The US Constitution went into effect (1789), the Spanish flu was diagnosed (1918), Andrew Jackson held an open house (1829), John Lennon said the Beatles were ‘bigger than Jesus’ (1966), the FDA approved a blood test for AIDS (1985), the first socialist congressman was elected (1911), the American Automobile Association was founded (1902), Charlie Chaplin was knighted (1975), Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (1945), and Antonio Vivaldi was born (1678).
The US Constitution went into effect. (1789) The US Constitution went into effect on this day when Congress had its first meeting in New York City. Although the government of the United States operated under the Articles of Confederation for some years, the modern form of government in the United States began on this day.
The first case of the Spanish flu was diagnosed (1918) It was the beginning of a massive pandemic that lasted over three years and affected all continents. About one-third of the world’s population has been infected with the disease, and around 100 million people have died from it.
Andrew Jackson held an open house. (1829) More than 20,000 people stormed the White House, clambering over the furniture and grinding mud and food onto the carpets. The only way the staff could get them out was by placing large vats filled with whiskey on the front lawn. The tradition of the presidential open house continued until Grover Cleveland’s tenure in 1885, when he opted for a parade instead.
John Lennon said the Beatles were ‘bigger than Jesus’. (1966) The off-the-cuff remark caused enormous outrage in America and was the first major blow to Beatlemania. Many DJs in the Bible belt stopped playing their records and people threw scorching parties to burn their records and Beatles paraphernalia. Lennon later apologized for the remarks, saying he was misunderstood.
The FDA has approved a blood test for AIDS. (1985) The test was used to test all blood donations in the United States, saving countless lives.
The first socialist congressman in the United States was elected. (1911) Victor Berger was a founding member of the Socialist Party of America and was highly controversial for introducing an old age pension scheme, unemployment insurance, and public housing. He was later arrested for his anti-militarist views and sentenced to 20 years in prison, although the Supreme Court reversed the decision.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is founded. (1902) Now known for its road maps and discount books, the club was originally founded to help motorists find roads that were actually suitable for cars, which were few and far between at the time. The club also formed the backbone of driver education with the first widely used driving manual Sportsmanlike Driving.
Charlie Chaplin was knighted. (1975) Although many know Chaplin as the star of American silent films, he was actually born in Great Britain. He was said to be “stunned” by the knighting ceremony, which was reportedly delayed until later in his life due to his alleged communist sympathies.
Princess Elizabeth has joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). (1945) The ATS was very similar to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in the United States. Elizabeth, later to become Queen, served in the ATS as a lorry driver.
Antonio Vivaldi is born. (1678) Though best known for his Four Seasons, Vivaldi was a prolific composer and greatly influenced his fellow Baroque musicians. Although his work was popular during his lifetime, he died poor after a patron died on him.
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