Today in history

Today is Friday, August 18, the 230th day of 2017 and the 60th day of summer.

On this date in the SCV: In 1944, The Signal reported that, with offices established at the W. D. Parks residence at 917 Newhall Avenue, officers of the Newhall Refinery were hard at work not only arranging for the continuation of the firm’s business, but with plans for rebuilding the badly damaged plant. Pres. Parks stated that no figure could be placed on the loss, but declared that the estimates of $500,000, appearing in the Los Angeles papers, were considerably exaggerated. The loss was covered by insurance, he said. Destroyed in the terrific Friday night fire were several storage tanks, the loading racks, five large tanker trucks, a pickup truck, the laboratory, company office, and some 25,000 barrels of various petroleum fluids.

Today’s Highlights in History: In 1587, Virginia Dare became the first

English child born in the Americas. In 1590, Roanoke Island governor John White returned from a supply trip to England to find the colony deserted. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, extending the right to vote to women. In 1983, Hurricane Alicia made landfall near Galveston, Texas, eventually causing 22 deaths and more than $1 billion in damage. In 2008, Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf resigned under threat of impeachment.

Today’s fact: In the 2016 presidential election, 54 percent of women voters voted for Hillary Clinton, while only 41 percent voted for Donald Trump. Female voters made up 53 percent of the electorate.

Today’s sports: In 1992, Larry Bird announced his retirement from the NBA after 13 seasons.

Today’s number: 100,000 – copies of Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel “Lolita” that were sold in the first three weeks after its U.S. publication on this day in 1958.

Today’s moon: Between last quarter moon (Aug. 14) and new moon (Aug. 21).