Today in 1968, the nation's first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Alabama.
Today in 1972, Wilt Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Lakers became the first player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point mark for his career during a 110-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Chamberlain also passed Bill Russell during the 1971-72 season to become the NBA's all-time leading rebounder.
Today in 1984, Jerry Lee Lewis surrendered to federal authorities to answer income tax evasion charges. He was later acquitted.
Today in 1985, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini lost the World Boxing Association lightweight championship crown to Livingston Bramble. Mancini had been trying to regain the title, but ended up fighting for the last time on this night. The fighter retired in August 1985.
Today in 1996, world chess champion Gary Kasparov won for the second time against IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue" in the fifth game of their match in Philadelphia. Kasparov had drawn twice and lost once.
Today in 1999, OJ Simpson’s 1968 Heisman Trophy was sold for $230,000 as part of a sale to help settle a $33.5-million civil judgement against Simpson for the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend.
Today in 2005, the Kyoto global warming pact went into effect.
Today in 2005, the NHL cancelled the 2004-2005 season due to a labor dispute. This was the first time that a North American professional sports league had to cancel a season due to a labor dispute.
Today in 2019, Pope Francis defrocked ex-cardinal and archbishop of Washington Theodore McCarrick for sexually abusing minors and adults. First Cardinal to be removed for sexual abuse.
Today in 2020, the United States evacuated 400 American citizens from COVID-19-infected cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined in Yokohama port, Japan.