Today in 1789, George Washington sent the proposed Constitutional amendments (what became the United States Bill of Rights) to the States for ratification.
Today in 1871, Mormon leader Brigham Young was arrested for bigamy.
Today in 1902, Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was first published. With more than 45-million copies sold, it remains one of the best selling books of all time.
Today in 1950, the "Peanuts" cartoon strip by Charles Schulz debuted. The strip ran until February 2000, but has continued in re-run form. His final comic? A three-panel offering, which included this note: “Dear Friends, I have been fortunate to draw Charlie Brown and his friends for almost fifty years. It has been the fulfillment of my childhood ambition. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to maintain the schedule demanded by a daily comic strip. My family does not wish "Peanuts" to be continued by anyone else, therefore I am announcing my retirement. I have been grateful over the years for the loyalty of our editors and the wonderful support and love expressed to me by fans of the comic strip. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy... how can I ever forget them... — Charles M. Schulz “
Today in 1959, Rod Serling’s "Twilight Zone" debuted on CBS-TV with the “Where Is Everybody” episode.
Today in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as an associate justice of the US Supreme Court – he was the first black judge appointed to the nation's highest court.
Today in 1977,TV's "Rhoda" got divorced. Seen by some as a ratings grab (given the controversial nature of presenting the topic on prime time TV), others felt it doomed the series.
Today in 1985, screen legend Rock Hudson died of AIDS. Just 59, he was the first major celebrity to die of complications from the disease, which until then had been considered a “gay plague.”
Today in 1986, the episode of "Family Ties" featured Alex (Michael J. Fox) breaking up with his girlfriend (she was portrayed by actress Tracy Pollan, who later became Michael’s wife – and still is!). The NBC switchboard lit up with requests for the name of the tune, which was featured during the show. The song was “At This Moment” by Billy Vera & the Beaters.
Today in 1990, the Senate voted 90-to-9 to confirm the nomination of Judge David H. Souter to the Supreme Court.
Today in 1995, the O.J. Simpson trial was sent to the jury…and the panel stunned the courtroom and the nation by reaching verdicts in the sensational eight-month murder trial in less than four hours. The decision was kept secret until the following day, when it was announced that Simpson had been acquitted.
Today in 1999, the Brooklyn Museum of Art opened its much-hyped "Sensation" exhibit which had drawn controversy because of New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's move to cut off city funding to the museum. Giuliani objected to some of the artwork, which included a portrait of the Virgin Mary decorated with elephant dung.
Today in 2005, the NFL played its first regular season game outside the United States when the Arizona Cardinals defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-14 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Today in 2009, Rio de Janeiro was elected the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Today in 2017, American scientists Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young were awarded Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine for work on the body clock.
Today in 2017, legendary musician Tom Petty died at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 66, a day after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California.
Today in 2017, the trial of Ahmed Abu Khattala (described as the mastermind of the 2012 attacks on a U.S. outpost in Benghazi, which left four Americans dead), got under way in Washington. Khattala would later be convicted of terrorism-related charges and sentenced to 22 years in prison.