1620
Aboard the Mayflower, 41 passengers bind themselves into a "civil Body Politick"
Storms have blown the ship off its course for Virginia, and some aboard are saying that no one has the power to command them.
1839Member story · 1776 Club
Virginia Military Institute opens as its own school, and a cadet walks the first post in falling snow
At the old Lexington arsenal, 23 young Virginians muster into state service, and Francis H. Smith issues the school's first order.
1889Member story · 1776 Club
Harrison signs the proclamation, and Washington becomes the 42nd state
Secretary of State Blaine tells Governor Miles Moore the exact minute: 5:27 p.m., and the territory is no more.
1921
Harding buries an unnamed soldier at Arlington as the country falls silent for two minutes
Seven allied nations present their highest decorations to a man no one can name, and the President adds the Medal of Honor.
1926Member story · 1776 Club
State highway officials approve a plan to give the nation's roads numbers instead of names
Thirty-two states are already putting up markers, and the private trail associations that named the old roads have settled for a general agreement.
1982
Columbia lifts off with four aboard, the biggest crew yet, and two commercial satellites in the bay
After four test flights, the shuttle's fifth trip is its first with customers, and its crew rides up without pressure suits.