ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1791, the Bill of Rights went into effect in the United States, although sometimes, you wouldn't know it. They are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

On this date in 1836, the patent office in Washington, DC, burned to the ground. If only they had approved that patent for a fire extinguisher sooner.

In 1854, the first mechanical street sweeper went into service. Too bad most of the roads back then were dirt.

On this date in 1859, G.R. Kirchoff described the chemical composition of the sun in his famous "Hot Stuff" dissertation.

In 1877, Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. Finally, he had something to do with all his records.

On this date in 1944 Dwight Eisenhower became a five-star general. For those not familiar with military terms, that meant he was really spicy.

Davy Crockett premiered on television way back in 1954. The show -- which aired in five segments -- is considered TV's first mini-series. The show spawned the famous coonskin cap, although Crockett never wore one.