BLASTS FROM THE PAST
Today’s highlight in history
On July 8, 1853, an expedition led by Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Yedo Bay, Japan, on a mission to seek diplomatic and trade relations with the Japanese.
On this date
In 1776, Col. John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, outside the State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.
In 1889, The Wall Street Journal was first published.
In 1907, Florenz Ziegfeld staged his first “Follies,” on the roof of the New York Theater.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson received a tumultuous welcome in New York City after his return from the Versailles Peace Conference in France.
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman named Gen. Douglas MacArthur commander-in-chief of United Nations forces in Korea. (Truman ended up sacking MacArthur for insubordination nine months later.)
In 1994, Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s communist leader since 1948, died at age 82.
In 2000, Venus Williams beat Lindsay Davenport, 6-3, 7-6 (3), for her first Grand Slam title, becoming the first black female champion at Wimbledon since Althea Gibson in 1957-’58.
Ten years ago: Hurricane Dennis pounded Cuba, resulting in 16 deaths.
Five years ago: During an ESPN primetime special, basketball free agent LeBron James announced he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat.
One year ago: Washington became the second state to allow people to buy marijuana legally in the United States without a doctor’s note.