On this date...

In 1783, the Continental Congress ratifies preliminary articles of peace with the government of Great Britain.

In 1850, the city of San Francisco was incorporated.

In 1861, Lincoln declared an insurrection and called out Union Troops after Confederate Troops had taken over Fort Sumter just three days earlier.

1865, President Lincoln succumbs to his injuries and dies in Washington DC.

In 1912, the Titanic sank into the ocean taking 1500 souls with it. Only approximately 700 people survived due to there not being enough lifeboats and boats not being filled to capacity.

In 1920, Alessandro Berardelli and Frederick Parmenter were murdered in South Braintree, Massachusetts, leading to the Sacco-Vanzetti case and the controversial conviction of the two Italian immigrants.

In 1947, Jackie Robinsons plays in his first Major League game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 50 years later in 1997, his number is retired by Major League Baseball. No player on any team can wear the number again.

In 1955, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise restaurant.

In 2003, President Bush announced that the government of Saddam Hussein had fallen and was now under control of the United States.

In 2019, Notre Dame caught fire during renovations. It has since been repaired, renovated and reopened to the public.