TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Monday, Feb. 27, the 58th day of 2017. There are 307 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Feb. 27, 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began during World War II; Imperial Japanese naval forces scored a victory over the Allies.
On this date:
In 1801, the District of Columbia was placed under the jurisdiction of Congress.
In 1911, inventor Charles F. Kettering demonstrated his electric automobile starter in Detroit by starting a Cadillac’s motor with just the press of a switch, instead of hand-cranking.
In 1922, the Supreme Court, in Leser v. Garnett, unanimously upheld the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed the right of women to vote.
In 1973, members of the American Indian Movement occupied the hamlet of Wounded Knee in South Dakota, the site of the 1890 massacre of Sioux men, women and children. (The occupation lasted until the following May.)
In 1986, the U.S. Senate approved telecasts of its debates on a trial basis.
Ten years ago: The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 416.02 points to end the day at 12,216.24, the worst drop since 9/11.
Five years ago: Three students were shot to death in a Chardon, Ohio, high school cafeteria by a 17-year-old who later received three life terms in prison.
One year ago: “Fifty Shades of Grey” nabbed five prizes at the Golden Raspberry Awards: worst screenplay, actor, actress, screen combo, and film of the year in a tie with “Fantastic Four.”
Today’s Birthdays: Actress Joanne Woodward is 87. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 83. Basketball Hall of Famer James Worthy is 56. Actor Adam Baldwin is 55. Actor Grant Show is 55. Chelsea Clinton is 37. Actor Brandon Beemer is 37. Rock musician Cyrus Bolooki (New Found Glory) is 37. Rock musician Jake Clemons (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bobby Valentino is 37. Thought for Today: “Reasoning with a child is fine, if you can reach the child’s reason without destroying your own.”—John Mason Brown, American essayist (1900-1969).