves to sever ties with England, Africans take control of the ship "Amistad," and President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This day also marks the births of Herman Hesse and Thurgood Marshall - with a reading from Hesse's "Siddhartha."

The U.S. Civil War Battle of Gettysburg begins, Canada is formed as a nation, and the WWI Battle of the Somme begins. It is the birthday of George Sand - with a reading from her book "Indiana."