On this date...

HMS Sloop of War Falcon

In 1775, HMS Sloop of war Falcon seized two small sloops at [New] Bedford, Massachusetts to use as transports.

In 1778, Congress appointed Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Inspector General of the Continental Army with the rank and pay of major general on General Washington's recommendation.

In 1809 Mary Kries became the first woman to receive a US Patent for her technique of weaving straw with silk. James Madison would sign the patent.

In 1862, Mexican forces under the command of Texas-born General Ignacio Seguín Zaragoza defeated the French military at the Battle of Puebla, Mexico.

In 1864, the Battle of Wilderness occurred near Fredericksburg, VA

In 1868, Martha Jones is the first black woman to receive a US patent for inventing a machine that husk and shelled corn.

In 1891, Carnegie Hall opens in New York City.

In 1892, Congress extends the Chinese Exclusion Act for 10 years.

In 1904, Cy Young threw the first ever perfect game in baseball.

In 1925, Teacher John Scopes was arrested in Tennessee for teaching evolution in the public schools.

In 1945 an adult and 5 children were killed when they accidently dragged a Japanese ballon out of the forest which was armed and went off when they moved it. They were the only people to be killed on the continental US during World War II.

In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first US Astronaut to travel in space.

In 1973, American racehorse Secretariat (1970–89) won the Kentucky Derby The first of three significant races to obtaining the US Triple Crown. He would win the other two that year as well.