TODAY IN HISTORY

1715

Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Perignon, credited with advances in the production of champagne, died in Hautvillers, France, at age 76.

1814

Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” after witnessing the American flag flying over the Maryland fort following a night of British naval bombardment during the War of 1812.

1836

Former Vice President Aaron Burr died in Staten Island, N.Y., at age 80.

1847

During the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott took control of Mexico City.

1861

The first naval engagement of the Civil War took place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schooner Judah off Pensacola, Fla.

1901

President William McKinley died in Buffalo, N.Y., of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin; Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him.