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Highlight in History
On July 2, 1937, aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight along the equator.
On this date
In 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.”
In 1812, Connecticut Gov. Roger Griswold declared his state’s militia would not serve in the war against Britain, reflecting New Englanders’ opposition to the conflict.
In 1862, during the Civil War, Confederate forces led by Gen. Robert E. Lee withdrew to Richmond, Va., after driving back Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s troops.
In 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Washington railroad station; Garfield died the following September. (Guiteau was hanged in June 1882.)
In 1912, the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore nominated New Jersey Gov. Woodrow Wilson for president.
In 1926, the United States Army Air Corps was created.
In 1961, author Ernest Hemingway shot himself to death at his home in Ketchum, Idaho.
In 1962, the first Walmart store (called “Wal-Mart Discount City”) was opened in Rogers, Ark., by Sam Walton and his brother, James.
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress.
In 1978, Andy Rooney delivered his first commentary on CBS’ “60 Minutes” in which he criticized people who keep track of traffic fatalities on holiday weekends.
In 1982, Larry Walters of San Pedro, Calif., used a lawn chair equipped with 45 helium-filled weather balloons to rise to an altitude of 16,000 feet; he landed eight miles away in Long Beach.
In 1997, actor James Stewart died in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 89.
Ten years ago
American adventurer Steve Fossett became the first person to fly a balloon solo around the world as he returned to western Australia.
Five years ago
President George W. Bush commuted the sentence of former aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, sparing him a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case. Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his visit to Kennebunkport, Maine, where he’d held talks with President Bush. Opera singer Beverly Sills died in New York at age 78.
One year ago
Petra Kvitova beat Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 to become the first left-handed woman to win the Wimbledon title since Martina Navratilova in 1990.
Top News
Today in History for Monday, July 2, 2012
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Official: Broken rail eyed in Conn. train crash
The commuter train derailment and collision that left dozens injured outside New York City was not the result of foul play, officials said Saturday, but a fractured section of rail is being studied to determine if it is connected to the accident.
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FBI searches apartment in ricin letter case
Authorities in hazardous materials suits searched a downtown Spokane apartment Saturday, investigating the recent discovery of a pair of letters containing the deadly poison ricin.
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Up to 60 injured after car drives into Va. parade
An elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Saturday parade in a small Virginia mountain town and investigators were looking into whether he suffered a medical emergency before the accident.
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Authorities: Hofstra student was killed by police
A Hofstra University student being held in a headlock at gunpoint by an intruder was accidently shot and killed by a police officer who had responded to the home invasion at an off-campus home, police said Saturday.
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Last-minute fortune seekers buy Powerball tickets
It’s all about the odds.
With four out of every five possible combinations of Powerball numbers in play, someone is almost sure to win the game’s highest jackpot, a windfall of hundreds of millions of dollars — and that’s after taxes. -
Today in History for Sunday, May 19, 2013
Today is Sunday, May 19, the 139th day of 2013. There are 226 days left in the year.
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Valdosta Brain/Spinal Injury meeting Tuesday
Valdosta Brain/Spinal Injury meeting Tuesday
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Bombs targeting Sunnis kill at least 76 in Iraq
Bombs ripped through Sunni areas in Baghdad and surrounding areas Friday, killing at least 76 people in the deadliest day in Iraq in more than eight months. The major spike in sectarian bloodshed heightened fears the country could again be veering toward civil war.
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Tornado-ravaged Texas town to start recovery
Residents whose homes were torn apart or blown away by a North Texas deadly tornado can soon return to retrieve what belongings may be left and start cleaning up, authorities said Friday.
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Conn. commuter trains collide; 60 go to hospitals
Two commuter trains serving New York City collided in Connecticut during Friday’s evening rush hour, sending 60 people to the hospital, including five with critical injuries, Gov. Dannel Malloy said.
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