Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1863 – Confederate General Stonewall Jackson dies, eight days after being accidentally shot by his own troops (More info)

1869 – The First Transcontinental Railroad, linking the eastern and western US, is completed with the driving in of a golden spike in Promontory Summit, UT (More info)

1872 – Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman nominated for President of the United States (More info)

1924 – J. Edgar Hoover is appointed the first director of the FBI, and remains so until his death in 1972 (More info)

1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets release ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ which becomes the first rock and roll record to reach number one on the Billboard charts (More info)

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