1043
Politics
Edward the Confessor Crowned King of England
Edward the Confessor was crowned King of England at Winchester Cathedral. His reign would see the building of Westminster Abbey and set the stage for the Norman Conquest.
On This Day in History
1860
Invention
Pony Express Begins Service
The Pony Express began mail service between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. Riders covered the 1,900-mile route in about ten days using a relay system of horses.
1882
Crime
Jesse James Shot and Killed
Outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang, at his home in St. Joseph, Missouri. Ford had conspired with the governor for the reward money.
1936
Crime
Bruno Hauptmann Executed for Lindbergh Kidnapping
Bruno Richard Hauptmann was executed in the electric chair for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's infant son. The case had been called the 'Trial of the Century.'
1948
Politics
Marshall Plan Signed into Law
President Truman signed the Economic Cooperation Act, implementing the Marshall Plan. The program provided $13 billion in aid to rebuild war-torn Western Europe.
1968
Civil Rights
Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers 'Mountaintop' Speech
Dr. King delivered his prophetic 'I've Been to the Mountaintop' speech in Memphis, Tennessee. He declared, 'I may not get there with you,' the night before his assassination.
1973
Invention
First Handheld Mobile Phone Call
Motorola engineer Martin Cooper made the first handheld cellular phone call in New York City. He called his rival at Bell Labs to announce the achievement.