history

British music fans suffered a blow this week when venerable U.K. record store HMV announced it was teetering on the brink of liquidation -- but while the company makes a last-ditch effort to stay in business, it's worth taking a moment to pay tribute to the way it used its clout to help jump-start one of the most important careers in rock history.

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1879: Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time (more info) 1907: The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square -- then known as Longacre Square -- in New York City (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1620: William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims land on what is now known as Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts (more info) 1898: Pierre and Marie Curie discover radium (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1803: The Louisiana Purchase is completed at a ceremony in New Orleans (more info) 1860: South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1776: Thomas Paine publishes one of a series of pamphlets in the Pennsylvania Journal titled 'The American Crisis' (more info) 1777: George Washington's Continental Army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1903: Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright make history's first successful flight in a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft (more info) 1944: The U.S. Army announces the end of its policy of holding Japanese-Americans in internment camps, allowing "evacuees" to return home (more in

This week, families will come together from all across the nation for Thanksgiving. They will stuff themselves full of turkey, side dishes and desserts. Some will laugh and joke with relatives, while others renew old feuds and bicker with their cousins and siblings. No matter how your particular Thanksgiving winds up, you can thank the American Pilgrims for starting this long-standing custom. Read

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1920: In Dublin, 31 people are killed in what became known as "Bloody Sunday" (more info) 1922: Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia takes the oath of office, becoming the first female United States senator (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1945: Trials against 24 Nazi war criminals start at the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, Germany (more info) 1947: Princess—now Queen—Elizabeth marries Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in London (more info)

Coca-Cola is everywhere. The drink is sold in just about every supermarket, drug store and gas station across the country and throughout the world. Not much has changed since the product's inception except, of course, the price.

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1907: Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory collectively enter the United States as Oklahoma, the 46th state (more info) 1914: The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opens (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1777: After 16 months of debate, the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation (more info) 1867: The first stock ticker is unveiled in New York City (more info)