1. 1864: Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act in Washington D.C.

On June 14, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, which ended slavery in Washington D.C. The act provided compensation to slave owners who voluntarily freed their slaves, and also established a fund to support the education and training of newly freed slaves.

2. 1954: The words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

On June 14, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill into law that added the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. The idea was proposed by a Chicago lawyer named Louis A. Bowman, who thought the words would help to reinforce the country's religious beliefs in the midst of the Cold War.

3. 1968: Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles.

On June 14, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Los Angeles. Kennedy, who had served as Attorney General under his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was a popular political figure and had been favored to win the nomination.

4. 1971: The first Washington D.C. Pride parade was held.

On June 14, 1971, the first Washington D.C. Pride parade was held as part of a nationwide series of marches and demonstrations to mark the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. The parade, which included both gay and straight allies, was a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ rights and paved the way for future Pride celebrations.

5. 1993: The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History opened its doors.

On June 14, 1993, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History opened its doors to the public for the first time. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts related to U.S. history, including the Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln's top hat, and Kermit the Frog. Since its opening, the museum has become one of the most popular attractions in Washington D.C.