THURSDAY IN HISTORY

Today is Thursday, July 27, the 208th day of 2017. There are 157 days left in the year.

Highlight in History:

On 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.”

On this date:

In 1789, President George Washington signed ameasure establishing the Depart-ment of Foreign Affairs, forerunner of the Department of State.

In 1880, British and Indian troops suffered amajor defeat to Afghan forces during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

In 1921, Canadian researcher Frederick Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, succeeded in isolating the hormone insulin at the University of Toronto.

In 1953, the Korean War armistice was signed at Panmunjom, ending three years of fighting.

In 1960, Vice President Richard M. Nixon was nominated for president.

In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted 27-11 to adopt the first of three articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon.

In 1996, terror struck the Atlanta Olympics as a pipe bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park, directly killing one person and injuring 111.

Ten years ago: The House sent President George W. Bush legislation to intensify anti-terror efforts in the U.S., carrying out major recommendations of the independent 9/11 Commission (Bush signed the measure into law).

Five years ago: Britain opened its Olympic Games in a celebration of Old England and new, even cheekily featuring a stunt double for Queen Elizabeth II parachuting with James Bond into Olympic Stadium.

One year ago: President Barack Obama implored Americans to elect Hillary Clinton to the White House, casting her as a candidate who believed in the optimism that drove the nation’s democracy and warning against the “deeply pessimistic vision” of Republican Donald Trump.

Today’s Birthdays: TV producer Norman Lear is 95. Olympic gold medal figure skater Peggy Fleming is 69. Comedian Bill Engvall is 60. ML Ball-star Alex Rodriguez is 42.

Thought for Today: “Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice doggie’ until you can find a rock.” — Will Rogers, American humorist (1879-1935).