On November 4th, 1842, Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois, after one of the most famously complicated courtships in American history. The two had met at a social event in 1839, and their connection was immediate—Mary, who was well-educated and politically minded, admired Lincoln’s sharp intellect and dry humor. But Lincoln’s deep insecurities and bouts of melancholy caused him to break off their first engagement in 1841, a decision that left both of them heartbroken. Despite this, mutual friends believed they were destined for each other and helped them reconcile a year later.

Their wedding took place at the home of Mary’s sister, Elizabeth Edwards. The ceremony was small and informal, with only a handful of guests. Lincoln wore a borrowed suit, and the couple’s entire wedding cost less than five dollars. Though it lacked grandeur, the day marked the beginning of a union that would endure personal tragedy, political pressure, and national turmoil. Mary’s ambition matched Lincoln’s, and she pushed him to pursue greater goals—eventually helping him reach the presidency in 1861.

Their marriage, however, was far from peaceful. They faced financial struggles, the loss of three sons, and the relentless public scrutiny that came with Lincoln’s rise to power. Yet Mary remained fiercely loyal to her husband, even as war divided the nation. Lincoln once said, “My wife is as true as steel,” a rare expression of affection from a man known for restraint.

When Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, Mary’s world shattered. She never fully recovered, spending her later years in deep mourning. Their wedding day, once so humble, had set in motion one of America’s most consequential partnerships—one that would change the nation forever.

On November 4th, 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter made a discovery that would rewrite the history of Egyptology. After years of fruitless searching in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Carter’s workers uncovered a step hidden beneath the sand. As they dug deeper, they found a staircase leading to a sealed doorway stamped with royal insignias. Realizing the potential magnitude of the find, Carter immediately sent word to his patron, Lord Carnarvon, who financed the expedition.

When Carnarvon arrived weeks later, the two men carefully broke through the doorway. Holding up a candle, Carter gazed through a small hole and glimpsed treasures beyond imagination—golden statues, thrones, and chariots glinting in the light. When Carnarvon asked if he could see anything, Carter famously replied, “Yes, wonderful things.” What they had discovered was the intact tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, a teenage ruler who had died over 3,000 years earlier.

The tomb’s contents were breathtaking: more than 5,000 artifacts, including the now-iconic gold death mask that became a global symbol of ancient Egypt. The find captivated the world, sparking an international obsession with archaeology and Egyptian art. It was the first time a pharaoh’s tomb had been found nearly untouched by grave robbers, offering historians an unprecedented glimpse into royal life during the New Kingdom period.

However, the discovery also ignited the myth of the “Pharaoh’s curse.” When Lord Carnarvon died mysteriously a few months later, rumors spread that those who disturbed the tomb would face misfortune. Whether legend or coincidence, the tale only deepened the allure of King Tut’s legacy, ensuring that the boy-king—and the man who found him—would never be forgotten.

Electric Invention⚡️
The electric chair was invented by a dentist who thought electricity was more humane than hanging. Dr. Albert Southwick witnessed a drunk man accidentally electrocute himself in 1881 and thought "that looks quick" - he convinced New York to adopt electric chairs as "humane execution," creating one of history's most horrifying death machines from good intentions.

Oxford University🏛️
Oxford University existed for hundreds of years before the Aztec Empire was even founded. Oxford was teaching students by 1096, the Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan in 1325 - meaning Oxford is 200+ years older than the Aztec civilization, making it absurdly ancient.

National Animal🦄
Scotland's national animal is the unicorn because they believed it was a real creature. Since the 12th century, Scotland has claimed the mythical unicorn as its symbol - they genuinely thought unicorns existed and were powerful enough to represent their country, and it's still official today despite knowing unicorns are fake.

The YoYo Weapon🪀
The yo-yo was originally a Filipino hunting weapon used for 400 years before becoming a toy. Ancient Filipino hunters used large yo-yos with sharp edges and 20-foot strings to knock out prey or enemies - Spanish colonizers saw kids playing with smaller versions and turned a weapon into one of history's most popular toys.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past.