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    On This Day in Tech History

    Stories Published June 4 Throughout History

    Historic Tech Events

    19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

    19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
    1919

    The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and sent to the states for ratification. The amendment stated that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The amendment was the culmination of decades of struggle by suffragettes and other women's rights activists, who fought for equal rights and representation in American democracy. The movement gained momentum in the early 20th century, with protests, marches, and other forms of activism. The amendment was finally passed by Congress in 1919, and over the next year, it was ratified by the necessary number of states. The 19th Amendment was a major milestone in American history, extending the right to vote to millions of women who had previously been excluded from the political process. The amendment paved the way for future gains in women's rights and representation in government, and remains a symbol of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America.

    The Kingdom of Tonga Achieved Independence

    The Kingdom of Tonga Achieved Independence
    1970

    The Kingdom of Tonga achieved independence within the British Commonwealth on June 4, 1970. Tonga is a Polynesian country made up of 169 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, located about one-third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii. Prior to independence, Tonga had been a British protectorate since 1900, although it had maintained its own monarchy and system of government. In 1965, Tonga was granted greater autonomy and became a self-governing territory, which paved the way for full independence in 1970. Today, Tonga remains a member of the British Commonwealth, which is an association of 54 countries that are mostly former British colonies or territories. While it is an independent country, Tonga still maintains close ties with the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries through cultural, economic, and political relationships.

    The World’s First Shopping Carts Were Introduced

    The World’s First Shopping Carts Were Introduced
    1937

    Sylvan Goldman, a grocer from Oklahoma City, is credited with inventing the modern shopping cart. Inspired by the concept of supermarkets he saw while living in California with his brother Alfred, they returned to Oklahoma to bring this new way of shopping to their home state, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. During the 1930s, while managing the Humpty Dumpty grocery chain, Goldman faced the problem that the traditional grocery basket limited the amount of products customers could pick up as they walked the aisles of the new large-format stores. In an effort to find a solution, he experimented with the design of the basket and eventually came up with the idea of placing it on a folding chair, which became a potential solution to the problem.

    Montgolfier Brothers Launched an Uncrewed Hot-Air Balloon

    Montgolfier Brothers Launched an Uncrewed Hot-Air Balloon
    1783

    Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier were French inventors who are credited with the invention of the hot air balloon. In 1783, they launched a large, unmanned hot-air balloon in front of a crowd in the town of Annonay, France. The balloon was made of paper and silk and was filled with hot air from a fire fueled by straw and wool. As the air inside the balloon heated up, it became less dense than the surrounding air, causing the balloon to rise. The successful launch of the Montgolfier brothers' hot-air balloon sparked a wave of interest in the new technology. Soon, other inventors began experimenting with different types of balloons and gases to lift them, and hot air ballooning became a popular form of entertainment and scientific exploration.

    The first Pulitzer Prize is awarded

    The first Pulitzer Prize is awarded
    1917

    The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award in the field of journalism, literature, and music. It was established in 1917 by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American newspaper publisher, and is awarded annually to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. The first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded on June 4, 1917, and included prizes in four categories: journalism, literature, biography, and history. The recipients included Herbert Bayard Swope for journalism, Jean Jules Jusserand for history, Laura E. Richards, Maude H. Elliott, and Florence Hall for biography, and Ernest Poole for literature. Since then, the Pulitzer Prize has become one of the most prestigious awards in the world, with winners including some of the most celebrated authors, journalists, and musicians of our time.

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