Today’s highlight in history
On Feb. 4, 1789, electors chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.
On this date
In 1783, Britain’s King George III proclaimed a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.
In 1861, delegates from six southern states that had recently seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, Ala., to form the Confederate States of America.
In 1941, the United Service Organizations came into existence.
In 1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, 19, was kidnapped in Berkeley, Calif., by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.
In 1983, pop singer-musician Karen Carpenter died in Downey, Calif., at age 32.
In 1987, pianist Liberace, born Władziu Valentino Liberace in West Allis and raised in West Milwaukee, died at his Palm Springs, Calif., home at age 67.
In 2004, the social networking website Facebook had its beginnings as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched “Thefacebook.”
Ten years ago: The Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI, beating the Chicago Bears 29-17.
Five years ago: Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award in a landslide.
One year ago: Infuriating members of Congress, a smirking Martin Shkreli took the Fifth at a Capitol Hill hearing on his practice of jacking up drug prices as CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals.