Today in History

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules the state’s ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional; the legislature fails to act within the mandated 180 days, and on May 17, 2004, Massachusetts becomes the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage.

UN weapons inspectors under Hans Blix arrive in Iraq.

Twenty-one political parties approve a new constitution for South Africa that expands voter rights and ends the rule of the country’s white minority.

The Croatian city of Vukovar surrenders to Yugoslav People’s Army and allied Serb paramilitary forces after an 87-day siege.

The Soviet Union helps deliver American wheat during the Ethiopian famine.

Argentina announces its ability to produce enriched uranium for nuclear weapons.

Peoples Temple cult leader Jim Jones leads his followers to a mass murder-suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, hours after cult member killed Congressman Leo J. Ryan of California.

Chloe Sevigny, American actress, model and fashion designer noted for her eclectic fashion sense.

Soviets recover the Zond 6 spacecraft after a flight around the moon.

Warren Moon, quarterback in Canadian and US pro football teams; his numerous passing records include most passing yardage in pro football (surpassed by Damon Allen, Sept. 4, 2006).

Alan Moore, writer best known for his ground-breaking work in comic books / graphic novels (Watchmen, V for Vendetta).

The U.S. Air Force grounds B-29s after two crashes and 23 deaths in three days.

RAF bombs Berlin, using 440 aircraft and losing nine of those and 53 air crew members; damage to the German capital is light, with 131 dead.

Margaret Atwood, Canadian writer (The Edible Woman, The Handmaid’s Tale).

The main span of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is joined.

Mickey mouse makes his film debut in Steamboat Willie, the first animated talking picture.

Alan Shepard, first American astronaut in space.

New York City considers varying work hours to avoid long traffic jams.

Cholera breaks out in Constantinople, in the Ottoman Empire.

Johnny Mercer, songwriter.

Anarchists bomb St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The Norwegian Parliament elects Prince Charles of Denmark to be the next King of Norway. Prince Charles takes the name Haakon VII.

George Horatio Gallup, American journalist and statistician.

Dr. Howard Thurman, theologian and first African American to hold a full-time position at Boston University.

Eugene Ormandy, orchestra conductor.

Clarence Day, American writer (Life with Father).

Dorthea Dix, pseudonym for Elizabeth Gilman, who wrote syndicated advice.

Mark Twain’s first story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is published in the New York Saturday Press.

The first provisional meeting of the Confederate Congress is held in Richmond, Virginia.

William S. Gilbert, English playwright and humorist, one half of Gilbert & Sullivan.

Asa Gray, botanist (Gray’s Manual).

Louis Jacques Daguerre, French painter, physicist and photography pioneer.

St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome is officially dedicated.

William Claxton publishes the first dated book printed in England. It is a translation from the French of The Dictes and Sayings of the Philosopers by Earl Rivers.