Today in 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled that children may not be sent by parcel post.
Today in 1966, the Supreme Court issued the historic “Miranda vs. Arizona” decision wherein it was established that a defendant cannot be questioned by police until he has first been read his rights. Ernesto Miranda was later re-tried, re-convicted and jailed.
Today in 1967, President Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to become the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. He served on the Court for 24 years until June 28, 1991 when he announced his retirement due to advancing age and deteriorating health. He passed away January 24, 1993.
Today in 1977, James Earl Ray, assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., was captured in a Tennessee wilderness area after escaping from prison.
Today in 1989, the Detroit Pistons won their first National Basketball Association title, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in four games.
Today in 1997, Michael Jordan scored 39 points and the Chicago Bulls worked their fourth-quarter magic again to beat the Utah Jazz 90-86 and win their fifth NBA championship in seven years.
Today in 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions testified before Senate Intelligence Committee. Along the way, he denied secretly meeting Russians.
Today in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously threw out attempts to patent human genes, siding with advocates who said the multibillion-dollar biotechnology industry should not have exclusive control over genetic information found in the human body.
Today in 2017, Otto Warmbier returned to the US in an unresponsive state after being held in a North Korean jail for 17 months. The 22-year-old college student, who had suffered severe brain damage, died six days later.
Today in 2017, “Rolling Stone” magazine agreed to pay $1.65-million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by a University of Virginia fraternity over a debunked story about a rape on campus.
Today in 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran was responsible for recent attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.