TODAY IN HISTORY
TODAY IS SATURDAY, JULY 13, the 194th day of 2019. There are 171 days left in the year. TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY: On this date in 1985, “Live Aid,” an international rock concert in London, Philadelphia, Moscow and Sydney, took place to raise money for Africa’s starving people.
In 1863, deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City. The insurrection was put down three days later.
In 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot at his party’s convention in Los Angeles.
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to be U.S. Solicitor General; Marshall became the first black jurist appointed to the post. Two years later, Johnson nominated Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1973, former presidential aide Alexander P. Butterfield revealed to Senate Watergate Committee staff members the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret White House taping system. Butterfield’s public revelation came three days later.
In 1977, a blackout hit New York City as lightning strikes on electrical equipment caused power to fail; widespread looting broke out. The electricity was restored about 25 hours later.
In 1990, the romantic fantasy “Ghost,” starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, was released by Paramount Pictures.
In 2005, a suicide car bomb exploded next to U.S. troops handing out candy and toys in Iraq, killing more than two dozen people, including 18 children and teenagers, and an American soldier.
In 2013, a jury in Sanford, Florida, cleared neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Game show announcer Johnny Gilbert (TV: “Jeopardy!”) is 95. Actor Patrick Stewart is 79. Actor Harrison Ford and singer-guitarist Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) are 77. Actor-comedian Cheech Marin is 73. Singer Louise Mandrell is 65. Rock musician Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (Twisted Sister) is 63. Actordirector Cameron Crowe is 62. Actor Kenny Johnson is 56. Roots singer/ songwriter Paul Thorn is 55. Actor Ken Jeong is 50. Bluegrass musician Mike Barber (The Gibson Brothers) is 49. Actor Fran Kranz is 38. Actress Aya Cash and St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina are 37. Actors Colton Haynes and Steven R. McQueen are 31. Actor Kyle Harrison Breitkopf is 14.