TODAY IN HISTORY
TODAY IS FRIDAY, JULY 13, the 194th day of 2018. There are 171 days left in the year.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY: On this date in 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot at his party’s convention in Los Angeles, outdrawing rivals including Lyndon B. Johnson, Stuart Symington and Adlai Stevenson.
In 1787, the Congress of the Confederation adopted the Northwest Ordinance, establishing a government in the Northwest Territory.
In 1863, deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City. The insurrection was put down three days later.
In 1923, a sign of 50-foot-tall letters spelling out “HOLLYWOODLAND” was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills. The last four letters were removed in 1949.
In 1939, Frank Sinatra made his first commercial recording, “From the Bottom of My Heart” and “Melancholy Mood,” for the Brunswick label.
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to be U.S. Solicitor General; Marshall became the first black jurist appointed to the post. Two years later, Johnson nominated Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1972, George McGovern received the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Miami Beach.
In 1977, a blackout hit New York City after lightning struck electrical equipment; widespread looting broke out. Power was restored about 25 hours later. In 1978, Lee Iacocca was fired as president of Ford Motor Co. by chairman Henry Ford II.
In 1985, “Live Aid,” an international rock concert in London, Philadelphia, Moscow and Sydney, took place to raise money for Africa’s starving people.
In 1999, Angel Maturino Resendiz, suspected of being the “Railroad Killer,” surrendered in El Paso. He was executed in 2006.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Game show announcer Johnny Gilbert (TV: “Jeopardy!”) is 94. Actor Patrick Stewart is 78. Actor Harrison Ford is 76. Actorcomedian Cheech Marin is 72. Rock musician Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (Twisted Sister) is 62. Actor-director Cameron Crowe is 61. Actor Kenny Johnson is 55. Roots singer/songwriter Paul Thorn is 54. Actor Ken Jeong is 49. Bluegrass musician Mike Barber (The Gibson Brothers) is 48. Singer Deborah Cox is 45. Rock musician Will Champion (Coldplay) is 40. Actor Fran Kranz is 37. Actress Aya Cash is 36. Actors Colton Haynes and Steven R. McQueen are 30. Actress Hayley Erin (“General Hospital”) is 24. Actor Kyle Harrison Breitkopf is 13.