States Rights

John C. Calhoun: The Man Who Started the Civil War

If one person could be called the instigator of the Civil War, it was John C. Calhoun—genius pragmatist, and racist.

Today in History: Born onSeptember 17

1504

Pius V, Pope 1566-1572.

1706

Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard's Almanac.

1860

Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer famous for The Seagull and Three Sisters.

1863

David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister during World War I.

1899

Al Capone, U.S. mobster known as "Scarface Al" who ran most of Chicago and the surrounding area.

1922

Betty White, actress; created memorable characters in TV sitcoms from the 1950s into the 21st century (Life with Elizabeth, Mary Tyler Moore, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) and was a popular guest on TV game shows. At age 88 and a half she became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live (2010).