Today in 1940, FDR signed the Selective Training & Service Act (the first peacetime draft).
Today in 1968, Richard Nixon first appeared on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" to say those immortal words, "Sock it to me!"
Today in 1974, President Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for Vietnam War deserters and draft-evaders.
Today in 1983,Arnold Schwarzenegger became a U.S. citizen. He had emigrated from Austria 14 years earlier.
Today in 1994, a federal court jury in Anchorage, Alaska, ordered Exxon to pay $5-billion dollars to the fishermen and natives whose lives were affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. It was the second largest assessment for punitive damages ever directed at one company, and the largest ever in a pollution case.
Today in 1995, after a heated media debate about the “sexist” nature of the swimsuit competition in the Miss America Pageant, a telephone poll found that a large majority of television viewers favored keeping it.
Today in 1998, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde responded to a report in an Internet publication, and admitted to "indiscretions" with a woman back in the 60s at a time when both were married.
Today in 2004, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced a lockout of the players union and cessation of operations by the NHL head office.
Today in 2007, OJ Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas for his involvement in the alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia from a hotel room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. He was later convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges – and is serving nine to 33 years in a northern Nevada prison.
Today in 2011, Occupy Wall Street movement began in New York City’s Zucotti Park.
Today in 2015, a report published in the journal, "Nature," shows that three-million people die each year of air pollution, more than malaria and HIV/Aids combined.
Today in 2018, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was first publicly accused of sexual assault in the 1980s with Christine Blasey Ford’s interview in "The Washington Post."