Monday, February 3, 2014

History of the Day: February 3rd

Posted By on Mon, Feb 3, 2014 at 12:00 PM

On February 3rd, 1967 Jimi Hendrix recorded his second hit single Purple Haze. The left-handed guitarist performed at the Woodstock concert and is known for his stage antics like lighting his guitars on fire. Hendrix is also known for playing the guitar backwards and upside down. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

Today marks the 90th anniversary of Former President Woodrow Wilson's death. The 28th president served from 1913-1921 and under his leadership, congress was able to pass laws such as the Federal Reserve Act. Wilson was also president for a section of the First World War. Wilson asked congress to declare war after Germany tried to curtail Mexico into attacking the United States. The former president was also President at Princeton and Governor of New Jersey.

On February 3rd, 1919 The League of Nations held its first meeting in Paris. The League of Nations was created after the end of World War One and included some 42 nations according to the historylearningsite.com. Founded in Geneva Switzerland, Its purpose was to maintain peace and resolve international issues. The United Nations would eventually take the place of the League of Nations in 1946 after the Second World War.

WWII Boeing B17 taxing at a AZ airport.
  • Photo courtesy of shutterstock.com
  • WWII Boeing B17 taxing at a AZ airport.

On February 3rd, 1945 almost 1000 b-17 flying fortresses dropped over 3000 tons of bombs leveling Berlin. According to PBS the strike against Berlin was the largest air raid ever dispatched. PBS also mentions that American ships targeted government buildings and railroad stations filled with German civilians.

On February 3rd, 1913 the 16th amendment of the constitution was ratified. As written in the constitution, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration." American's must all pay a federal income tax and have done so since 1913 when the states ratified the amendment. The bill was passed by Congress in 1909. According to legal dictionary, "The decision was unpopular and took the public by surprise because a federal income tax levied during the U.S. Civil War had not been struck down."

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