On April 25, 1901, New York became the first state in the United States to require license plates for automobiles—an unassuming administrative milestone that marked the beginning of a new era in transportation regulation. As motor vehicles began their ascent from elite novelty to…
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The Thornton Affair, also known as the Thornton Skirmish, served as one of the most consequential fights in American history. On April 25, 1846, Americans and Mexicans found themselves in a standoff near the Rio Grande, just north of present-day Brownsville, Texas. The incident…
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On April 23, 1635, in the fledgling Puritan settlement of Boston, the foundations of American public education were laid with the establishment of the Boston Latin School. The first public school in what would become the United States, Boston Latin was created not only…
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At precisely noon on April 22, 1889, the American West erupted into motion. The sharp blast of a bugle, followed by the crack of pistols and the thunder of galloping hooves, signaled the beginning of one of the most frenzied land grabs in U.S.…
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In the waning light of April 21, 1836, a force of approximately 900 Texian soldiers led by General Sam Houston launched a surprise assault on a larger, more experienced Mexican army under General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The clash, known as the Battle…
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The founding of Rome, steeped in myth and legend, is traditionally attributed to Romulus, who, according to legend, established the city on April 21, 753 BC. This event marks the beginning of one of the most significant civilizations in history. As the story goes,…
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At around 9:45 p.m. local time on April 20, 2010, a series of explosions shook the Deepwater Horizon, an offshore rig operating 41 miles off Louisiana’s coast. Leased by BP and run by Transocean, the rig was drilling a deep exploratory well in the…
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Daniel E. Sickles was no ordinary figure in 19th-century American politics. Born in New York City in 1819, Sickles was a man of contradictions—a flamboyant and controversial character whose life would be forever marked by two infamous events: his murder of Philip Barton Key and his…
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On April 19, 1956, the world watched in rapt attention as Hollywood royalty became actual royalty. In a union that seemed plucked from the script of a romantic film, American actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, transforming from an Oscar-winning screen…
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On April 18, 1506, under the direction of Pope Julius II, the cornerstone of what would become one of the most iconic churches in Christendom—St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City—was laid. The event marked not only the beginning of a monumental architectural project but…
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