On This Date

0404 - The last gladiator competition was held in Rome.  1622 - The Papal Chancery adopted January 1st as the beginning of the New Year (instead of March 25th).  1772 - The first traveler's checks were issued in London.  1785 - London's oldest daily… more »

1492 - The leader of the last Arab stronghold in Spain surrendered to Spanish forces loyal to King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I.  1788 - Georgia became the 4th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.  1842 - In Fairmount, PA, the first wire… more »

1496 - References in Leonardo da Vinci notebooks suggested that he tested his flying machine. The test didn't succeed and he didn't try to fly again for several years.  1521 - Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther.  1777 - The Battle of Princeton… more »

1821 - The first native-born American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, died in Emmitsburg, MD.  1850 - The first American ice-skating club was organized in Philadelphia, PA.  1884 - The socialist Fabian Society was founded in London.  1885 - Dr. William… more »

1781 - Richmond, VA, was burned by a British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold.  1885 - The Long Island Railroad Company became the first to offer piggy-back rail service which was the transportation of farm wagons on trains.  1896 - It was… more »