Today in 1776, the second Continental Congress in Philadelphia made the term "United States" official, replacing "United Colonies."
Today in 1904, hot dogs were first served "in the bun" Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which was informally known as the Louis World's Fair. Sausages had been sold for some time, but guests were given gloves – so as not to burn their hands. When the gloves started being kept as souvenirs…the bun was born.
Today in 1950, Americans saw the first use of laugh track on TV – it was used on "The Hank McCune Show.”
Today in 1956, Elvis Presley appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for the first time.
Today in 1965, Sandy Koufax of the L.A. Dodgers pitched the eighth perfect game in major-league baseball history. He led the Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs 1-0. A perfect game is one in which the same player pitches the entire game without allowing any player of the opposing team to reach first base -- by any means -- hits, walks or errors.)
Today in 1971, prisoners began a three-day riot at the infamous Attica State Prison in New York. The prisoners seized control of the maximum-security facility near Buffalo, New York killing a guard and taking 38 hostages. Three inmates were subsequently slain by other prisoners. Four days later, police and guards stormed the facility, resulting in the deaths of 29 inmates and ten hostages; in all, 43 people died.
Today in 1972, the US Basketball team lost to the Soviet Union, 51-50, in what would be one of the most controversial international games of all times. It marked the United States first loss in Olympic competition. The referee was instructed to play the final three seconds over by Dr. William Jones, secretary general of the International Amateur Basketball Federation. The U.S. protested that Jones interfered illegally and refused to accept the Silver medal.
Today in 1979, Tracy Austin became the youngest player to win the U.S. Open Women's tennis title. At the time, she was 16-years-old.
Today in 1979, Sid Bernstein offered $500-million for a Beatle reunion – even wrapping it in the bow of a charity concert for refugees. It didn’t happen.
Today in 1986, Ted Turner presented the first of his colorized films – on his superstation WTBS. The first Hollywood classic to get the new look was "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
Today in 1987, former Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart admitted during an interview on ABC's "Nightline" that he had committed adultery and said he had no plans to resume his White House bid.
Today in 1990, Pete Sampras became the youngest U.S. Open Male Tennis champ by beating Andre Agassi.
Today in 1991, boxer Mike Tyson was indicted in Indianapolis on a charge of raping beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington in an Indianapolis hotel room. Tyson was later convicted.
Today in 1994, prosecutors in Los Angeles said they would not seek the death penalty against O.J. Simpson.
Today in 1994, the space shuttle "Discovery" blasted off on an eleven-day mission.
Today in 1998, Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr delivered 36 boxes of material concerning his investigation of President Clinton to Congress.
Today in 2015, Apple unveiled the iPad Pro and new iPhone 6S in San Francisco.
Today in 2016, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, at the time its largest-ever test at 10 kilotons. It was superseded by the 2017 test.
Today in 2017, Hurricane Irma mades landfall in the Florida Keys in the US as a category 3 hurricane. The seventh strongest storm to make landfall in US history, she soon became a Cat-4.
Today in 2017, US Open Women's Tennis: In the first all-American final since 2002 unseeded Sloane Stephens defeats Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0.