The New York Times Archives

Sad news, @nytarchives on Twitter is retiring after eight years. I've been lucky enough to post on this scrappy little account hundreds of times and met lots of passionate folks interested in our archives. Here's my favorite tweets! 🧵

On this day in 1965, civil rights activists led by Martin Luther King Jr. successfully completed their 50-mile march across Alabama from Selma to Montgomery. The march took four days. nyti.ms/37CRNOQ

Pakistan formally became the world's first Islamic republic on this day in 1956. nyti.ms/3qbEdsh

Illinois became the first state to require gender equality in employment on this day in 1872. @nytimes reported it later that year. nyti.ms/3ifEoOB

Alcatraz closed on this day in 1963. nyti.ms/3teSeY0

On this day in 1999, the first nonstop hot-air-balloon trip around the world was completed. The journey took 20 days. nyti.ms/37CferA

On this day in 1992, South Africans voted to end apartheid. nyti.ms/3MX9j0j

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Our photographer captured Katherine Hooper, 4, as her hat was adjusted by her father, John Hooper, at the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Fifth Avenue in 1987. nyti.ms/3u2GKpI

I'm no fan of Daylight Saving but these little clock graphics in 1909 do a good job of explaining the situation. nyti.ms/3qc5GKb

In 1993, Janet Reno was confirmed as the first female attorney general of the United States. nyti.ms/3pE47oa

On this day in 1977, scientists discovered the rings of Uranus (AP Wirephoto). nyti.ms/35SrdjC

In 1959, the Barbie doll debuted at the New York Toy Fair. At the time, buyers couldn’t see the potential, but 20 years later, more than 110 million dolls had been sold. nyti.ms/3KgZdVR

On this day in 1974, Charles de Gaulle Airport opened in Paris, becoming the biggest by size in Europe (it remains the largest in Europe today). nyti.ms/3HGv54D

After 18 years as the anchor of “The CBS Evening News,” Walter Cronkite said a final good night in 1981. “For almost two decades, we’ve been meeting like this in the evening, and I’ll miss that,” Cronkite said during his last show, @nytimes reported. nyti.ms/35r0BXs

On this day in 1956, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on racial segregation in publicly funded colleges and universities. nyti.ms/35Auy7c

In 1917, Jeannette Rankin, a Republican from Montana, became the first female member of the House of Representatives. nyti.ms/34So82X

Anyone still use CDs? In 1983, compact discs and players were released in the U.S. market. @nytimes had a feature comparing CDs with LPs. nyti.ms/3I6ItA4

In 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park in the U.S. nyti.ms/3I5ZPwQ

Frances Perkins became the first woman appointed to serve in the U.S. Cabinet in 1933, when she was chosen by President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt to be the secretary of labor. nyti.ms/3BxI07y

On this day in 1992, Tiger Woods,16, became the youngest player ever to compete in a PGA Tour event. nyti.ms/3sVlFwZ