One of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, Bing Crosby, was born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. in Tacoma, Washington, on May 3, 1903. The first major star of multiple media, he was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture sales.
Educator Charles William Eliot was born on March 20, 1834, in Boston, Massachusetts. A pioneer in higher education reform, he was Harvard’s youngest and longest-serving president, and helped make it the premier university it is today.
Famed golfer Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1930, he became the first golfer to win all four major tournaments, achieving the sport’s first Grand Slam.
On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell transmitted the first words by telephone, to his assistant in another room. Bell had received his patent for the telephone three days earlier.
On March 7, 1850, Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster delivered one of his most famous speeches, the “Seventh of March” speech. It expressed his support for the Compromise of 1850 that would help avert a Civil War but proved disastrous for his Senate career.
American scientist Linus Pauling was born on February 28, 1901, in Portland, Oregon. He’s the only person to win two unshared Nobel Prizes, and one of just two people to have the prizes in different fields.
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. A founding member of the NAACP, he was a leading civil rights activist.
On February 21, 1965, activist Malcolm X was assassinated in New York City.
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard his Friendship 7 capsule.