It was considered a breakthrough for its time when, on this day in history, April 18, 1934, the first laundromat — or "washateria," as it was called then — opened in Fort Worth, Texas.
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.
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.
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!"
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.
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 Library of Congress — the U.S.'s oldest federal cultural institution — was born on this day in history, April 24, 1800, when President John Adams approved the use of $5,000 to buy books.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Margaret Thatcher became the United Kingdom's first female prime minister on this day in history, May 4, 1979, at age 54 — and led the U.K. for nearly 12 years, earning the moniker "Iron Lady."
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.
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.
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.
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 — marking the end of the war in Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On this day in history, May 16, 1986, "Top Gun" is released — and after rising to the top of the charts, it went on to become a Hollywood movie classic of the big screen.
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.
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