- 1807 – David Rice Atchison (pictured), who some claim served as Acting President of the United States for one day, 4 March 1849, is born. Atchison was President pro tempore of the Senate, which at the time was third in the line of Presidential succession behind the President and the Vice President.
- 1898 – American troops under General Theodore Schwan enter the city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico without a battle, as part of the Spanish–American War.
- 1929 – Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to 500 home runs over the course of his career, with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.
- 1965 – The racially charged Watts riots break out in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. They would last 6 days, claim 34 lives, and cause over a thousand injuries.
- 1999 – The Salt Lake City tornado hits Downtown Salt Lake City, killing one. It is only the second tornado in recorded history to cause a fatality in the State of Utah.
On this day for the United States
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Events
- 1898 – Spanish–American War: American troops enter the city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
- 1929 – Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.
- 1934 – Federal prison opened at Alcatraz Island.
- 1965 – Race riots (the Watts riots) begin in Watts area of Los Angeles.
- 1972 – Vietnam War: The last United States ground combat unit depart South Vietnam.
- 1999 – The exceptional Salt Lake City tornado tears through the downtown district of the city, killing one.