Today in history

Today is Friday, July 21, the 202nd day of 2017 and the 32nd day of summer.

On this date in the SCV: In 1927, The Signal reported that a truck driven by H. Boxerman of Los Angeles and loaded with bottles was wrecked at the Balestier place on Mint Canyon Road, when the driver went over the bank to avoid hitting a car driven by Mrs. E. W. Phelps of Los Angeles. Sudden stopping of a car ahead caused Mrs. Phelps to swing to the right side of the road and squarely in front of the truck. The driver was cut and bruised about the face, but went on his way after receiving first aid from Dr. Drake at the Emergency Hospital.

Today’s Highlights in History: In 1861, the first Battle of Bull Run – the first major battle of the Civil War – was fought in Virginia, ending in a Confederate victory. In 1925, Tennessee teacher John Scopes was convicted of violating the state’s law against teaching the theory of evolution. In 1954, the French surrendered North

Vietnam to Communist forces. In 2011, NASA’s Space Shuttle Program came to an end as the shuttle Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Today’s fact: Turkish adventurer Erden Eruc completed the first solo, human-powered global circumnavigation on this day in 2012, after traveling 41,196 miles in 1,026 days.

Today’s sports: In 1959, the Boston Red Sox (the last major league team to integrate) fielded their first African-American player when Pumpsie Green entered a game against the Chicago White Sox in the eighth inning.

Today’s number: -128.6 – temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on this day in 1983, the lowest recorded temperature in world history.

Today’s moon: Between last quarter moon (July 16) and new moon (July 23).