TODAY IN HISTORY

1542

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto died while searching for gold along the Mississippi River.

1881

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.

1941

A German U-boat sank the American merchant steamship SS Robin Moor in the South Atlantic after the ship's passengers and crew were allowed to board lifeboats.

1955

Chuck Berry recorded his first single, “Maybellene,” for Chess Records in Chicago.

1979

Former San Francisco City Supervisor Dan White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the slayings of Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk; outrage over the verdict sparked rioting.

1991

Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during national elections by a suicide bomber.

2017

President Donald Trump, visiting Riyadh, implored Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries to extinguish “Islamic extremism” emanating from the region.