Hollow Leg History | What Happened on This Date, September 18?

Hollow Leg Podcast

1793

George Washington lays the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building, the home of the legislative branch of American government. The building would take nearly a century to complete, as architects came and went, the British set fire to it and it was called into use during the Civil War by Union troops as a hospital and barracks. Today, the Capitol building, with its famous cast-iron dome and important collection of American art, is part of the Capitol Complex, which includes six Congressional office buildings and three Library of Congress buildings, all developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

1810

Chile's first junta proclaims autonomous republic. A nine-member junta takes control of the government, starting the Chilean War of Independence. Spain will attempt to reimpose its rule over the country, but after more than a decade of fighting, the last Spanish troops will finally surrender on January 15, 1826.

1851

Whig Party politician Henry Raymond and ex-banker George Jones publish the inaugural issue of 'The New-York Daily Times.' It'll become better known by a shortened name, 'The New York Times,' go on to win more than a hundred Pulitzer Prizes, and be deemed the US newspaper of record.

1870

A cone geyser that shoots thousands of gallons of boiling water 125 feet into the air is named 'Old Faithful' by members of an expedition. The geyser's astounding show, repeated at regular intervals, will soon make it a star attraction, with some visitors using it to wash laundry, at what will soon be the world's first national park.

1960

Fidel Castro arrives in New York City as the head of the Cuban delegation to the United Nations. He and his entourage caused an immediate sensation by deciding to stay at the Theresa Hotel in Harlem. While there, Castro met with a number of African-American leaders, including Malcolm X from the Nation of Islam and the poet Langston Hughes. On September 26, Castro delivered a blistering attack on what he termed American “aggression” and “imperialism.” For over four hours, Castro lambasted U.S. policy toward Cuba and other nations in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The United States, he declared, had “decreed the destruction” of his revolutionary government. By the time Castro arrived in New York City relations between the United States and Cuba were rapidly deteriorating. Since taking power in January 1959, Castro had infuriated the American government with his policies of nationalizing U.S. companies and investments in Cuba.