TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

July 27, 1967

President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed the Kerner Commission to assess the causes of urban rioting, the same day black militant H. Rap Brown told a press conference in Washington that violence was “as American as cherry pie. Americans taught the black people to be violent. We will use that violence to rid ourselves of oppression if necessary.” ALSO ON THIS DATE

1789

President George Washington signed a measure establishing the Department of Foreign Affairs, forerunner of the Department of State.

1866

Cyrus W. Field finished laying out the first successful underwater telegraph cable between North America and Europe.

1880

British and Indian troops suffered a major defeat to Afghan forces during the Second AngloAfghan War.

1921

Canadian researcher Frederick Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, succeeded in isolating the hormone insulin at the University of Toronto.

1942

During World War II, the First Battle of El Alamein in Egypt ended in a draw as Allied forces stalled the progress of Axis invaders.

1953

The Korean War armistice was signed at Panmunjom, ending three years of fighting.

1960

Vice President Richard M. Nixon was nominated for president on the first ballot at the Republican national convention in Chicago.