TODAY IN HISTORY

1776

The second Continental Congress made the term “United States” official, replacing “United Colonies.”

1850

California became the 31st state of the union.

1932

The steamboat Observation exploded in New York’s East River, killing 72 people.

1948

The People’s Democratic Republic of

Korea (North Korea) was declared.

1957

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the first civil rights bill to pass Congress since Reconstruction, a measure primarily concerned with protecting voting rights and which also established a Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Justice.

1971

Prisoners seized control of the maximum-security Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, N.Y., beginning a siege that claimed 43 lives.

1991

Boxer Mike Tyson was indicted in Indianapolis on a charge of raping Desiree Washington, a beauty pageant contestant.