In 1586, Sir Thomas Harriot introduces potatoes to Europe
In 1866, the metric system was authorized for the standardization of weights and measures throughout the United States this day.
In 1868: The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing due process of law, was declared in effect.
In 1896: The city of Miami was incorporated.
In 1900, Louis Lassing invented the hamburger.
In 1914, The Foxtrot is first danced at the New Amsterdam Roof Garden in New York City. Music by Harry Fox (who else?).
In 1933, The singing telegram was introduced on this day. The first person to receive a singing telegram was singer, Rudy Vallee, in honor of his 32nd birthday.
In 1945: A U.S. Army bomber crashed into the 79th floor of New York's Empire State Building, killing 14 people.
In 1948, "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" starring Bela Lagosi, Lon Chaney Jr., and Glenn Strange opened at the Criterion.
In 1951, Walt Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" animated movie was released in the movie theaters in the U.S.A.
In 1958, "Concentration", TV Game Show; debut on NBC. Hugh Downs was the original host (thru 1965) of this puzzle based game show, which would run on & off on NBC into the 90s
In 1978, "FOOD FIIIIGHT!" That's the battle cry from Bluto Blutarski as "National Lampoon's Animal House" opened in movie theaters and went on to become the highest grossing comedy of its time, launching "Saturday Night Live" cast member John Belushi into superstardom.
In 1982, "An Officer And A Gentleman" starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger, and Louis Gossett Jr. opened in theaters in the U.S.A.
In 1995, "Waterworld" starring Kevin Costner and the most expensive movie ever made at almost $200 million to make, opened in theaters.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Darryl Hickman (“The Grapes of Wrath”) is 90. Cartoonist Jim Davis (“Garfield”) is 76. Actress Linda Kelsey (“Lou Grant”) is 75. Actress Sally Struthers is 74. CBS News anchor Scott Pelley is 64. Actor Michael Hayden (“Murder One”) is 58. Actress Lori Loughlin (“90210,” "Full House”) is 57. Actress Elizabeth Berkley (“Showgirls,” "Saved By The Bell”) is 49. Actor John David Washington (“BlacKkKlansman”) is 37. Actor Jon Michael Hill (“Elementary”) is 36. Actor Dustin Milligan (“90210”) is 36.