Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. Known later as the “Wizard of Menlo Park,” he earned more than 1,000 patents and helped transform how people lived, worked, and communicated.
On February 10, 1967, the Constitution gained a long-missing instruction manual for moments of presidential crisis. The ratification of the 25th Amendment finally spelled out who takes power, and how, when a president dies, resigns, or becomes unable to serve.
On February 9, 1825, John Quincy Adams was elected president of the United States even though he had not won a majority of the electoral vote. The unusual outcome exposed deep political divisions and set the stage for one of the most contested elections in early American history.
On February 8, 1960, construction began on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Walk has expanded over time and now stretches along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. Today there are over 2,600 stars.
James Hubert “Eubie” Blake was born on February 7, 1887, in Baltimore, Maryland, at a moment when American music was on the verge of transformation. From those beginnings emerged a composer and pianist who would help shape ragtime, jazz, and Broadway for generations to come.
John (Johan) Ericsson was born on July 31, 1803, in Värmland, Sweden. He was an inventor and ship designer, most famous for his ironclad ship Monitor, which participated in the Civil War Battle of Hampton Roads.
Nikola Tesla was born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Austrian Empire (present-day Croatia). A brilliant inventor, engineer, and physicist, his experiments and research changed the world.
Inventor and businessman Cyrus McCormick died on May 13, 1884, in Chicago, Illinois. He’s best known for his mechanical reaper, which increased productivity, and advanced the industrialization of agriculture in dozens of nations.
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 February 11, 1983, America celebrated its first Inventors’ Day. The date was selected to coincide with Thomas Edison’s birthday, but it’s a day that recognizes the contributions of all American inventors.
Scientist Josiah Willard Gibbs was born on February 11, 1839, in New Haven, Connecticut. He was a Yale professor, inventor, and formulated the laws of thermodynamics.
On February 11, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation establishing Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. The 33,677-acre park protects ancient pueblo structures and is home to a notable Civilian Conservation Corp district.
Joshua Daniel White was born on February 11, 1914, in Greenville, South Carolina. A trailblazing musician, White broke barriers with many notable firsts…
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