TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS 1968

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, 251⁄2 hours after he was shot by Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1799

American politician and orator Patrick Henry died at Red Hill Plantation in Virginia.

1816

A snowstorm struck the northeastern U.S., heralding what would become known as the “Year Without a Summer.”

1918

U.S. Marines suffered heavy casualties as they launched their eventually successful counteroffensive against German troops in the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in France.

1933

The first drive-in movie theater was opened by Richard Hollingshead in Camden County, New Jersey.

1939

The first Little League game was played as Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy 23-8 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

1944

During World War II, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on “D-Day” as they began the liberation of German-occupied Western Europe.

1955

The U.S. Post Office introduced regular certified mail service.

1966

Black activist James Meredith was shot and wounded as he walked along a Mississippi highway to encourage black voter registration.

1978

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13, a primary ballot initiative calling for major cuts in property taxes.

1982

Israeli forces invaded Lebanon to drive Palestine Liberation Organization fighters out of the country.