On this day: January 31
POSTED: 10:08 PM PST Jan 30, 2013
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Jan 30, 2013
The first Social Security check is issued, America launches its first satellite into orbit, McDonald's comes to Moscow, and "Avatar" hits the $2 billion mark, all on this day.
National Archives of the Unites States
1865: The United States Congress passes the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, abolishing slavery, submitting it to the states for ratification. The amendment was formally adopted when Georgia became the 27th of the then 36 states to ratify the amendment on Dec. 6, 1865. Pictured is the amendment in the National Archives, bearing the signature of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated in April 1865 before the amendment was ratified.
