Gandhi commits his first act of civil disobedience

On June 7, 1893, Mohandas Gandhi committed his first act of civil disobedience in South Africa. Because he was an Indian, Gandhi was ordered to move to the third class section of a train, despite holding a first-class ticket. When he refused, Gandhi was thrown off of the train. Gandhi would go on to organize efforts by Indians living in South Africa to oppose racial discrimination thereby founding the Natal Indian Congress. He would then return to his native India to lead its drive for independence from Great Britain.

Learn more about the Natal Indian Congress from the South African History Archive.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt born

Carrie Chapman Catt, suffragist, womens' rights advocate and co-founder of the League of Women Voters, was born on January 9, 1859.

Visit the Carrie Chapman Catt Childhood Home.

Great Britain's first income tax introduced

On January 9, 1799, British Prime Minister William Pitt introduced Great Britain's first income tax. The tax was announced the previous December as a means of raising money for war against Napoleon. Pitt's successor, Henry Addington, repealed the tax when hostilities subsided in 1802. Addington then reinstated the tax during the following year when fighting was renewed. The Addington tax model later became the model for the modern British income tax. Learn about the history of income taxation in Great Britain from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.