TODAY IN HISTORY

On This Day in:

1503 – Physician, astrologer and clairvoyant Nostradamus was born at St. Remy, Provence, France.

1798 – David Wilkinson of Rhode Island patented the nut and bolt machine.

1799 – The first president of the United States, George Washington, died at the age 67.

1819 – Alabama joined the Union as the 22nd state.

1896 – Gen. James H. Doolittle, who led the first air raid on Japan during World War II, was born.

1900 – Professor Max Planck of Berlin University revealed his revolutionary Quantum Theory.

1903 – Orville Wright made the first attempt at powered flight. The engine stalled during take-off and the plane was damaged in the attempt. Three days later, after repairs were made, the modern aviation age was born when the plane stayed aloft for 12 seconds and flew 102 feet.

1911 – Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole. He reached the destination 35 days ahead of Captain Robert F. Scott.