1789 – On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first elected President of the United States.
1803 – The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.
1812 – The Territory of Orleans becomes the 18th state under the name Louisiana.
1927 – The Federal Industrial Institute for Women opens in Alderson, West Virginia, as the first women’s federal prison in the United States.
1945 – Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide. They had been married for one day. One week later Germany surrendered unconditionally.
1973 – Watergate scandal: President Richard Nixon announces that White House Counsel John Dean has been fired and other top aides, most notably H.R. Hadelman and John Ehrlichman, have resigned.
1975 – The Vietnam War formally ends as communist forces gain control of Saigon.
