TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

August 24, 1992

Hurricane Andrew smashed into Florida, causing $30 billion in damage; 43 U.S. deaths were blamed on the storm.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1572

The St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre of French Protestants at the hands of Catholics began in Paris.

1814

During the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to the Capitol and the White House, as well as other public buildings.

1912

Congress passed a measure creating the Alaska Territory. Congress approved legislation establishing Parcel Post delivery by the U.S. Post Office Department, slated to begin on January 1, 1913.

1932

Amelia Earhart embarked on a 19-hour flight from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, making her the first woman to fly solo, non-stop, from coast to coast.

1949

The North Atlantic Treaty came into force.

1954

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Communist Control Act, outlawing the Communist Party in the United States.

1967

A group of demonstrators led by Abbie Hoffman caused a disruption at the New York Stock Exchange by tossing dollar bills onto the trading floor. American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, 85, died in Honolulu.