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 1798, it became law in American that aliens were "liable to be apprehended, restrained, ... and removed as alien enemies."
Today in 1885, French scientist Louis Pasteur successfully tested an anti-rabies vaccine on a boy who had been bitten by an infected dog.
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 1944, 169 people died in a fire that broke out in the main tent of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum-and-Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut.
Today in 1945, President Truman signed an order creating the Medal of Freedom.
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 1983, in what’s known as the Norris Decision, the Supreme Court ruled that retirement plans could not pay women smaller monthly payments solely because of their gender.
Today in 1985, Tom Greene set the world record for oyster eating. He downed 288 oysters in one-minute and 33-seconds.
Today in 1987, a veteran’s group in New York presented Kris Kristofferson with a plaque. Later in the day, the plaque was discovered in the garbage. After the media jumped on the story, Kristofferson spent the rest of the day apologizing.
Today in 1988, several popular beaches were closed in New York City due to medical waste and other debris began washing up on the shores.
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 German parliament offered a formal apology to Nazi-era slave and forced laborers as it passed a bill setting up a five billion-dollar compensation fund.
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.