Today in History

The first general election in Spain since 1936 results in victory for the UCD (Union of Democratic Centre).

The last French troops leave Algeria.

Greece severs military ties to Turkey because of the Cyprus issue.

The All India Congress accepts a British plan for the partition of India.

U.S. Marines begin the invasion of Saipan in the Pacific.

The French fortress of Verdun is captured by Germans.

Gaston Means is sentenced to 15 years for fraud in the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.

Republicans, convening in Kansas City, name Herbert Hoover their candidate for President.

Morris “Mo” Udall, U.S. Congressman.

Three African Americans are lynched in Duluth, Minnesota, by a white mob of 5,000.

Great Britain pledges the release of all Irish captured during the Easter Rebellion of 1916.

President Woodrow Wilson signs a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.

Saul Steinberg, American cartoonist.

Fire aboard the paddle steamer General Slocum on New York’s East River kills 1,021, mostly German-Americans.

Erik H. Erikson, psychologist (Childhood and Society).

The U.S. House of representatives approves the annexation of Hawaii.

Henry O. Flipper becomes the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Prussia attacks Austria.

The Battle for Petersburg begins.

General J.E.B. Stuart completes his “ride around McClellan.”

James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States, dies.

Great Britain and the United States agree on a joint occupation of Oregon Territory.

Edvard Grieg, Norwegian composer.

Arkansas is admitted into the Union as the 25th state.

American General Anthony Wayne captures Stony Point, New York.

George Washington is named Commander-in-Chief by Congress.

Rachel Robards Jackson, first lady to President Andrew Jackson.

Benjamin Franklin and his son test the relationship between electricity and lightning by flying a kite in a thunder storm.

Colonists in North America complete James Fort in Jamestown.

Ottoman Turks crush Serbia in the Battle of Kosovo.

The English peasant revolt is crushed in London.

Edward the Black Prince, the eldest son of Edward III.

King John signs the Magna Carta.

King Magnus of Norway is defeated by his rival, Sverre.