Sarah Jane Morris-Wheeler (born 1851)

In 1851, in the year that Sarah Jane Morris-Wheeler was born, from May through August, the Midwest was hit with record rain, causing the Great Flood of 1851. Iowa was hardest hit - the town of Des Moines was flooded and mostly destroyed. Many rainfall records held for over 160 years.

In 1863, in January, British scientist John Tyndall proved the greenhouse effect - which had been widely theorized, but not proven, by scientists.

In 1913, the 17th Amendment, establishing the direct election of U.S. Senators, was adopted. Previously, Senators were elected by state legislatures. As early as 1826, a call to elect senators through popular vote was championed and previous to the 17th amendment, two states had already changed their process. Governors are still able to appoint senators to vacant seats until an election can be held.

In 1953, on January 20th, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the 34th President of the United States. Formerly the 1st Supreme Allied Commander Europe in World War II, Eisenhower had never previously held a political office.

In 1969, on January 20th, Richard M. Nixon became the 37th President of the United States. Previously the Vice President to President Eisenhower, Nixon was the only President to resign in office - in his second term.