Snapshots Of The Past

Could bowling be America’s other national pastime? On this day in 1947, President Harry Truman inaugurated the White House bowling alley in the West Wing. Truman was a fan of bowling, and though Dwight D. Eisenhower closed the alley in 1955, Richard Nixon re-opened some lanes in a different location during his presidency. The White House has a bowling alley today that’s still in frequent use. 

Happy 216th birthday to the LOC!

What’s your favorite work by Shakespeare? 

On this day in 1816, Charlotte Bronte was born in England. One of the esteemed literary Bronte sisters, she was known for writing Jane Eyre, published in 1847. Charlotte was the only one of her sisters to live past age 31 -- an experience that lent a distinctive gloominess to her work.  

What do you think about this? This lithograph created in 1894 by Andrew Graham depicts "The Railroad that Leads from Earth To Hell" -- quite an intense depiction of the true concerns of the late 19th century: train expansion and travel, alcoholism and temperance, and revivalist religion.

#OnThisDay in 1790, statesman, inventor and writer Ben Franklin dies at the age of 84. He helped guide America into existence, created the public library and the Franklin stove, wrote Poor Richard's Almanac, and made major developments in the science of electricity. He was a delegate at the Constiutional Convention in 1787 and remained in Philadelphia until his death three years later.

#OnThisDay in 1889, legendary Hollywood entertainer Charlie Chaplin was born!

We have some incredible images related to the Titanic, including photos of its interior and exterior, images of lifeboats at sea during the sinking, portraits of surviving families and an image of Captain Edward John Smith the night before the ship's departure.

#OnThisDay in 1865, Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed by assassin John Wilkes Booth. He had been seeing a play at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C., shown in this stereoview image from 1927.

Happy Birthday, #ThomasJefferson! On this day in 1743, our third president was born in Virginia.

Of course, today, many find themselves streaming #movies instantly on their computer. What's your favorite way to enjoy cinema?

In honor of this anniversary, here are some of our favorite images of U.S. presidents with their favorite #pets -- including Coolidge with a kitten, Hoover's schnauzer puppy named Piney, FDR with his daughter and her dog, Taft's cow Pauline and several of Harding with his dog Laddie.

#OnThisDay in 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate cause to Ulysses S. Grant, general of the Union. This ended the Civil War which had for four years gripped the nation in its violence and division. This image was drawn on the day of his surrender, and depicts the Confederate General leaving the Appomattox Court House in Virginia where he officially surrendered.

In 2014, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Aaron's record, LIFE put together this fascinating multi-exposure image of the moment he hit No. 715, using photos layered together to create a complete picture of his swing, the flight of the ball, running the bases and finally, landing safely at home plate .