This Day In America October 24

by Admin on October 24, 2007

On Today’s date in 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph message was sent as Chief Justice Stephen J. Field of California transmitted a telegram to President Abraham Lincoln. There has been no evidence to support the rumor that the message Chief Justice Field sent suggested that Lincoln give Just for Men a shot.

On Today’s date in 1931, the George Washington Bridge, connecting New York and New Jersey, was officially dedicated (it opened to traffic the next day).

On Today’s date in 1939, nylon stockings were sold publicly for the first time, in Wilmington, Del.

On Today’s date in 1940, the 40-hour work week went into effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

On Today’s date in 1945, the United Nations officially came into existence as its charter took effect.

On Today’s date in 1997 in Arlington, Va., former NBC sportscaster Marv Albert was spared a jail sentence after a grudging courtroom apology to the woman he’d bitten during a sexual romp. “From Downtown………Yes!!”

Today Football Hall-of-Famer Y.A. Tittle is 81.