New York City was temporarily declared the capital of the United States. (1788) The Congress of the Confederation set a date for the first presidential election at the Philadelphia Convention and named New York City the nation’s capital. Washington DC, the nation’s current capital, was founded in 1790.
Henry Bliss became the first person in the US recorded to have died in a car crash. (1899) Bliss had just stepped off a streetcar when he was hit by a taxicab in New York City, crushing his chest and head; he died the next day.
The hottest temperature in world history was recorded. (1922) The temperature in Al ‘Aziziyah, Libya, hit 136.04 degrees Fahrenheit (about 57.8 degrees Celsius) — in the shade. It remains the hottest temperature on record.
A peace accord was struck between Palestine and Israel. (1993) Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yasser Arafat, the PLO leader, signed the “Declaration of Principles” agreement and shook hands on the lawn at the White House in Washington DC
Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman to serve in both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. (1948) Smith was elected to the US Senate on this day representing Maine. She was serving in the US House of Representatives for Maine at the time. She also was the first woman in Maine elected to either governing body.
A railroad worker in Vermont survived an accident in which a 3-foot (about 0.91-meter) iron spike impaled his head. (1848) Phineas Gage’s survival and subsequent behavioral changes inspired a great deal of research into the brain and psychology. He died many years later in 1860. His skull with the iron bar impaling it is on display at the Warren Museum at Harvard University.
An Australian woman who claimed her baby had been killed by a dingo was put on trial for the child’s murder. (1982) Lindy Chamberlain was found guilty of murdering her 9-week-old daughter and sentenced to hard labor and life in prison.
The New England Patriots team and the team’s coach were fined for spying. (2007) The team was fined $250,000 US Dollars (USD) and the coach, Bill Belichick, was fined $500,000 USD for spying on the New York Jets.
English explorer Henry Hudson arrived at what is known today as the Hudson River. (1609) Hudson was exploring the 315 mile (507 km) river for the Dutch East India Company. The river later was named after him.
The highest point in the eastern Alps was ascended for the first time. (1850) The Piz Bernina mountain stands 13,284 feet (about 4,049 meters) high and was named by Johann Coaz, the hiker who made the first ascent.