TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT 1864

During the Civil War, Union forces led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman began their “March to the Sea” from Atlanta; the campaign ended with the capture of Savannah on Dec. 21.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1777

The Second Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation.

1806

Explorer Zebulon Pike sighted the mountaintop now known as Pikes Peak in present-day Colorado.

1935

The Commonwealth of the Philippines was established as its new president, Manuel L. Quezon, took office.

1937

At the U.S. Capitol, members of the House and Senate met in air-conditioned chambers for the first time.

1942

The naval Battle of Guadalcanal ended during World War II with a decisive U.S. victory over Japanese forces.

1958

Actor Tyrone Power, 44, died in Madrid, Spain, while filming “Solomon and Sheba.”

1959

Four members of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas, were found murdered in their home.

1966

The flight of Gemini 12, the final mission of the Gemini program, ended successfully as astronauts James A. Lovell and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. splashed down safely in the Atlantic after spending four days in orbit.

1969

A quarter of a million protesters staged a peaceful demonstration in Washington against the Vietnam War.

1974

The disaster movie “Earthquake” was released by Universal Pictures in “Sensurround,” which bombarded the audience with low-frequency sound waves during the quake scenes.