Reagan was shot in 1981 by John Hinckley Jr. Anesthesia was first used in surgery in 1842. The US bought Alaska in 1867, and a Danish prince was elected king of Greece in 1863. The modern pencil was patented in 1858. Paris was captured by the Sixth Coalition forces in 1814, and the 15th amendment was adopted in 1870. Populist farmers rallied to take control of Kansas state government in 1891. The Florida Territory was created in 1822, and Danger! debuted on TV in 1964.
US President Ronald Reagan was shot. (1981) Reagan was shot in the chest by John Hinckley Jr., but survived after two-hour surgery. Hinckley was acquitted of insanity and committed to a mental institution.
Anesthesia was first used during surgery. (1842) Dr. Crawford Long administered ether for anesthesia during surgery to remove a tumor. He pioneered the use of anesthesia in surgery and during childbirth.
The United States bought Alaska. (1867) In a move known as “Seward’s Folly,” Secretary of State William H. Seward purchased the land that would later become Alaska from Russia for approximately $7 million (USD). He was mocked across the country until gold was discovered in Alaska some 30 years later.
A Danish prince was elected king of Greece. (1863) Prince Vilhelm Georg, also known as George I of Greece, was elected to the Greek national assembly after overthrowing the previous king. George has been suggested as the next king by several European powers, despite him being 17 at the time of his election.
The modern pencil has been patented. (1858) The first pencil with an eraser attached was patented on this day by Hymen Lipman, who sold the patent four years later for $100,000 USD – a huge sum at the time.
Sixth Coalition forces captured Paris. (1814) Forces from Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, among other countries, marched on Paris on this day, effectively ending the main part of the Napoleonic Wars. Although Napoleon would continue to fight throughout the next year, he never regained his full strength after the loss of Paris.
The 15th amendment was adopted. (1870) The Fifteenth Amendment was the third in a group addressing slavery and African American rights. He gave African American men the right to vote, although it would take a few years for the amendment to be fully implemented in all states.
Populist farmers rallied to take control of the Kansas state government. (1891) The farmers were led by “Sockless” Simpson, an influential populist leader who was frustrated with the poor conditions of farmers in the Midwest. Simpson’s rally was effective; he was elected to Congress three times and is thought to have heavily influenced legislation regulating railroads and fair conditions for farmers.
The Florida Territory was created. (1822) The area had been ceded to the United States three years earlier but existed in something of limbo until organized into a territory. It became a state 23 years later, almost to the day.
Danger! debuted on TV. (1964) Although most people associate the show with Alex Trebek, Jeopardy! it was originally hosted by Art Fleming. The show was actually canceled in 1975, revived in 1978, canceled again in 1979, and only revived with Trebek in 1984.
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