TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

1976

Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.

ALSO ON THIS DATE

1789

The U.S. House of Representatives held its first full meeting in New York; Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House speaker.

1891

The Wrigley Co. was founded in Chicago by William Wrigley, Jr.

1917

Scott Joplin, “The King of Ragtime Writers,” died at a New York City hospital; he was believed to have been 49 years old.

1945

American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II.

1954

The United States Air Force Academy was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

1963

New York City’s daily newspapers resumed publishing after settlement was reached in a 114-day strike. The daytime drama “General Hospital” premiered on ABC-TV.

1970

President Richard M. Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.

1972

The first Major League Baseball players’ strike began; it lasted 12days.

1984

Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father, Marvin Gay, Sr. in Los Angeles, the day before the recording star’s 45th birthday.

1987

In his first speech on the AIDS epidemic, President Ronald Reagan told doctors in Philadelphia, “We’ve declared AIDS public health enemy no. 1.”

1992

The National Hockey League Players’ Association went on its first-ever strike, which lasted 10days.

2010

Roman Catholic cardinals across Europe used their Holy Thursday sermons to defend Pope Benedict XVI from accusations he’d played a role in covering up sex abuse scandals. Dayton denied the previous year’s national champs another title as the Flyers beat North Carolina 79-68 to win the NIT. Actor John Forsythe, 92, died in Santa Ynez, California.

2015

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was charged with accepting nearly $1million worth of gifts and travel from a longtime friend in exchange for a stream of political favors on the donor’s behalf; a defiant Menendez, maintaining his innocence, declared he was “not going anywhere.” Eleven former Atlanta public school educators were convicted of racketeering for their role in a cheating scheme to inflate students’ scores on standardized exams. California Gov. Jerry Brown ordered officials to impose statewide mandatory water restrictions for the first time in history. Cynthia Lennon, the first wife of John Lennon, died at 75.