During the U.S. Civil War on this day in 1862, the ironclads Monitor (left) and USS Merrimack (right), which had been rechristened the Virginia, fought to a draw in a five-hour battle at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
George Burns(Nathan Birnbaum) (January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996)
George Burns was one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. He and his wife, Gracie Allen, appeared on radio, television, and film as the comedy duo Burns and Allen.
During the U.S. Civil War on this day in 1862, about 14,000 soldier’s of the Confederate army surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Fort Donelson, TN.
The operator of a crematory in Noble, GA, was arrested on this day in 2002, after dozens of corpses were found stacked in storage sheds and scattered around in the surrounding woods.
Ray Brent Marsh addresses the court during sentencing proceedings in Walker County Court in LaFayette, Ga.
John Demjanjuk (above) went on trial in Jerusalem on this day in 1987. He was accused of being "Ivan the Terrible", a guard at the Treblinka concentration camp. He was convicted, but the Israeli Supreme Court overturned the ruling.
Former prison camp guard John Demjanjuk.
On this day in 1968, America’s first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, AL.
Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite (right) went to City Hall and called U.S. Representative Tom Bevill at the local police station for the first 911 call.
On this day in 2005, The NHL announced the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season due to a labor dispute. It was the first time a major sports league in North America lost an entire season to a labor dispute.
National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman announced the cancellation of the 2004-05 season.
Union Gen. William T. Sherman and his troops began their "March to the Sea" during the U.S. Civil War on this day in 1864.
William Tecumseh Sherman(February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891)
On this day in 1806, explorer Zebulon Pike spotted the mountaintop that became known as Pikes Peak (above).
Zebulon Montgomery Pike (January 5, 1779 – April 27, 1813)
On this day in 1777, The Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation, precursor to the U.S. Constitution.
In Washington, DC. on this day in 1969, a quarter of a million protesters staged a peaceful demonstration against the Vietnam War.
A judge in Mineola, NY, sentenced Joey Buttafuoco (right) to six months in jail for the statutory rape of Amy Fisher (left). Fisher was serving a prison sentence for shooting and wounding Buttafuoco’s wife, Mary Jo.
The Battle of Antietam took place during the American Civil War on this day in 1862. More than 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing. The Rebel advance was ended with heavy losses to both armies.
The Constitution of the United States of America was signed by delegates at the Constitutional Convention on this day in 1787.
Hiram King "Hank" Williams(September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953)
Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Williams recorded 35 singles, five released posthumously, that reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one, three posthumously.
Hank Williams on the fiddle with Big Bill Lister on guitar
"M*A*S*H" premiered on CBS-TV on this day in 1972.
Japan surrendered to the U.S. aboard the USS Missouri on this day in 1945, ending World War II. The war ended six years and one day after it began.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur signs the documents of Japanese surrender.
During the U.S. Civil War on this day in 1864, Union forces led by Gen. William T. Sherman (below) occupied Atlanta following the retreat of the Confederates.
The Great Fire of London broke out on this day in 1666. The fire burned for three days destroying 10,000 buildings including St. Paul’s Cathedral. Only 6 people were killed.
It was on this day in 1969.
It was announced on this day in 1985, the remains of the Titanic had been found on September 1 by a U.S. and French expedition 560 miles off Newfoundland. The luxury liner had been missing for 73 years. The tragedy of the RMS Titanic rocked the world on April 15, 1912.