On This Day - March 29, 2026

For the first time in history, Congress appropriates federal funds for a road. Section 6 appropriated the first $30,000 for the Cumberland Road which would extend from Maryland to Ohio. Eventually, the national highway would extend to St. Louis, Missouri, and the Mississippi River.

Niagara Falls comes to an almost complete stop due to an ice jam upstream.

In Atlanta, Ga, Dr. John Pemberton brewed the first batch of what is known today as Coca-Cola. He combined coca, wine, and other ingredients to create an elixir similar to that of Parisian chemist Angelo Mariani meant to cure headaches among other ailments. Not only did the tonic contain a form of cocaine (the coca plant is a source), but it was also an alcoholic beverage. Soon, prohibition came to Atlanta and Pemberton altered his recipe, removing the wine. Eventually, a process removing the cocaine from the coca leaves left Coca-Cola free of the schedule II drug.

The U.S. Government begins rationing meat, cheese, butter, and other fats. These items are added to a growing list of rationed items including sugar, rubber, coffee, gas, shoes, and metals. Don't even ask about the toilet paper.