Today in 1888, Frederick Douglass became the first African-American nominated for President at the Republican convention in Chicago with a nod from the Kentucky delegation. Ultimately, Benjamin Harrison became the official nominee – and he went on to become the 23rd
Today in 1917, Babe Ruth – aka the “Sultan of Swat” – swatted an umpire! Seriously…he punched out an umpire after he was thrown out of a game between Boston and Washington. Ruth threw four pitches that the home plate umpire called balls. Ruth stomped off the pitcher’s mound to the plate and tongue-lashed Brick Owens with a volley of unmentionable cuss words. Ruth was ejected and fined $100.
Today in 1931, aviators Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off from New York on the first round-the-world flight in a single-engine plane.
Today in 1947, US President Truman's veto of Taft-Hartley Act was overridden by Congress.
Today in 1960, Enovid – the first oral contraceptive for women – went on sale.
Today in 1972, President Richard Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman agreed on a plan to use the CIA to obstruct the FBI’s Watergate investigation. A White House recording of their conversation led to Nixon’s resignation in August of 1974.
Today in 1985, all 329 people aboard Air India Flight #182 were killed when the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland, following an explosion. The incident was the largest mass murder in Canadian history, and the deadliest terrorist attack involving an airplane until 9/11. The bombing of Air India 182 occurred at the same time as the Narita Airport bombing. Investigators believed that the two plots were linked, and that the group responsible was aiming for a double bombing. However, the bomb at Narita exploded before it could be loaded onto the plane.
Today in 1989, the Supreme Court refused to shut down the "dial-a-porn" industry, ruling Congress had gone too far in passing a law banning all sexually-oriented phone message services.
Today in 1993, the cut heard 'round the world took place. Lorena Bobbitt sexually mutilated her husband, John. She had claimed he raped her – and he was later acquitted. She was also deem “not guilty of malicious wounding by reason of insanity.” What some might call a legal draw between the two.
Today in 2003, in a 5-4 decision, a divided Supreme Court allowed the nation's colleges and universities to select students based in part on race, as long as race was not the determining factor.
Today in 2003, Barry Bonds stole second base against the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first player in MLB history to have 500 career home runs and 500 career steals.
Today in 2018, Laura Ingalls Wilder's name was removed from a book award by US Association for Library Service to Children, because of racial concerns over terms used in her books.
Today in 2018, 12 boys and their coach were stranded in Tham Luang Nang Non cave, Thailand by monsoon flooding. The international rescue effort that followed resulted in their rescue nine days later.