TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Sept. 16, 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 the year 2000.

ON THIS DATE

1857

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

1908

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

1919

The American Legion received a national charter from Congress.

1994

A federal jury in Anchorage, Alaska, ordered Exxon Corp. to pay $5 billion in punitive damages for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (the U.S Supreme Court later reduced that amount to $507.5 million).