Founding of El Yunque National Forest
On January 17, 1903, the National Forest Service established Luquillo Forest Reserve (today known as El Yunque National Forest) in Puerto Rico.
This Day in History
First Homestead Claim is Filed
On January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman filed the first land claim under the Homestead Act.
First YMCA Opens in America
On December 29, 1851, Thomas V. Sullivan established America’s first YMCA.
West Point’s Eggnog Riot
On the night of December 24, 1826, a group of cadets launched an eggnog-fueled riot that was silenced the following morning.
Snow White Premieres
On December 21, 1937, Walt Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the world’s first full-length animated feature film.
Louisiana Purchase is Completed
On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was finalized with a ceremony in New Orleans. It doubled the size of the United States at a cost of less than 3¢ per acre.
First Transatlantic Radio Transmission
On December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi successfully sent the first radio transmission across the Atlantic Ocean.
First Nobel Prizes are Awarded
As instructed by their benefactor, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901, on the fifth anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
13th Amendment Frees Slaves
Almost two years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment was passed, ending legal slavery in the United States. On December 6, Georgia became the 27th state to ratify the amendment, earning the three-fourths majority required for it to become law.