This Day…

1864 – American Civil War: Confederate spy Belle Boyd is arrested by Union troops and detained at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C.

1940 – Bugs Bunny, Warner Bros. cartoon character created by Tex Avery, Bob Givens (Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series), first debuts in “Wild Hare”.

1862 – The eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren, dies at the age of 79.

1891 – General Nelson A Miles, commander of the US troops at the massacre at Wounded Knee in December 1890, announces that the Sioux are finally returning to their reservation.

1866 – US House of representatives passes 14th Amendment (Civil rights).

1800 – Dr Benjamin Waterhouse gives 1st cowpox vaccination in the US to his son to prevent smallpox.

1945 – Abbott and Costello‘s film “The Naughty Nineties” released featuring longest version of their “Who’s on First” routine.

1861 – 1st public schoolhouse opens at Washington and Mason St, San Francisco

1943 – Actor Jackie Coogan (28) divorces actress Flower Parry after almost 2 years of marriage.