Today in history

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee, at age 42.

In 1777, American forces won the Battle of Bennington in what was considered a turning point of the Revolutionary War.

In 1812, Detroit fell to British and Indian forces in the War of 1812.

In 1858, a telegraphed message from Britain’s Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan was transmitted over the recently laid trans-Atlantic cable.

In 1937, the American Federation of Radio Artists was chartered.

In 1948, baseball legend Babe Ruth died in New York at age 53.

In 1954, Sports Illustrated was first published by Time Inc.

In 1967, Louis Armstrong recorded “What a Wonderful World” by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss for ABC Records. In 1977, a judge in New York ruled that Renee Richards, a male-to-female transgender, had the right to compete in the U.S. Open without having to pass a sex chromosome test. (In the opening round of the Open, Richards lost to Virginia Wade in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4). The Debby Boone recording of “You Light Up My Life” by Joseph Brooks was released by Warner Bros./Curb Records.

Five years ago: Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney declared he had paid at least 13 percent of his income in federal taxes every year for the previous decade; President Barack Obama’s campaign shot back: “Prove it.”

One year ago: Simone Biles captured her fourth gold of the Rio Games with an electric performance in the floor exercise.

“In politics people give you what they think you deserve and deny you what they think you want.”