Today in 1876, Civil War hero George Custer made his “Last Stand” at Little Big Horn River in Montana. The general led his 225 troops into what he thought would be a quick battle. Instead, more than 3000 Sioux and Cheyenne Indians disagreed. In less than two hours, five of the 7th Cavalry's twelve companies were annihilated; Custer was killed, as were two of his brothers, a nephew, and a brother-in-law. The total U.S. casualty count, including scouts, was 268 dead and 55 injured. Sitting Bull reportedly said: "These soldiers have come shooting; they want war. All right, we'll give it to them."
Today in 1938, the federal minimum wage law guaranteed workers 25-cents per hour (rising to 40-cents by 1945) and a maximum 44-hour working week.
Today in 1951, CBS began to broadcast the first television programs in color. Color receivers were not available to the public until 1954.
Today in 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of an unofficial, non-denominational prayer in New York State public schools was unconstitutional.
Today in 1981, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a male-only draft. Fast forward to February 2019, and federal judge ruled that because women are no longer prohibited from combat roles, the policy was indeed unconstitutional.
Today in 1990, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of an individual, whose wishes are clearly made, to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment. "The right to die" decision was made in the Curzan vs. Missouri case.
Today in 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Americans With Disabilities Act protect those infected with HIV.
Today in 2000, U.S. and British researchers announced that they had completed a rough draft of a map of the genetic makeup of human beings. The project was 10 years old at the time of the announcement.
Today in 2009, the entertainment world convulsed with the news that Michael Jackson had died. Jackson stopped breathing while attempting to sleep under the care of Conrad Murray, his personal physician. Attempts to resuscitate him failed and it was later revealed that Jackson had suffered a heart attack resulting from acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. Murray was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter and served a two-year jail sentence.
Today in 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that police cannot examine the digital contents of a cell phone without a court order. The decision came via Riley v California. A precedent had been set back in 1969 through Chimel v. California, where the Court ruled that if police arrest someone, they may search the body of the person without a warrant and "the area into which he might reach" in order to protect material evidence or the officers' safety. Law enforcement tried to use that in many variations over the years, but it’s been decreed that it’s a violation of the fourth amendment (which prohibits unreasonable search and seizure).
Today in 2018, Californian Governor Jerry Brown declared State of Emergency for wildfire spread over 8,200 acres in Lake County.