TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT ALSO ON THIS DATE

August 4, 1977

President Jimmy Carter signed a measure establishing the Department of Energy.

1790

The U.S. Coast Guard had its beginnings as President George Washington signed a measure authorizing a group of revenue cutters to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.

1792

English romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was born at Field Place near Horsham, England.

1914

Britain declared war on Germany for invading Belgium; the United States proclaimed its neutrality in the mushrooming world conflict.

1936

Jesse Owens of the United States won the second of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics as he prevailed in the long jump over German Luz Long, who was the first to congratulate him.

1944

15-year-old diarist Anne Frank was arrested with her sister, parents and four others by the Gestapo after hiding for two years inside a building in Amsterdam.

1964

The bodies of missing civil rights workers Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney were found buried in an earthen dam in Mississippi.

1972

Arthur Bremer was convicted and sentenced to 63 years in prison for his attempt on the life of Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace.

1987

The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 to abolish the Fairness Doctrine, which required radio and television stations to present balanced coverage of controversial issues.

1993

A federal judge sentenced Los Angeles police officers Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell to 2 1⁄2 years in prison for violating Rodney King’s civil rights.