The U.S Supreme Court declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case on this day in history, May 17, 1954.
On this day in history, May 16, 1986, "Top Gun" is released β and after rising to the top of the charts, it went on to become a Hollywood movie classic of the big screen.
The remains of 17-year-old Army Pfc. Thomas A. Smith β who was killed in the Korean War β have been identified, and will be buried in his hometown of Grant, Michigan.
A pigeon parachute that was used to carry messages during World War II and D-Day was found in an old shoebox. The unique item is reportedly at least 80 years old.
Turkey has converted the ancient Chora church in Istanbul, previously a museum for over 70 years, into a mosque, marking the second major conversion in recent months.
Why do we say certain popular phrases involving love and emotion? Here are explanations for "It takes two to tango," "Wear your heart on your sleeve" and more.
President John Adams ordered the federal government to pack up offices in Philadelphia and move to the new home in Washington, D.C., on this day in history, May 15, 1800.
Skylab, America's first space station, was launched into orbit on this day in history in 1973. The space station was damaged during liftoff, but the astronauts repaired it.
Rhode Island clear-broth clam chowder is a local culinary tradition that traces its roots to Native Americans who prepared seafood stew before the arrival of cows and creams.
Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt by a Turkish gunman on this day in history, May 13, 1981. The pope would go on to forgive his would-be killer.
Mother's Day has a long history in the United States, having been made an official holiday in 1914. Take a look back at the origins of the day and modern traditions of the occasion.
The Rolling Stones recorded "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" after guitarist Keith Richards captured the riff in his sleep on this day in history, May 12, 1965.
Irving Berlin was born on this day in history, May 11, 1888. The composer would go on to write 800 songs, many of them American classics, after starting his career as a boy singing in the streets.
A sword once wielded by legendary Union Gen. William T. Sherman is among numerous historic relics headed for the auction block next week in Ohio's capital.
Joan Crawford, known for her Oscar-winning role in "Mildred Pierce," a feud with co-star Bette Davis and controversial relationships with her kids, died on this day in history, May 10, 1977.
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that mothers should be honored with flags flying at all government buildings. Later celebratory forms followed, including flowers and gifts.
Fox Nation's "Outlaws & Lawmen" dives into the history of the Wild West to recapture the stories of heroes and villains who helped shape law enforcement today.
President Harry S. Truman, on this day in history, May 8, 1945, announced to the American people that Germany's forces had surrendered in World War II β marking the end of the war in Europe.
The Civil War wasn't all large battles. The future of US special forces was inspired by Lincolnβs Union Scouts who fought Confederate commander Mosby with bravery and brains.
The song Hotel California hit number one on this day in history, May 7, 1977. The enigmatic lyrics of the rock song has led to many theories about its meaning.
Polish prosecutors have halted an investigation into human skeletons discovered at Wolf's Lair, Hitler's wartime headquarters, due to the advanced decay.
The Prado Museum in Spain has confirmed the authenticity of a painting titled "Ecce Homo" by Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, previously thought lost.
D-Day veteran Charles Shay is about to take part next month in the 80th celebrations of the landings in Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe.
Arkansas is set to replace the statues of two figures from its history that have represented the state at the U.S. Capitol with contemporary figures, officials say.
The 181st episode of "I Love Lucy," titled "The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue," aired on this day in history, May 6, 1957. The now-iconic TV sitcom ran for six seasons in its original run.
Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young hurled the first perfect game of the World Series era for the Boston Americans, later the Red Sox, on this day in history, May 5, 1904.
Margaret Thatcher became the United Kingdom's first female prime minister on this day in history, May 4, 1979, at age 54 β and led the U.K. for nearly 12 years, earning the moniker "Iron Lady."
A villa once owned by Adolf Hitlerβs propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, is reportedly going to be given away in an effort to end a decades-long debate.
Officials with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced this week that the remains of a 1909 shipwreck were discovered partially intact at the bottom of Lake Superior.
Margaret Mitchell earned a Pulitzer Prize in Novels for her Civil War epic "Gone with the Wind" on this day in history, May 3, 1937. She died tragically at age 48.
The King James Version of the Bible, the most popular book in the English language, was published according to scholarly estimate on this day in history, May 2, 1611.
The Empire State Building, the world's tallest skyscraper at the time and perhaps still the most famous in the world, opened on this day in history, May 1, 1931.
Jesse Leitch found a time capsule in his kitchen ceiling with artifacts dating back to the early 1900s and he intends to make one of his own with both the old and some new items.
President George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States on this day in history, April 30, 1789, at New York City's Federal Hall.
A unique family emblem forms the shape of a maze in Perthshire, Scotland. The maze at the Scone Palace tourism attraction is half a mile long and was originally planted in 1991.
The World War II Memorial opened to the public on this day in history, April 29, 2004, after more than two years of work on its construction. It honors the lives lost in WWII.
Archaeologists at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia recently dug up 18th-century bottles filled with a puzzling liquid. The liquid may be the remains of cherries.
Heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali refused to join the United States military at the height of the Vietnam War on this day in history, April 28, 1967.
The United States Marines Corps proved its resolve by leading a mercenary force on an incredible attack on Tripoli during the Barbary Wars on this day in history, April 27, 1805.
Union troops hunted down John Wilkes Booth, the Confederate sympathizer who shot President Abe Lincoln, before finding him in a Virginia barn and killing him on this day in history, April 26, 1865.
A retired U.K. geologist claims he's found Bronze Age-era artifacts in his backyard and surrounding areas, including blades and axes. "Finding the arrowhead was the starting point," he said.
The Hubble Space Telescope, proclaimed by NASA to be the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo, was placed in orbit on this day in history, April 25, 1990.
Bill Gladden, a British army veteran who played a significant role in the D-Day landings during World War II, has died at the age of 100, his family confirmed.
The Library of Congress β the U.S.'s oldest federal cultural institution β was born on this day in history, April 24, 1800, when President John Adams approved the use of $5,000 to buy books.
Four spears belonging to the Aboriginal Australians have been returned to the Indigenous community after being taken by Captain Cook in 1770 and presented to Trinity College in Cambridge.
A new memorial has opened in the Czech Republic on the site of a former Nazi concentration camp for Roma, capping a process that took decades, officials said.
Playwright William Shakespeare may have been born on this day in history, April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He would also die on this day, on (possibly) his 52nd birthday.
The JΓΆnkΓΆping County Museum in Sweden announced that it found 170 silver 'bracteates,' or coins, in a medieval grave. Experts said the coins are 800 years old.
Earth Day, a demonstration against pollution and for improved environmental policies, was first observed on this day in history, April 22, 1970. Demonstrations occurred nationwide.
Earth Day was born out of environmental activism and has led to the creation of important environmental safety regulations. Each year, it is celebrated by countries around the world.
In the Texas War for Independence, the battle fought on the banks of the San Jacinto River saw 800 texans battle 1200 Mexican soldiers. General Sam Houston cried, "Remember the Alamo!"
Near the end of the Civil War, the two sides started executing enemy soldiers. That led to an actual death lottery. But instead of it continuing, good men found the humanity to stop it.
On this day in history, April 20, 1898, the 25th president, William McKinley, went to Congress to ask for declaration of war on Spain in defense of Cuba, which had been battling Spain.
15 British soldiers accused of lying to an inquiry into Bloody Sunday, during which 13 civilians were killed in the Northern Ireland conflict, will not face perjury charges.
The City of Staunton Fire and Rescue received an interesting call from a Virginia residence after a Civil War-era projectile was found buried in the home's yard.
Military scientists have identified the remains of Army Pfc. Harry Jerele of Berkeley, Illinois, who in 1942 died of pneumonia while held captive at Cabanatuan.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the American envoy to the United Nations, visited the atomic bomb museum in Nagasaki, Japan, becoming the first U.S. cabinet member to do so.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivered his "Old soldiers never die" speech to a joint session of Congress on this day in history, April 19, 1951. Earlier, MacArthur was relieved of his military duties.
A large, mysterious object that is believed to have been once used at a "top secret" Cold War-era camp for anti-aircraft training was discovered on a Cape Cod, Massachusetts, beach.
A jawbone belonging to Marine Corps Captain Everett Leland Yager, who died in 1951, was recently positively identified after a boy turned over his rock collection to authorities.
The United Nations call for extra funding to support its advancement towards reparations for descendants of slaves who were captured and trafficked across Transatlantic countries.
It was considered a breakthrough for its time when, on this day in history, April 18, 1934, the first laundromat β or "washateria," as it was called then β opened in Fort Worth, Texas.