June 24th
Today in 1896,Booker T. Washington became the first African American to receive an honorary MA degree from Howard University.
Today in 1916,Mary Pickford became the first female film star to get a million-dollar contract.
Today in 1940,TV cameras were used for the first time at a political convention, as the Republicans gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Today in 1947,the first reported sighting of a UFO was made by pilot Kenneth Arnold near Mount Ranier, Washington. From his description, the expression “flying saucer” was born.
Today in 1962,the New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers, 9-7, after 22 innings.
Today in 1964, the FTC ruled health warnings must appear on all cigarette packages.
Today in 1964,Malcolm X formed the Organization for Afro-American Unity in New York.
Today in 1972, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke became the first Black person to chair the Democratic National Convention.
Today in 1975,113 people were killed when an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashed while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Today in 1977,it was revealed that President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn,owed no federal income tax for 1976. They paid $6000 anyway, for the sake of appearances.
Today in 1983,the space shuttle Challenger – carrying America’s first woman in space, Sally K. Ride –coasted to a safe landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Today in 1993,Yale University computer expert David Gelernter was injured in his office by a bomb sent by “Unabomber” Theodore Kaczynski.
Today in 1994,President Clinton complained that radio personality Rush Limbaugh and TV evangelist Jerry Falwell were feeding Americans unfair and negative reportsabout him.
Today in 1997,the Air Force released a report on the so-called "Roswell Incident,"suggesting the alien bodies witnesses reported seeing in 1947 were actually life-sized dummies.
Today in 1997,18-year-old Melissa Drexler was charged with murder in the death of her baby. Drexler had given birth during her prom.
Today in 2004, capital punishment was declared unconstitutional in New York.
Today in 2010,the longest match in tennis history ended as John Isner of the United States defeated Nicolas Mahut of France at Wimbledon after 11 hours, 5 minutes of play over three days.
Today in 2013,opening statements took place in the Sanford, Florida, trial of George Zimmerman, who stood accused of murdering 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman was acquitted the following month on July 13th.
Today in 2016,British Prime Minister David Cameron resigned after the UK voted to leave the EU.
Today in 2017,the UN announced Yemen’s cholera epidemic reached 200-thousand cases, with 1,300 deaths– marking the worst cholera outbreak anywhere in the world.