Today in History

The Vatican condemns surrogate parenting as well as test-tube and artificial insemination.

The United States bans Libyan oil imports, because of the continued support of terrorism.

Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, lends his support to the militants holding the American hostages in Tehran.

The North Vietnamese Army attacks the South Vietnamese town of Buon Ma Thout, the offensive will end with total victory in Vietnam.

The Senate approves a Constitutional amendment to lower the voting age to 18.

James Earl Ray pleads guilty to the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King and is sentenced to 99 years in jail.

The North Vietnamese capture a Green Beret camp at Ashau Valley.

President Dwight Eisenhower calls Senator Joseph McCarthy a peril to the Republican Party.

North Korean gunners at Wonsan fire on the USS Missouri, the ship responds by firing 998 rounds at the enemy position.

Author Zelda Fitzgerald (wife of F. Scott) dies in a fire at Highland Hospital.

The Big Four meet in Moscow to discuss the future of Germany.

American B-29 bombers attack Tokyo, killing 100,000.

The Irish refuse to oust all Axis envoys and deny the accusation of spying on Allied troops.

Adolf Hitler calls Field Marshall Erwin Rommel back from Tunisia in North Africa.

Vichy France threatens to use its navy unless Britain allows food to reach France.

David Rabe, playwright (Sticks and Bones, Hurlyburly).

Nevada becomes the first U.S. state to regulate drugs.

Prussia lifts its Nazi ban, Adolf Hitler is allowed to speak in public.

The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a New York state law forbidding late-night work for women.

Günther Rall, German Luftwaffe ace in World War II.

James Herriot, Scottish writer and country veterinarian (All Creatures Great and Small).

Slavery is abolished in China.

Kathryn McLean (Forbes), author (Mama’s Bank Account).

Leon Bismarck “Bix” Beiderbecke, jazz cornetist and composer.

The Boers of South Africa score their last victory over the British, capturing British General Methuen and 200 men.

New Mexico State University cancels its first graduation ceremony, because the only graduate was robbed and killed the night before.

Alexander Graham Bell makes the first telephone call to Thomas Watson saying “Watson, come here. I need you.”

The treaty of Guadeloupe-Hidalgo is signed which ends the United States’ war with Mexico.

Hallie Quinn Brown, American educator, women’s rights leader.

Napoleon Bonaparte is defeated by an allied army at the Battle of Laon, France.

The Dutch in Cape Town, South Africa surrender to the British.

Thomas Jefferson is appointed minister to France.

“”Common Sense” by Thomas Paine is published.

Friedrich Von Schlegel, German romantic poet and critic (Philosophy of History, History of Literature).

In the colony of Virginia, suffrage is extended to all free men regardless of their religion.

Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.

The building of the great Jewish temple in Jerusalem is completed.

The Roman fleet sinks 50 Carthaginian ships in the Battle of Aegusa.

Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon and invades Italy.