Prohibition ended in the US (1933), gold rush began after President Polk confirmed gold reports in California (1848), Dow Jones reached 1,500 points for the first time (1985), AFL and CIO merged (1955), Christie’s held its first sale (1766), Einstein granted US visa (1932), Columbus discovered Hispaniola (1492), “Lost Squadron” crashed in Bermuda Triangle (1945), Jim Bakker indicted for fraud (1988), Spock and Ginsberg arrested for protesting Vietnam War (1967).
Prohibition has ended in the United States. (1933) Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st amendment, which repealed the 18th amendment prohibiting the sale of alcohol. This gave the amendment the three-quarters majority of the state approval it needed to pass.
President Polk confirmed the gold reports in California, starting the Gold Rush. (1848) Although gold was first discovered in California in January of 1848, news did not reach the East Coast until August, when it was reported by The New York Times. It was Polk’s confirmation of the discovery in a speech to Congress, however, that really started the nationwide rush.
The Dow Jones has risen above 1,500 points for the first time. (1985) This day also marks the largest one-day increase in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merged. (1955) The two organizations were actually rivals for about ten years before merging into the AFL-CIO, which became the largest labor union in the United States.
James Christie, founder of Christie’s auction house, held his first sale. (1766) The sale included two chamber pots, a set of sheets and pillowcases, and two irons. Since then, Christie’s has auctioned off some of the world’s most famous objects, including Degas’L’Absinthe, the Star of South Africa (a famous 47-carat diamond), Van Gogh’s sunflowers and 79 of the princess’ dresses Diana.
Albert Einstein was granted a visa to the United States. (1932) When asked whether he was a communist or anarchist as part of his visa application, Einstein replied “What is this, an inquisition? I do not intend to answer such silly questions… If I am going to enter your country as a suspect, I absolutely do not want to go there”.
Columbus discovered Hispaniola. (1492) Hispaniola, which is now the Dominican Republic and Haiti, was the last stop on Columbus’s first voyage (he hit El Salvador and Cuba first) before returning to Spain.
The “Lost Squadron” crashed in the Bermuda Triangle. (1945) The disappearance of five Navy torpedo bombers off the coast of Florida was one of the events that started the legend of the Bermuda Triangle.
Televangelist and Praise the Lord (PTL) congregation leader Jim Bakker was indicted. (1988) Bakker was indicted on over twenty counts of fraud and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Benjamin Spock and Allen Ginsberg were arrested for protesting the Vietnam War. (1967) The two met when held in the same pen, and got along well after Ginsberg taught Spock to meditate.
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