On Nov. 5…
1867: Kansas’s Women’s Suffrage Amendment was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Kansas. However it was overall defeated by 68.65% voting no on which opposed the state’s constitutional amendment to provide women with the right to vote.
1872: Leading American women’s rights activist, Susan B. Anthony had cast her vote in the U.S. presidential election in Rochester, New York. During this time period women were not legally allowed to vote nationwide regardless of your status. She had believed the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution supported women’s citizenship and voting rights hence why she casted her vote. Following her casting her ballot, she was later arrested and found guilty of illegally voting where she was fined $100 yet she refused to pay the fine.
1956: “The Nat King Cole Show” debuted on NBC, being the first variety program to be hosted by an African-American. Despite Cole’s popularity, the show had struggled to attract national sponsors because of racial prejudice and discrimination in the advertising industry.
The program ended in 1957 after approximately one year, but it helped challenge racial barriers in American television and opened doors for future Black entertainers.
1968: Richard Nixon was elected as the 37th President of the United States defeating George Wallace. During his campaign, Nixon had promised to restore order amid widespread protests, civil unrest, and opposed the Vietnam War. During the time of his victory, American historical tragedies struck including the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy earlier that year.
1971: The National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers started a 33 game consecutive victory streak after defeating the Baltimore Bullets. The team was led by legendary players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich, under head coach Bill Sharman.
The streak lasted until January 9, 1972, when the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Lakers.
1980: Ronald Reagan won the United States presidential election in a landslide victory over President Jimmy Carter, while Republicans gained control of the U.S. Senate. He had served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Reagan advanced domestic policies that featured a lessening of federal government responsibility in solving social problems, reducing restrictions on business, and implementing tax cuts.