Joseph Jastrow was born. A true pioneer in the early days of modern psychology, Jastrow earned his Ph.D., from the first psychological laboratory established in the United States at Johns Hopkins University in 1886; and was one of the original 31 members of the American Psychological Association founded in 1892, serving as president in 1900. Following his appointment by the University of Wisconsin in 1888, Jastrow established what would become the oldest continuously supported psychology department in the U.S.

Joseph Jastrow was instrumental in popularizing psychological science among the general public. He regularly wrote for leading magazines such as Popular Science Monthly, Cosmopolitan, Scribner's and Harper's Monthly; conducted tests of touch, movement and memory on Helen Keller at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 and became one of the very first radio psychologists when he began hosting a series of talk shows for the NBC studios network.

Information via: On This Day in Psychology: A Showcase of Great Pioneers and Defining Moments