Today in 1775, Congress issued the "Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking up Arms," listing grievances but denying intent to be independent.
Today in 1942, then-13-year-old Anne Frank, and her family went into hiding from the Nazis with four others in the "Secret Annex" at 263 Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal), Amsterdam.
Today in 1957, Althea Gibson won the Women's Singles tennis title at Wimbledon. She was the first Black tennis star to win the prestigious event.
Today in 1985, Tom Greene set the world record for oyster eating. He downed 288 oysters in one-minute and 33-seconds.
Today in 1999, S. Army private Barry Winchell died from injuries inflicted he sustained in his sleep from a baseball-bat attack. He had been beaten the previous day by fellow soldiers for his relationship with transgendered showgirl and former Navy combat medic, Calpernia Addams.
Today in 2000, the body of 19-year-old Cory Erving, son of basketball star Julius "Dr. J" Erving, was found in his car at the bottom of a Florida pond. He'd been missing since May 28th.
Today in 2000, a jury awarded former NHL player Tony Twist $24-million for the use of his name in the comic book, “Spawn,” and the HBO cartoon series without consent. After years of appeals, a $15-million verdict was upheld.
Today in 2015, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was stripped of his WBO welterweight boxing title after failing to pay $200-thousand and vacating his light middleweight title.
Today in 2016, African American Philando Castile was shot by police in St Paul, Minnesota after being pulled over for a broken rear light. The killing was filmed. Officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted of all charges on June 16, 2017 – and was fired by the police department officially that same day.
Today in 2017, the Illinois State Senate voted to override Governor Bruce Rauner's veto to approve the first budget in more than two years, longest-lasting such dispute of any state.