Today in 1796, the Boston African Society was established with 44 members.
Today in 1844, Brigham Young was chosen as the head of the Mormon Church following the death of Joseph Smith.
Today in 1863, Tennessee's "military" Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves.
Today in 1876, Thomas Edison patented the mimeograph.
Today in 1925, the first national march of Ku Klux Klan took place in Washington, D.C. with 25-thousand marchers in place.
Today in 1963, the "Great Train Robbery" took place in Britain. A gang of 15 thieves stole $2.6-million pounds in bank notes.
Today in 1968, Richard M. Nixon was nominated for President at the Republican national convention in Miami Beach.
Today in 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew called the reports that he had taken kickbacks from government contracts in Maryland “damned lies.” He vowed never to resign, though he eventually did, on October 10th, 1973.
Today in 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation in the wake of further evidence of his direct involvement in the Watergate scandal and cover-up. It became effective the next day.
Today in 1975, Robert Altman’s film, “Nashville,” premiered in Nashville.
Today in 1978, NASA launched the unmanned Pioneer 13 space probe to study the atmosphere of Venus.
Today in 1983, TV reporter Christine Craft was awarded $500,000 in her sex discrimination suit against Metromedia. She charged that she had been demoted from news anchor to reporter after a focus group had determined she was "too old, too unattractive and wouldn't defer to men." While her award was eventually overturned, ultimately, Craft has been seen as a trailblazer for women in media.
Today in 1986, Rob Reiner's film, "Stand By Me," starring the late River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland, was released.
Today in 1992, the "Dream Team" clinched the Gold medal at the Barcelona Summer Olympics. The U.S. basketball team beat Croatia 117-85.
Today in 1997, the movie, "Conspiracy Theory," opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 1998, President Clinton, in his weekly radio address, vowed that the bombers of two U.S. embassies in Africa would be brought to justice, "no matter how long it takes or where it takes us."
Today in 1999, "Mystery Science Theater 3000" concluded its run on the Sci-Fi Channel with the episode “Diabolik.”
Today in 2000, Vice President Al Gore formally introduced and celebrated his Senator Joseph Lieberman, during an appearance in Gore's home state of Tennessee. Lieberman was the first Jewish running mate on a presidential ticket.
Today in 2000, the submarine H.L. Hunley was raised from ocean bottom after 136 years. The sub had been lost during an attack on the U.S.S. Housatonic in 1864. The Hunley was the first submarine in history to sink a warship.
Today in 2002, Saddam Hussein organized a big military parade and then warned “the forces of evil” not to attack Iraq as he sought once more to shift the debate away from world demands that he live up to agreements that ended the Gulf War.
Today in 2007, an EF2 tornado touched down Brooklyn, New York - the most powerful tornado New York had seen to date.
Today in 2008, China opened the Summer Olympic Games with an extravaganza of fireworks and pageantry.
Today in 2008, former Democratic presidential candidate and vice-presidential nominee John Edwards saw his political dreams vanish for good as he admitted having an extramarital affair.
Today in 2009, Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in as the U.S. Supreme Court’s first Hispanic and third female justice.
Today in 2014, the West African Ebola outbreak was categorized as an international concern by the World Health Organization.
Today in 2017, Venezuela’s new constitutional assembly, created by embattled President Nicolas Maduro, took over the halls of the opposition-controlled congress and decreed itself to be superior to all other branches of government.
Today in 2017, President Donald Trump said continued North Korean threats aimed at the United States would cause the U.S. to respond with “fire and fury like the world has never seen.”
Today in 2018, Academy of Motion Pictures revealed the new "Popular Film" category for the Oscars. The idea? To celebrate popular movies as well as the snootier “Best” films. The plan didn’t last for long, however. Thanks to public backlash, the Academy nixed the idea a month later.
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