1953: Following the death of her father, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in a coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

1886: President Grover Cleveland wed Frances Folsom in a White House ceremony. Daughter of Cleveland's late law partner, the bride was 27 years younger than her husband. After reading law and clerking at a Buffalo, New York law firm, Cleveland was admitted to the bar in 1859. He was elected mayor of Buffalo in 1881 and governor of New York State in 1882. As governor, his opposition to patronage raised his national standing. Cleveland brought his belief in clean government to the White House in 1885. (Source: Library of Congress)

1731: Martha Washington, wife of first president George Washington, was born. Her maiden name was Martha Dandridge. She died in 1802. George Washington died in 1799.