TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

Feb. 27, 1968

At the conclusion of a CBS News special report on the Vietnam War, Walter Cronkite delivered a commentary in which he said that the conflict appeared “mired in stalemate.” Former teen singing idol Frankie Lymon, known for such songs as “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” and “Goody Goody,” was found dead of a drug overdose in New York at age 25.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1700

English explorer William Dampier became the first known European visitor to the island of New Britain in the Southwest Pacific.

1801

The District of Columbia was placed under the jurisdiction of Congress.

1922

The Supreme Court, in Leser v. Garnett, unanimously upheld the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed the right of women to vote.

1933

Germany’s parliament building, the Reichstag, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler, blaming the Communists, used the fire to justify suspending civil liberties.

1951

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms of office, was ratified.

1960

The U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets, 3-2, at the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, California.