Today’s highlight in history
On April 1, 1917, Scott Joplin, “The King of Ragtime Writers” whose songs included “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer,” died at a New York City hospital. He was believed to have been 49 years old at the time of his death.
On this date
In 1789, the U.S. House of Representatives held its first full meeting in New York; Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House speaker.
In 1924, Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch in Munich. (Hitler was released in December 1924; during his time behind bars, he wrote his autobiographical screed, “Mein Kampf.”)
In 1933, Nazi Germany staged a daylong national boycott of Jewish-owned businesses. It was the Nazi government’s first coordinated action against the Jewish community.
In 1945, American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II. (U.S. forces succeeded in capturing the Japanese island on June 22.)
In 1972, the first Major League Baseball players’ strike began; it lasted 12 days.
In 1987, in his first speech on the AIDS epidemic, President Ronald Reagan told the Philadelphia College of Physicians, “We’ve declared AIDS public health enemy No. 1.”
In 1992, the National Hockey League Players’ Association went on its first-ever strike, which lasted 10 days. Ten years ago: At age 18 years and 10 months, Morgan Pressel became the youngest major champion in LPGA Tour history, closing with a 3-under 69 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. (Pressel’s age record has since been broken by Lydia Ko.)
Five years ago: A coalition of more than 70 partners, including the United States, pledged to send millions of dollars and communications equipment to Syria’s opposition groups. One year ago: Chicago teachers staged a one-day strike in the nation’s third-largest district.