TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

May 10, 1869

A golden spike was driven in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. ALSO ON THIS DATE

1774

Louis XVI acceded to the throne of France.

1775

Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Col. Benedict Arnold, captured the British-held fortress at Ticonderoga, New York.

1863

During the Civil War, Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson died of pneumonia, a complication resulting from being hit by friendly fire eight days earlier during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia.

1865

Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union forces in Irwinville, Georgia.

1924

J. Edgar Hoover was named acting director of the Bureau of Investigation.

1933

The Nazis staged massive public book burnings in Germany.

1940

During World War II, German forces began invading the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. The same day, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigned, and Winston Churchill formed a new government.