Today in history

1789

The Constitution of the United States went into effect as the first Federal Congress met in New York. (The lawmakers then adjourned for lack of a quorum.)

1791

Vermont became the 14th state.

1797

John Adams was inaugurated the second president of the United States.

1837

The Illinois town of Chicago was incorporated as a city with a population of 4,170.

1925

President Calvin Coolidge’s inauguration was broadcast live on 21 radio stations coastto-coast.

1937

At the 9th Academy Awards, “The Great Ziegfeld” was named outstanding production of 1936 and its leading lady, Luise Rainer, best actress; Paul Muni won best actor for “The Story of Louis Pasteur.”

1940

Kings Canyon National Park in California was established.

1952

Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis were married in San Fernando Valley, California.

1960

An explosives-laden French freighter, La Coubre, exploded in Havana’s harbor, killing at least 75 people.

1977

Some 1,500 people were killed in an earthquake that shook southern and eastern Europe.

1987

President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation on the Iran-Contra affair, acknowledging that his overtures to Iran had “deteriorated” into an arms-for-hostages deal.

1998

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment at work can be illegal even when the offender and victim are of the same gender.

2007

NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon announced he was quitting the civil rights organization after just 19 months at the helm, citing growing strain with board members over the group’s management style and future operations. Former Sen. Thomas Eagleton, who resigned as George McGovern’s running mate in 1972 after it was revealed he’d been hospitalized for depression, died in St. Louis at age 77.