1820: Congress passes the Missouri Compromise, temporarily resolving a political clash between slavery and antislavery interests in U.S.

1863: Congress passes Civil War conscription act, the nation's first war-time draft; all males 20 - 45 were required to register. Exemptions could be purchased for $300 or by finding a substitute draftee.

1931: President Herbert Hoover signs legislation making "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official national anthem. Francis Scott Key compossed the lyrics on September 14, 1814, after witnessing British bombardment of Ft McHenry during the War of 1812.

1991: The Rodney G. King case caught on video, 12:45 a.m., after King led police on an 8-mile chase through the streets of LA, CA

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