Today in 1789, the U.S. Treasury Department was established.
Today in 1901, then Vice President Theodore Roosevelt offered his famous line "Speak softly and carry a big stick" in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair.
Today in 1944, Holocaust diarist Anne Frank was sent to Auschwitz.
Today In 1945, the U.S. received official word of Japan's formal surrender that ended World War II. Confused? Don’t be. While it actually happened on September 1st; in Japan, it was actually September 2nd.
Today in 1963, the integration of Tuskegee High School was prevented by state troopers assigned by Alabama Gov. George Wallace. Wallace had the building surrounded by state troopers. Of course, schools were later desegregated and many years later, Wallace did apologize for his actions.
Today in 1963, "The CBS Evening News" with Walter Cronkite was lengthened from 15 to 30 minutes, and became network television's first half-hour nightly newscast. His first guest was President Kennedy.
Today in 1973, author J.R.R. Tolkien, famous for his book, “The Hobbit,” died at the age of 81.
Today in 1986, Cathy Evelyn Smith was sentenced to three years in jail for the drug-induced "involuntary manslaughter" of John Belushi on March 5th, 1982.
Today in 1992, the long-awaited chess rematch between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky began in Yugoslavia. Fischer defeated his long-time opponent Spassky, as he had done 20 years before. Fischer received $3.35-million and Spassky received $1.65-million.
Today in 1997, in London, grief-stricken crowds surrounded St. James's Palace, where Princess Diana's body lay in a chapel closed to the public. The White House announced that first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton would attend her funeral on behalf of the United States.
Today in 2015, President Barack Obama became the first president to visit the Arctic Circle at Kotzebue, Alaska.