- The Salem Witch Hunt began. (1692) Three girls were brought into court this day on charges of witchcraft, sparking the months-long hysteria of the Salem Witch Hunts. More than 150 people were eventually accused of Satanic practices, and 19 were executed.
- The Articles of Confederation were ratified. (1781) The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of America, and marked the first time that all the colonies came together as a single nation. They were supposed to be ratified in 1777, but Maryland held out for four years before signing.
- The Lindbergh baby was kidnapped. (1932) The kidnapping became a major media event since pilot Charles Lindbergh was such an international celebrity. The child was killed, but the kidnapper was eventually caught and executed, and kidnapping became a federal crime in the US.
- The Peace Corps was established. (1961) The Peace Corps were established by President Kennedy to send Americans overseas to help other countries with development. The program was intensely popular in the beginning, and thousands of people volunteered. Since that time, almost 200,000 people have volunteered in the Peace Corps in over 130 countries.
- Yellowstone Park was established. (1872) Yellowstone Park was established by President Ulysses S. Grant, and was the first public national park. It remains a popular tourist spot today for its unspoiled landscape and famous geyser, Old Faithful.
- The first parachute jump from a moving airplane took place. (1912) Albert Berry, one of two men credited as the first parachutists, made his jump out of a moving airplane on this day. The parachute was not actually strapped to Berry, rather, he sat on a metal bar underneath it, and according to records, he dropped more than a third of the way to the ground before it opened.
- The first FM radio station in the US began broadcasting. (1941) W47NV began operating in Nashville, TN, on this day as the first modern FM radio station. Though FM radio had been used in demonstrations and experiments since the 1930s, W47NV was the first one to broadcast commercial material, as well as the first to get a license from the FCC.
- The US got its first incorporated city. (1642) Georgeana, Massachusetts — modern-day York, Maine — was incorporated on this day by an edict from King Charles I. It operated as a trading site for years before becoming a popular resort area in the 20th century.
- The French Wars of Religion began. (1562) The Wars of Religion took place between the Catholic and Protestant — Huguenot — forces in France on and off for almost 40 years. Although the Huguenots were eventually granted substantial rights, tensions remained in the country for years.
- Glenn Miller was born. (1904) Miller was one of the first major jazz musicians and a very influential big band leader. He was also the first person to ever win a gold record for his recording "Chattanooga Choo Choo." He disappeared over the English Channel during World War II, and his body was never found.