History harbors beauty, and its study amazingly appealing. An eloquent historian will captivate the audience with his story-telling prowess.
Historical studies of heroes and saints have also helped in providing moral guide and contemplation, as well as serving as source of inspiration to readers, most apparent is the stories of heroes who weathered adversities and overcame.
Today In History
1. Jeannette Rankin Becomes First U.S. Congresswoman
On this day in 1916, Jeannette Rankin was elected to the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives. She is the first woman in the nation’s history to win a seat in the federal Congress.
Prior to Rankin’s emergence as a member of the U.S. House of representatives, women had been restricted from some opportunities, however with the encouragement of her progressive parents she had surpassed limitations and pioneered women’s suffrage in Montana.
2. FDR Wins Unprecedented Fourth Term
On this day in 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt FDR of the United States (U.S.) was unprecedentedly elected to a fourth term in office. He remains the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms.
FDR became one of the most influential and revered president despite his personal health and political challenges. He contracted polio in 1921, at the age of 39, a challenge that led to his eventual confinement to a wheelchair.
3. Two African American Firsts In Politics
On this day in 1989, David Dinkins, a Democrat and former Manhattan borough president was elected as New York City’s first African American Mayor. Dikins served a one term tenure and in 1993, lost his second term bid to Republican challenger Rudolph Giuliani.
Similarly in the same year, Lieutenant Governor Douglas Wilder also a Democrat, became the first African American to be elected as governor of Virginia in the history of America.
4. Magic Johnson Announces He Is HIV-Positive
On this day in 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson annouced his retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Johnson, a known heterosexual black’s announcement had shocked the world because many Americans had regarded AIDS solely as a gay white man’s disease. He was also one of the first sports stars to go public about his HIV-positive status.
5. Election Results Between Al Gore And George Bush Too Close To Call
On this day in 2000, United States (U.S.) presidential election resulted in a tie between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George Bush.
Gore, who was the sitting Vice President to then-president Bill Clinton had won the national popularity vote while Bush, who was the Governor of Texas and son of former president George H.W. Bush had eventually won the election.
6. Janet Reno, First Female Attorney General Of The United State Died.
On this day in 2016, Janet Reno, American lawyer and public official who became the first woman attorney general of the United States in1993 died.
Her political career started in 1971, when she was named staff director of the Judiciary Committee of the Florida House of Representatives. In 1973 she was named assistant to the state’s attorney general in Miami and eventually became the state attorney in 1978: She was reelected to the post five times, despite being a Democrat in a largely Republican area. She afterwards became the attorney general of the U.S under President Bill Clinton.
