Today in 1776, the final draft of Declaration of Independence was submitted to Continental Congress.
Today in 1911, Samuel J. Battle became the first Black-American policeman in New York City.
Today in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles [[vehr-SY]] was signed in France, ending the First World War.
Today in 1951, a TV version of the radio program, "Amos 'N' Andy," premiered on CBS-TV. Although later criticized for racial stereotyping, it still stands as the first network TV series to feature an all-black cast.
Today in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized the first ground combat forces in Vietnam.
Today in 1969, the American gay rights movement was officially born as patrons at the Stonewall Inn, a bar in New York’s Greenwich Village, clashed with police who were attempting to raid the establishment. The ensuing riots lasted for three days.
Today in 1971, Daniel Ellsberg was indicted for leaking what became known as the Pentagon Papers.
Today in 1971, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned the draft evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali.
Today in 1978, the Supreme Court ordered the University of California at Davis Medical School to admit Allan Bakke, a white man who'd argued he was a victim of reverse racial discrimination.
Today in 1987, Gay Pride Day was first observed.
Today in 1992, a 35-year-old man at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center became the first recipient of a baboon liver transplant; he lived ten more weeks.
Today in 1995, the House overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from desecration. However, the amendment was defeated in the Senate.
Today in 1996, the Citadel voted to admit women, ending a 153-year-old men-only policy at the South Carolina military school.
Today in 1997, in the chomp heard 'round the world, Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield's ear after three rounds of their WBA heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Today in 1998, the “Cincinnati Enquirer” apologized to the Chiquita Banana Company and retracted their stories that questioned company's business practices. Aside from alleging that Chiquita employees were involved in a bribery scheme (controlling dozens of Central American independent banana companies) they were also accused of smuggling cocaine on its ships. They also agreed to pay more than $10-million to settle legal claims.
Today in 2000, the Supreme Court struck down Nebraska's so-called "partial-birth" abortion law. On the same day, the Supreme Court also ruled the Boy Scouts can bar homosexuals from serving as troop leaders. Fast forward to 2015, and the Scouts ended their ban after all.
Today in 2004, sovereign power was handed to the interim government of Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority, ending the U.S.-led rule of that nation.
Today in 2007, Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros became the 27th member of the 3000 hit club, going 5 for 5 against the Colorado Rockies.
Today in 2015, after weeks on the run, convicted cop killer David Sweat was shot and captured near the Canadian border. Along with Richard Matt, he had escaped an upstate New York correctional facility on June 6th of that year.
Today in 2017, ABC and a South Dakota meat producer announced a settlement in a $1.9-billion lawsuit against the network over its reports on a beef product that critics dubbed “pink slime.”
Today in 2018, a lone gunman attacked the offices of the “Capital Gazette” newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, killing nine.