The self-described "luckiest man on the face of the earth" says goodbye to baseball and fans on July 4, 1939, after being diagnosed with ALS.

FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

RELATED CONTENT

In order to pressure major league baseball to toughen its policy against steroid use, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform holds an 11-hour hearing on March 17, 2005, during which seven former and current baseball players are questioned. In response to Rep. Henry A. Waxman's accusation that all the players must have known about steroid use in the club houses, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro offer denials, Jose Canseco provides confirmation without a doubt and Curt Schilling is on the fence.

On August 9, 1974, President Richard Nixon delivers a farewell speech to his staff in the East Room of the White House. After mounting evidence in the Watergate trial revealed him to be guilty of obstruction of justice and abuse of power, Nixon resigned from the presidency of the United States.

Jackie Robinson's accomplishments on and off the field opens doors for all African Americans.

On April 11, 1951, President Harry Truman relieved Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his command due to their disagreement over the handling of the Korean War. On April 19, 1951, after 52 years of military service, Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivers a farewell address to Congress, setting off a controversy among congressional members over whether or not the Joint Chiefs of Staff had approved the MacArthur plan for operations.

Fannie Lou Hamer on Roots of Her Activism

Mrs. President: Lou Hoover