Do you know? On this day in the year 1776 In his Farewell Address, printed in a Philadelphia newspaper on this day in 1796, George Washington, the first U.S. president, implored his country to maintain neutrality and avoid entangling alliances with Europe.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1965 Japanese astronomers Ikeya Kaoru and Seki Tsutomu discovered Comet Ikeya-Seki.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1998 The Basque separatist organization ETA announced an indefinite cease-fire after 30 years of terrorist guerrilla attacks in Spain that were blamed for 800 deaths; the peace lasted 14 months.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1992 Astronaut Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to fly in space, part of the STS-47 Spacelab J mission.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1985 American professional baseball player Pete Rose registered his 4,192nd career hit, breaking the record set by Ty Cobb.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1846 American inventor Elias Howe was granted a patent for his sewing machine, which revolutionized garment manufacture in the factory and in the home.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1976 Marxist revolutionary Mao Zedong, who died this day in 1976, emerged as the undisputed Chinese Communist Party leader following the Long March (1934–35) and dominated China in the period after the communist takeover in 1949.
Do you know? On this day in the year 2022 After more than seven decades on the British throne, Elizabeth II died at the age of 96; her eldest son became King Charles III.
Do you know? On this day in the year 2019 Zimbabwean politician Robert Mugabe—who was the longtime ruler of Zimbabwe, first as prime minister (1980–87), then as president (1987–2017)—died at age 95.
Do you know? On this day in the year 1997 About a week after her death in a car accident, a funeral was held for Princess Diana, and an estimated 2.5 billion watched the televised ceremony, which included a performance by Elton John.