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Gold Standard Act
The Gold Standard Act was signed by President William McKinley to authorize gold as the only basis for exchanging paper money.
https://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/this-day-in-politics-088821 -
Hurricane Strikes Galveston, Texas
Galveston was destroyed from a Category 4 hurricane and killed approximately 10,000 people.
https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/benchmarks-september-8-1900-massive-hurricane-strikes-galveston-texas -
Oil Discovered in Texas
Texas plunged into the oil economy with the first oil gusher which spurt oil up to 100 feet into the air at Spindletop near Beaumont.
https://texasalmanac.com/topics/business/oil-and-texas-cultural-history -
President McKinley Assassinated
During President McKinley's public appearance at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, he was shot and died days later.
https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-william-mckinley-assassination -
First Rose Bowl Game
The first Tournament of Roses post-season football game between the West Coast's Stanford and Midwestern Michigan occurred at Tournament Park where Michigan dominated 49-0.
https://tournamentofroses.com/about/rose-bowl-game-history/ -
Motion Picture Theater Opens
The first motion picture theater was opened in downtown Los Angeles called Tally's Electric Theatre.
http://www.famousdaily.com/history/electric-theatre-first-motion-pictures.html -
Air Conditioner Invented
Engineer Willis Haviland Carrier invented the air conditioner.
https://www.williscarrier.com/1876-1902.php -
First World Series
The Boston Americans won over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-3 series. -
Presidential Election of 1904
President Theodore Roosevelt, who acceded into the presidency after William McKinley's death, was elected over Alton B. Parker by a large margin.
https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/elections/election1904.html -
Antiquities Act
President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act to protect and preserve lands with historic and scientific features to be designated as National Parks.
https://savingplaces.org/antiquities-act#.YFs99-hKhPY -
First Presidential Trip Overseas
With the construction of the Panama Canal, Presidential Theodore Roosevelt made the first presidential overseas visit while in office.
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/news/theodore-roosevelt-travels-panama-day-november-9 -
Oklahoma Became the 46th State
The Territory of Oklahoma merged with the Indian Territory to form the state of Oklahoma.
https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=OK085 -
First Ball Drop
New Year City began the new year with the first lighted ball drop in Times Square.
https://thisdayintechhistory.com/01/01/first-ball-drop-in-times-square-nyc/ -
Presidential Election of 1908
Republican William Taft defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in an easy win to the presidency. -
Boys Scouts Created
The Boys Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910 to teach boys patriotism, courage, and values.
https://oa-bsa.org/history/bsa-founded -
First Indy 500
The first 500 mile race occurred at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1911.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/one-hundred-years-of-the-indy-500-158836397/ -
Girl Scouts of America Formed
The American Girl Guides, later renamed Girl Scouts of the USA, was formed on March 12, 1912 to encourage outdoor physical activity in girls.
https://georgiahistory.com/education-outreach/online-exhibits/featured-historical-figures/juliette-gordon-low/early-girl-scouting/ -
Fenway Park Opens
Boston's Fenway Park opens with the first official baseball game between the Red Sox and the New York Highlanders.
https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/museum/timeline/1912-1919 -
Presidential Election of 1912
Three candidates ran for president in 1912 with Democrat Woodrow Wilson landing on top over Progressive "Bull Moose" Theodore Roosevelt and Republican William Taft.
https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/elections/election1912.html -
16th Amendment
The Federal Government ratified the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution establish an income tax.
https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-xvi -
Federal Reserve Act
Presidential Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act into law reforming the banking system.
https://www.federalreserveeducation.org/about-the-fed/history -
Babe Ruth's Debut
Babe Ruth made his major league baseball debut.
http://www.baberuthcentral.com/day-babe-ruth-history-july-11th-1914/ -
First Long Distance Phone Call
The first transcontinental phone call between Alexander Graham Bell in New York and Thomas Watson in San Francisco occurred on January 25, 1915.
https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=576 -
Coast Guard Established
The United States Life Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service were combined to form the United States Coast Guard.
https://info.mysticstamp.com/this-day-in-history-january-28-1915/ -
Virgin Islands Purchase
The United States took possession of the Virgin Islands in March after having purchased them on August 4, 1916.
https://moneyweek.com/403036/4-august-1916-the-united-states-buys-the-danish-virgin-islands -
Presidential Election of 1916
President Woodrow Wilson earned a second term as President of the United States when he defeated Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes.
http://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/1916-election -
World War I
President Woodrow Wilson entered the United States into the war against Germany as a result of their unrestricted submarine warfare.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/wilsonwar.htm -
18th Amendment
The United States Congress passed the 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol. -
Daylight Savings Time Established
The Calder Act, called Daylight Savings Times, was established dividing the United States into five time zones in order to save fuel.
https://www.thecongressproject.com/standard-time-act-of-1918 -
Treaty of Versailles
World War I came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwi/wwi-armistice/versailles-peace-treaty-june-28-1919.html