This Day in History — USA President

By 1927, America’s booming radio industry had filled the airwaves with interference and confusion. President Calvin Coolidge created the Federal Radio Commission to organize frequencies and regulate stations in the public interest. The decision transformed radio into a reliable national medium and laid the groundwork for modern broadcast and communications regulation in the United States.

In February 1847, General Zachary Taylor’s outnumbered volunteer army faced a massive Mexican force at Buena Vista. Fighting across rugged terrain, artillery and stubborn defense prevented collapse. By nightfall the Mexicans withdrew, yet neither side achieved a decisive victory. The battle forged Taylor’s reputation and became a lasting symbol of endurance.

On February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 authorized the forced removal of over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Driven by wartime fear and prejudice, families lost homes, businesses, and freedom. Decades later, the U.S. government acknowledged the injustice, reminding Americans how easily civil liberties can be compromised during national crises.

The presidential election of 1800 led to a historic crisis when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College. After 35 deadlocked ballots, the House of Representatives elected Jefferson on February 17, 1801. The peaceful resolution strengthened American democracy and led to the Twelfth Amendment, changing how presidents and vice presidents are elected.

In 1849, President James K. Polk became the first sitting U.S. president to be photographed when he posed for Mathew Brady in New York City. This historic image marked a turning point in political communication, ushering in a new era where photography transformed how Americans viewed their leaders.