This day in History, April 30th

1492 - Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration

1789 - On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first elected President of the United States.

1803 - Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 Million, more than doubling -overnight-the size of the young nation.

1900 - Casey Jones dies in a train wreck in Vaughn, Mississippi, while trying to make up time on the Cannonball Express.

1927 - The Federal Industrial Institute for Women, opens in Alderson, WV, as the first women's federal prison in the United States.

1939 - Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the first President of the United States to appear on television during the World Fair's opening ceremonies broadcast.

1945 - Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commit suicide after being married for one day.

1973 - Watergate Scandal: Pres. Nixon announces that top White House aids H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and others have resigned.

1993 - During a tennis match between Monica Seles and Magdalena Maleeva, Gunter Parche plunged a steak knife between Seles's shoulderblades. Seles did not return to competitive tennis for over 2 years.