Thirty Years Ago (1983):
Korean War ends. An estimated 125 million watch as Capt. B.F. Pierce is the last American officer to leave.
US invades Grenada to make that Caribbean island safe for American students who can't get in to medical schools in their home country.
Forty Years Ago (1973):
In the landmark Riggs vs King decision, the court rules that women shoud be granted equal access to sporting facilities.
George Steinbrenner buys the New York Yankees, and immediately signs Steve Austin to a six million dollar contract.
Mariner 10, Pioneer 11, and Skylab do not go looking for Pink Floyd on the Dark Side of the Moon
Fifty Years Ago (1963):
State Mutual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, MA, introcudes the Smiley Face. Mutual of Omaha, NE, introduces Marlon Perkins.
"The Outer Limits" premieres. Many American viewers smack their TVs trying to adjust the picture.
Sixty Years Ago (1953):
Tenzig Norgay marks the trail so Edmund Hilary can be the first person to reach the top of Mt. Everest.
James Bond appears in the pages of "Casino Royale", Marilyn Monroe appears in the pages of "Playboy"
Seventy-Five Years Ago (1938):
Superman appears in Action Comics #1.
Chester F. Carlson produces the first xerographic print.
Teflon is developed by Roy J. Plunkett at Du Pont.
George and Ladislav Biro invent the ballpoint pen.
Ugo Cerletti and Lucino Bini introduce electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for the treatment of mental illness.
One Hundred Years Ago (1913):
First prize is found in a "Cracker" Jack box
Income tax amendment (16th) ratified
Gideon Sundback of Sweden patents the zipper
Peace in our time! The Treaty of Bucharest ends the Second Balkan War, bringing a lasting peace to that troubled area.
One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago (1888):
Theophilus Van Kannel of Philadelphia patents the revolving door
William Seward Burroughs invents the first workable adding machine
National Geographic Society founded, dedicated to cluttering people's attics and basements with a magazine.