Passage of the Presidential Libraries Act
On August 12, 1955, the Presidential Libraries Act was passed, providing for the organized transfer of presidential papers and other items to the federal government.
This Day in History
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Babe Ruth Becomes First Player to Hit 500 Home Runs
Hitting the first pitch he saw, Babe Ruth made history on August 11, 1929, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 500 home runs.
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Missouri Becomes 24th State
On August 10, 1821, President James Monroe signed legislation adding Missouri to the Union as our 24th state. When the US took ownership of Missouri, most of the land had already been explored. Many communities had already been founded, and farming and mineral industries had been developed. Missouri was made a part of Upper Louisiana; then, in 1812, the Missouri Territory was organized.
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Betty Boop Makes Cartoon Debut
On August 9, 1930, Betty Boop made her first cartoon appearance in Fleischer Studios’ Dizzy Dishes. From her humble beginnings as a secondary character, she soon grew into the studio’s biggest star.
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Opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics
The Games of the XXIX Olympiad opened in Beijing, China, on August 8, 2008. The games had the largest TV audience for an event up to that time, the longest torch relay, and the most participants for a Summer Olympics.
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The Peace Bridge Dedicated
On August 7, 1927, the Peace Bridge linking the US and Canada was dedicated by representatives from both nations and the United Kingdom.
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Birth of Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol was born August 6, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A leading figure in the pop art movement, he’s considered one of America’s most notable artists of the second half of the 20th century.
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Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed
On August 5, 1963, the US, the UK, and the Soviet Union signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Eventually, more than 100 countries agreed to prohibit nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in outer space, and underwater.
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US Acquires Danish West Indies
Nearly 50 years after the first negotiations took place, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies from Denmark, later renaming them the US Virgin Islands. The US again entered into talks with the Danish and the treaty was signed on August 4, 1916.
