1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
Federal News Network presents a daily update of important moments in the history of the U.S. government.
On Feb.17, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of the United States, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another in the United States. By 1800, Jefferson had drafted the Declaration of Independence, served in two Continental Congresses, served as minister to France and secretary of state under George Washington and had been John Adams’ vice president. Vicious partisan warfare characterized the campaign of 1800 between Democratic-Republicans Jefferson and Aaron Burr and Federalists John Adams, Charles C. Pinckney and John Jay. Candidates and influential supporters on both sides used the press, often anonymously, to make slanderous claims against each other, and the confusing voting process, which began in April 1800, ended in a tie between Jefferson and Burr by the end of January 1801 — even though they were on the same ticket as president and vice president, respectively. The final vote was decided by the House of Representatives, where Federalists ruled though were persuaded to elect Jefferson —a staunch anti-Federalist — president over Burr by Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton’s put downs of Burr led to the famous duel between them which cost Hamilton his life. Two weeks before the scheduled inauguration, Jefferson won the election and in his inaugural address, and the flawed voting system was later improved by the 12th Amendment, which was ratified in 1804.
(History.com)
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