On this day in 1843, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park opened its gates for the first time.

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On this day in 1911, pioneering Black journalist Ethel Lois Payne was born in Chicago, Illinois.

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On this day in 1913, according to German legend, a circus performer named Otto Witte conned his way onto the Albanian throne.

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On this day in 1865, British surgeon Joseph Lister introduced a new technique to help prevent surgical infections.

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On this day in 1854, Henry David Thoreau’s classic book “Walden, or, A Life in the Woods” was published for the first time.

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On this day in 1960, the novelty song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” hit No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart.

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On this day in 1909, New Jersey homemaker Alice Ramsey completed her historic cross-country road trip. 

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On this day in 1890, convicted killer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed by electrocution.

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On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired more than 11,000 air traffic controllers.

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On this day in 1992, American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first woman to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the heptathlon.

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