February 19th
Today in 1793,the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a citizen of one state may sue a citizen of another state in Federal Court.
Today in 1807,former U.S. Vice President, Aaron Burr was arrested in Alabama on charges of plotting to annex Spanish territory in Louisiana and Mexico to be used toward the establishment of an independent republic. He was acquitted the following September.
Today in 1846,Texas transferred its federal government to the United States.
Today in 1919,the first Pan-African Congress (organized by W.E.B. Du Bois)got underway in Paris.
Today in 1942,FDR approved of the internment of Japanese-Americans. At the time, many Americans worried that citizens of Japanese ancestry would act as spies or saboteurs for the Japanese government. Fear — not evidence — drove the U.S. to place over 127,000 Japanese-Americans in concentration camps for the duration of WWII.
Today in 1963,"The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan, widely credited as the start of second-wave feminism,was published.
Today in 1972,on a memorable episode of “All in the Family,” Archie Bunker got a kiss from Sammy Davis, Jr. Bunker also managed to ask Davis, "Do you take cream and sugar in your eye?"
Today in 1987,a controversial anti-smoking TV ad aired for the first time. It featured actor Yul Brynner in a public service announcement that was recorded shortly before his October 1985 death from lung cancer. Brynner warned viewers of the danger of cigarettes from “beyond the grave.”
Today in 1994,comedian Martin Lawrence hosted "Saturday Night Live," but deviated from his planned monologue. Instead, he launched into a segment on Lorena Bobbitt, women and hygiene. The performance not only got him uninvited from a subsequent "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" appearance the following month, but unofficially banned from all shows on NBC. The offending episode of “SNL” has since been shown on Comedy Central, with an abbreviated monologue and a card inserted to explain that Lawrence’s monologue had to be edited. Lawrence isn’t alone, however – there are nine others who’ve been banned.
Today in 1994,American speed skater Bonnie Blair won the fourth Olympic gold medal of her career coming in first at the 500-meter race in Lillehammer, Norway
Today in 1999,President Clinton posthumously pardoned Henry O. Flipper, the first black graduate of West Point, whose military career was tarnished by a racially motivated discharge.
Today in 2001,the museum at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Center was dedicated.
Today in 2004,former Enron Corp. chief executive Jeffrey Skilling was charged with fraud, insider trading and other crimes in connection with the energy trader's collapse. Skilling was later convicted and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.
Today in 2004,Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal was awarded an honorary knighthood in recognition of a "lifetime of service to humanity."
Today in 2005,the USS Jimmy Carter was commissioned in Groton, Connecticut. It was the last of the Seawolf class of attack submarines.