TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

August 6, 1945

During World War II, the U.S. B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb code-named “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths. ALSO ON THIS DATE

1813

During the Venezuelan War of Independence, forces led by Simon Bolivar recaptured Caracas.

1914

Austria-Hungary declared war against Russia and Serbia declared war against Germany.

1917

Actor Robert Mitchum was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

1926

Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel, arriving in Kingsdown, England, from France in 14 1⁄2 hours. Warner Bros. premiered its Vitaphone sound-on-disc movie system in New York with a showing of “Don Juan” featuring synchronized music and sound effects.

1930

New York State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Force Crater went missing after leaving a Manhattan restaurant; his disappearance remains a mystery.

1942

Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands became the first reigning queen to address a joint session of Congress, telling lawmakers that despite Nazi occupation, her people’s motto remained, “No surrender.”