Today in history

On March 1, 1781, Congress the adopted Continental the Articles of Confederation.

In 1792 Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II died; he was succeeded by his son, Francis II.

In 1790 Congress authorized the first U.S. Census.

In 1803 Ohio’s legislature met for the first time. This event was recognized by Congress in 1953 as the official date of Ohio statehood.

In 1845 President John Tyler signed a congressional resolution to annex the Republic of Texas.

In 1864 Rebecca Lee became the first black woman to receive an American medical degree, from the New England Female Medical College in Boston.

In 1867 Nebraska became the 37th state.

In 1872 Congress authorized creation of Yellowstone National Park.

In 1875 Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which guaranteed all Americans regardless of “race, color or persuasion” equal access to public facilities. (The Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1883.)

In 1890 J.P. Lippincott published the first U.S. edition of the Sherlock Holmes story “A Study in Scarlet” by Arthur Conan Doyle.

In 1896 the Battle of Adowa began in Ethiopia between the forces of Emperor Menelik II and Italian troops. (The Italians suffered a crushing defeat.)

In 1940 “Native Son” by Richard Wright was first published.