On this day in 1809, French educator Louis Braille, namesake of the Braille reading and writing system, was born. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1848, Black American merchant Joseph Jenkins Roberts was sworn in as the first president of Liberia. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1942, thirty-three members of a Nazi spy ring headed by Frederick Joubert Duquesne were sentenced to serve time in prison.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1818, Mary Shelley's debut novel, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," was first published. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ship carrying Theodosia Burr Alston disappeared on this day in 1812. There's more to the story in the October 17, 2017 episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1953, Democrat, Tammany Hall operative, and civil rights advocate Hulan Jack was sworn in as the borough president of Manhattan. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Iroquois Theater in Chicago burned on this day in 1903. There's more detail in the December 8, 2014 episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1924, Edwin Hubble published his observations on the existence of other galaxies for review at an upcoming meeting of the American Astronomical Society. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of Lakota Sioux were surrounded and a tragic firefight erupted on this day in 1890. There's more detail in the August 10, 2009 episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1996, the Guatemalan Civil War ended when the Guatemalan president and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity signed peace accords. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.