1017
Politics
Cnut the Great Crowned King of England
Cnut, the Danish prince who had conquered England, was crowned King at London. He would eventually rule a vast North Sea empire encompassing England, Denmark, Norway, and parts of Sweden.
On This Day in History
1412
War & Conflict
Joan of Arc Is Born
Jeanne d'Arc was born in Domremy, France. The peasant girl would claim divine visions and lead French forces to pivotal victories during the Hundred Years' War before being burned at the stake at age 19.
1838
Invention
Samuel Morse Demonstrates the Telegraph
Samuel Morse publicly demonstrated his electromagnetic telegraph for the first time at the Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown, New Jersey. The device would revolutionize long-distance communication.
1912
Politics
New Mexico Becomes the 47th U.S. State
New Mexico was admitted to the Union as the 47th state. The territory had been part of the United States since the Mexican-American War but waited over 60 years for statehood.
1941
Politics
FDR Delivers 'Four Freedoms' Speech
President Franklin Roosevelt outlined four fundamental freedoms in his State of the Union address: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The speech articulated American war aims.
1942
Exploration
Pan American Airways Completes First Round-the-World Flight
Pan American Airways' Pacific Clipper completed the first round-the-world trip by a commercial aircraft. The journey had taken the flying boat across the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans.
1994
Sports
Nancy Kerrigan Attacked Before Olympics
Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at a practice session in Detroit, struck on the knee by an assailant. The attack was later linked to rival skater Tonya Harding's associates, creating one of the biggest scandals in sports history.