Today in History

One technician is killed and two others are injured during a routine test on space shuttle Columbia.

In Costa Rica, President John F. Kennedy and six Latin American presidents pledge to fight Communism.

The Soviet People’s Council signs the constitution of the German Democratic Republic, and declares that the North Atlantic Treaty is merely a war weapon.

Chiang Kai-Shek’s government forces take control of Yenan, the former headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party.

Adolf Hitler orders a scorched-earth policy for his retreating German armies in the west and east.

The German 352nd Infantry Division deploys along the coast of France.

The Soviet Union signs a pact of assistance with Mongolia against Japan.

The British fire on 20,000 Muslims in India, killing 23.

Phillip Roth, American novelist and short-story writer (Portnoy’s Complaint).

The state of Nevada legalizes gambling.

Brent Scrowcroft, Lt. Gen. (USAF), National Security Advisor to President George H.W. Bush.

U.S. troops are rushed to Tegucigalpa as rebel forces take the Honduran capital.

The U.S. Senate rejects the Versailles Treaty for the second time.

Congress authorizes Daylight Savings Time.

The Adamson Act, eight hour day for railroad workers, is ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The First Aero Squadron takes off from Columbus, NM to join Gen. John J. Pershing and his Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa in Mexico.

Adolf Galland, German Luftwaffe pilot.

Adolf Eichman, Nazi Gestapo officer.

John J. Sirica, U.S. Federal Judge who ruled on Watergate issues.

The U.S. Senate ratifies the Cuban treaty, gaining naval bases in Guantanamo and Bahia Honda.

Earl Warren, governor of California, later 14th Supreme Court Chief Justice.

Sarah Gertrude Millina, South African writer (The Dark River, God’s Stepchildren).

Jim Currie opens fire on the actors Maurice Barrymore and Ben Porter near Marshall, Texas. His shots wound Barrymore and kill Porter.

William Jennings Bryan, orator, statesman, known as “The Great Communicator.”

Alfred von Tirpitz, Prussian admiral who commanded the German fleet in early World War I.

Wyatt Earp, U.S. marshal.

Boston is incorporated as a city.

Sir Richard Burton, English explorer.

David Livingston, explorer found by Henry Stanley in Africa.

Tobias George Smollett, satirical author and physician (Roderick Random, Humphrey Clinker).

On the death of William III of Orange, Anne Stuart, sister of Mary, succeeds to the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland.

The French explorer La Salle is murdered by his own men while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

William Bradford, governor of Plymouth colony for 30 years.