Congress admits New Mexico to the Union, becoming the 47th state. Acquired from Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, its capital, Santa Fe, is one of the oldest American cities.
Texas Congressman Sam Rayburn in born in Roane County, Tennessee. Rayburn, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1912, served 17 years as Speaker of the House, the longest serving party leader in Congressional history. To honor Rayburn and his meritorious service, the newly constructed Rayburn House Office Building was named for him in 1965.
Samuel Morse successfully tests the electric telegraph at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey. His telegraph allowed messages to be transmitted via electric wiring using the Morse code alphabet.
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