Henry Ford introduced minimum wages and maximum working hours in 1914, while Eisenhower proposed sending American soldiers to the Middle East in 1957. The first American divorce occurred in 1643, and Kamikaze pilots received their first order in 1945. Nellie Ross became the first female governor in the US in 1925, and Truman delivered the Fair Deal speech in 1949. All My Children premiered in 1970, and “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang became the first hip-hop song to hit the Top 40 in 1980. Construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge in 1933, while Benedict Arnold captured and burned Richmond in 1781.
Henry Ford instituted minimum wages and maximum working hours in his factories. (1914) Ford limited his employees’ workday to 8 hours a day and nearly doubled their wages with a minimum wage of $5 US Dollars (USD) per day. At the time, such measures were almost unheard of, and Ford’s actions were one of the first to highlight the need for fair working conditions.
Eisenhower proposed sending American soldiers to the Middle East. (1957) The Middle East was experiencing strong anti-Western sentiments due to Egyptian leader Gamal Nasser’s close ties to the USSR. Eisenhower’s plan was to provide an American presence in the Middle East to try and stop the spread of communism. It was the beginning of a long series of controversial US interactions with the Middle East.
The first American divorce took place. (1643) Anne Clark received a decree of divorce from her adulterous husband, Denis Clarke. Clarke had effectively abandoned his wife and started a family with another woman. When he refused to go back to Anne, the court granted her a divorce.
Kamikaze kamikaze in Japan received their first order. (1945) Referencing an ancient Japanese legend of a protective kamikaze (divine wind), Japanese commanders instructed pilots to crash explosive-filled planes into American shipping. More than 5,000 Americans have been killed in suicide bombings.
The first female governor in US history took office. (1925) Nellie Ross became the first female governor in the United States when she succeeded her late husband as governor of Wyoming. Wyoming was also the first state to grant women suffrage, nearly 40 years before the rest of the United States.
US President Truman delivers the Fair Deal speech. (1949) Truman announced that every American had the right to expect a “fair deal” from government, which included a set of liberal social reforms. Among Truman’s reforms were an extension of the Social Security system and a huge increase in the minimum wage. Truman also proposed a national health system, but it was shot down in Congress.
All My Children premiered. (1970) The show was the first network daytime drama to debut in the 1970s and attracted a strong male following along with female fans: In the 1970s, 30% of AMC viewers were male.
The first hip-hop song hit the Top 40. (1980) The song was “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang. Before the song took off, it was nearly impossible to buy hip hop albums in record stores, and it was almost unheard of to play hip hop on the radio.
Construction has begun on the Golden Gate Bridge. (1933) Designed as early as 1869, when the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 it was the longest bridge in the world. It has since become an American landmark.
Benedict Arnold captured and burned Richmond. (1781) Today remembered as a traitor, Arnold led more than 1,000 men to sack Richmond, Virginia. Thomas Jefferson briefly attempted to defend the city with about 200 men but was forced to flee.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
