1870

The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting Black American men the right to vote, was ratified.

1913

The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, providing for a federal income tax, was ratified.

1917

The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, the same day an American cargo ship, the SS Housatonic, was sunk by a U-boat off Britain.

1959

Rock-and-roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a small plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. It would be known as “the day the music died.”