In Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11, the Supreme Court issued its first ruling on compulsory vaccination
On Dec. 6, 1904, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was within the police power of a…
cartoon: uncle sam’s christmas Presents
Uncle Sam’s Christmas Presents by Bob Satterfield. The cartoon depicts Uncle Sam having received several cigars as Christmas…
Congress appropriates $5,000 to the Bureau of Chemistry to study chemical preservatives
In 1902, the U.S. Congress appropriated $5,000 to the Bureau of Chemistry (Bureau) to study chemical preservatives and…
In St. Louis, 13 children died of tetanus-contaminated diphtheria antitoxin
In 1901, diphtheria patients were routinely treated with antitoxin derived from the blood serumof horses. After 13 children…
The city of San Francisco’s quarantine of Chinatown was ruled discriminatory
In 1900, the city of San Francisco’s quarantine of Chinatown ruled discriminatory, but city health officials conducted house-to-house…
The Congressional Seed Distribution Program reached its apex
In 1897, the Congressional Seed Distribution Program reaches its apex: 19 million packets of free seeds – with…
The US Congress adopted the Rayner-Harris National Quarantine Act for medical inspection of immigrants
In 1893, the U.S. Congress passed the Rayner-Harris National Quarantine Act which established procedures for medical inspection of…
U.S. Congress passed The Margarine Act of 1886
On Aug. 2. 1886, the U.S. Congress passed the Oleomargarine Act which among other things, directed the Secretary…
Clara Barton founded the American Association of the Red Cross
On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton, named the “Angel of the Battlefield” during the Civil War, founded the…
An act of Congress dedicated land in Montana Territory for creation of a University
On Feb. 18, 1881, an act of Congress dedicated 72 sections (46,000 acres or 19,000 hectares) in Montana…
Peter Collier at the US Department of Agriculture recommended passage of a national food and drug law
In 1880. Peter Collier, a chief chemist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recommended passage of a national…
John B Hamilton began service as Supervising Surgeon (later known as US Surgeon General)
On Apr. 3, 1879, John B. Hamilton began service as Supervising Surgeon (later known as U.S. Surgeon General),…
Following yellow fever outbreaks, the US Congress established the National Board of Health
In 1879, following yellow fever outbreaks, the U.S. Congress established the National Board of Health, in part to…
Iowa became the first State in the Nation to accept the terms of the Morrill Act creating the land-grant system of colleges
On Sept. 12, 1862, Iowa became the first State in the Nation to accept the terms and conditions…
The Morrill Act which created the U.S. and-grant system of colleges was enacted
On Jul. 2, 1862, the U.S. Land-Grant College Act of the U.S. Congress was enacted which provided grants…
The Organic Act established the US Department of Agriculture
On May 15, 1862, the Organic Act established the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and directed its commissioner to…
Tariff Act approved which exempted foreign plants and trees from U.S. import duties
On Apr. 27, 1862, the Tariff Act, also known as the Dallas Tariff, exempted foreign plants and trees…
The first marine hospital in San Francisco was completed with special funds appropriated by Congress
In 1853, the first marine hospital in San Francisco was completed with special funds appropriated by Congress. The…
The Drug Importation Act was passed by Congress
On Jun. 26, 1848, the Drug Importation Act was passed by Congress. The act required imported drugs to…
U.S. Congress puts $1,000 into the Congressional Seed Distribution Program
In 1839, the U.S. Congress puts $1,000 into the Congressional Seed Distribution Program, administered by the U.S. Patent…
US marine hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana was authorized by Congress
In 1802, a U.S. marine hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana was authorized by Congress while the port was…
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The first U.S. patent was signed by President George Washington
On Jul. 31, 1790, Samuel Hopkins was issued the first patent under the new U.S. patent statute signed…