1789 – In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the Constitution into effect. The Bill of Rights is written and proposed to Congress.
1791 – Vermont is admitted as the fourteenth state.
1794 – The 11th Amendment, which restricts the ability of individuals to bring lawsuits against states in federal court, is passed by Congress.
1797 – John Adams is inaugurated as the 2nd President of the United States.
1801 – Thomas Jefferson became the first president to be inaugurated in Washington.
1917 – Jeannette Rankin of Montana becomes the first female member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
1933 – Frances Perkins becomes U.S. Secretary of Labor, the first female Cabinet member.
1966 – In an interview, The Beatles’ John Lennon declares the band is “more popular than Jesus now.”
1987 – President Ronald Reagan acknowledged his administration swapped arms to Iran for U.S. hostages and said, “It was a mistake.”
