16th Amendment, Aid For Contras: This Day In American Political History

February 3: This date in American political history:

1913: The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, permitting the federal government to collect an income tax. Before 1913, tariffs and excise taxes were the primary source of revenue for the federal government. The only experience the US had with an income tax until this time was during the Civil War, when Congress levied a flat tax of three percent on income over $800 (or about $21,000 today). It turned out to be rather lucrative. As early as 1887, the Socialist Labor Party advocated a graduated income tax and the Democratic Party began advocating the tax in 1894.

1988: On a party-line vote, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected President Ronald Reagan’s request for more than $36 million in military and other aid to the Nicaraguan Contras 219-211. Following the defeat, House Democrats quickly crafted an aid package without the military assistance. Less than two months later, the House passed a $48 million “humanitarian aid” package.

1959: The Day the Music Died. Rock ‘n’ Roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash in an Iowa cornfield.

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