TODAY IN HISTORY

1943

During World War II, the U.S. transport ship SS Dorchester, which was carrying troops to Greenland, sank after being hit by a German torpedo in the Labrador Sea; of the more than 900 men aboard, only some 230survived.

1690

The first paper money in America was issued by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to finance a military expedition to Canada.

1877

The song “Chopsticks,” written by 16-year-old Euphemia Allen under the pseudonym Arthur de Lulli, was deposited at the British Museum under the title “The Celebrated Chop Waltz.”

1913

The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, providing for a federal income tax, was ratified.

1917

The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, the same day an American cargo ship, the SS Housatonic, was sunk by a U-boat off Britain after the crew was allowed to board lifeboats.

1930

The chief justice of the United States, William Howard Taft, resigned for health reasons.

1959

Rock-and-roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a small plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

1966

The Soviet probe Luna 9 became the first manmade object to make a soft landing on the moon.

1988

The U.S. House of Representatives handed President Ronald Reagan a major defeat, rejecting his request for $36.2 million in new aid to the Nicaraguan Contras by a vote of 219-211.

1991

The rate for a first-class postage stamp rose to 29cents.