TODAY IN HISTORY

1810

Mexico began its revolt against Spanish rule.

1857

The song “Jingle Bells” by James Pierpont was copyrighted under its original title, “One Horse Open Sleigh.” (The song, though considered a Christmastime classic, was actually written for Thanksgiving.)

1893

More than 100,000 settlers swarmed onto a section of land in Oklahoma known as the Cherokee Strip.

1908

General Motors was founded in Flint, Michgan, by William C. Durant.

1919

The American Legion received a national charter from Congress.

1987

Two dozen countries signed the Montreal Protocol, a treaty designed to save the Earth’s ozone layer by calling on nations to reduce emissions of harmful chemicals by 2000.