Here are five interesting facts about April 21 in the history of the District of Columbia:
1. In 1966, a devastating fire broke out at a bakery on 7th Street in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The fire claimed the lives of 12 firefighters and injured many others. April 21 is now recognized as "National Firefighters Day" in honor of the brave men and women who risk their lives to save others from fires.
2. On April 21, 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first Vice President of the United States in New York City. Adams would later become the second President of the United States and played a significant role in the early history of the nation.
3. In 1856, Washington D.C.'s iconic National Theatre opened its doors on E Street, NW. The theatre has hosted many notable performers, including Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell, and President Abraham Lincoln.
4. April 21 also marks the birthday of civil rights leader Robert B. N. Lewis (1844-1906), who was born in Washington, D.C. Lewis was an important figure in the fight for equal rights for African Americans in the city and was influential in the establishment of public schools for black children.
5. In 1914, the District of Columbia's first traffic light was installed at the intersection of 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The signal was a warning lamp that shifted between green and red to alert drivers to stop and go. This intersection continued to be a busy area with important government buildings such as the Nation Archives and Patent and Trademark Office.
5 Fun Facts About April 21 In District Of Columbia History
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