HIGHLIGHTS IN HISTORY
Today’s highlight:
On Sept. 8, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” to former President Richard Nixon covering his entire term in office.
On this date:
1565: European A Spanish settlement expedition in North established America at the present-day first permanent St. Augustine, Florida. 1664: who renamed The Dutch it New surrendered York. New Amsterdam to the British,
1892: by Francis An early Bellamy, version of “The Pledge of Allegiance,” written appeared Companion.” in “The It went: Youth’s “I pledge Flag and allegiance the Republic to my for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 1900: Galveston, Texas, was struck by a hurricane that killed an estimated 8,000 people.
1930: The comic strip “Blondie,” created by Chic Young, was first published. 1939: President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a “limited national emergency” in response to the outbreak of war in Europe. 1941: The 900-day Siege of Leningrad by German forces began during World War II.
1951: A peace treaty with Japan was signed by 49 nations in San Francisco.
1985: Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds tied Ty Cobb’s career record for hits, singling for hit number 4,191 during a game against the Cubs in Chicago. 1994: USAir Flight 427, a Boeing 737, crashed into a ravine as it was approaching Pittsburgh International Airport, killing all 132 people on board.
Ten years ago: In a pointed but mostly symbolic expression of displeasure with Moscow, President George W. Bush canceled a once-celebrated civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Russia. Roger Federer salvaged the 2008 season by easily beating Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to win his fifth consecutive U.S. Open championship and 13th major title overall. Five years ago: NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous, credited with boosting finances at the nation’s largest civil rights organization and helping to stabilize it, announced plans to step down at year’s end. Top-seeded Serena Williams won her fifth U.S. Open championship and 17th Grand Slam title overall by beating No. 2 Victoria
Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 in a windy final. The International Olympic Committee voted wrestling back onto the program for the 2020 and 2024 Games. Perennial pitchman and car dealer Cal Worthington died in Orland, California, at age 92.
One year ago: Hurricane Irma regained Category 5 status, battering Cuba with 160-mph winds and taking aim on the Miami area; the death toll across the Caribbean climbed past 20 after the storm ravaged islands including St. Martin, St. Barts, St. Thomas, Barbuda and Anguilla. In one of the country’s largest evacuations, officials in Florida told more than 5 million people to leave their homes ahead of the hurricane; parts of interstates 75 and 95 northbound were bumper-to-bumper. Singer Troy Gentry, half of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry, died in a helicopter crash in Medford, New Jersey; pilot James Robinson was also killed.