Events, Births and Deaths Happening on this Date

1778

The United States won official recognition from France as the nations signed treaties in Paris.

1788

Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1899

A peace treaty between the United States and Spain was ratified by the U.S. Senate.

1933

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was declared in effect. The so-called "lame duck" amendment moved the start of presidential, vice-presidential and congressional terms from March to January.

1959

The United States successfully test-fired for the first time a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile from Cape Canaveral.

1978

Muriel Humphrey took the oath of office as a U. S. senator from Minnesota, filling the seat of her late husband, former Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

1998

President Clinton signed a bill changing the name of Washington National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

1999

Excerpts of former White House intern Monica Lewinsky's videotaped testimony were shown at President Clinton's impeachment trial.

2000

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton launched her successful candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

1756

America's third vice president, Aaron Burr, was born in Newark, N.J.

1895

Baseball legend Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore in the house which is now home to the Babe Ruth Museum.

1952

Britain's King George VI died; he was succeeded by his daughter, Elizabeth II.

1989

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Barbara W. Tuchman died in Greenwich, Conn., at age 77.

1993

Tennis Hall-of-Famer and human rights advocate Arthur Ashe died in New York at age 49.