TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT June 8, 1968

Authorities announced the capture in London of James Earl Ray, the suspected assassin of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ALSO ON THIS DATE

1042

Edward the Confessor became King of England, beginning a reign of 23 1⁄2 years.

1845

Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States, died in Nashville, Tennessee.

1948

The “Texaco Star Theater” made its debut on NBC-TV with Milton Berle guest-hosting the first program.

1953

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that restaurants in the District of Columbia could not refuse to serve blacks. Eight tornadoes struck Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, killing 126 people.

1998

The National Rifle Association elected actor Charlton Heston to be its president.

2013

President Barack Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded a two-day summit in the California desert that ended with few policy breakthroughs but the prospect of closer personal ties. Serena Williams won her 16th Grand Slam title and her first French Open championship since 2002, beating Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4. Palace Malice took charge on the turn for home and won the Belmont Stakes, holding off Preakness winner Oxbow and Kentucky Derby winner Orb.