1778 – In Paris, the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Commerce are signed by the United States and France signaling official recognition of the United States.
1788 – Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the Constitution.
1862 – Forces under the command of Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew H. Foote give the Union its first victory of the Civil War, capturing Fort Henry, Tennessee.
1899 – The Treaty of Paris, a peace treaty between the U.S. and Spain ending the Spanish-American War, is ratified by the United States Senate.
1918 – British women over the age of 30 who meet minimum property qualifications, are given the right to vote by Parliament.
1919 – The American Legion is founded.
1952 – Princess Elizabeth became sovereign of Great Britain upon the death of her father, King George VI. She was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953.
1998 – Washington National Airport is renamed Ronald Reagan National Airport.
