On this day, Dec. 15

1791 The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, went into effect following ratification by Virginia. 1890 Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull and 11 other tribe members were killed in Grand River, S.D., during a confrontation with Indian police.

1938 Nearly 2,000 business leaders attended dedication of United States Steel’s new $60 million Irvin works.

1954 Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York announced it had decided to construct a parking garage in Gateway Center for at least 600 cars.

1975 Milo Hamilton was chosen as Pirates announcer, replacing the fired Bob Prince.

2013 Nelson Mandela was laid to rest in his childhood hometown, ending a 10-day mourning period for South Africa’s first Black president.

Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s “Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” (digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology).

— Compiled by Rick Nowlin Today’s birthdays: Singer Cindy Birdsong (The Supremes), 81. Rock musician Dave Clark (The Dave Clark Five), 78. Rock musician Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge), 74. Actor Don Johnson, 71. Actor Melanie Chartoff, 70. Movie director Julie Taymor, 68. Movie director Alex Cox, 66. Rock musician Paul Simonon (The Clash), 65. Movie director John Lee Hancock, 64. Democratic Party activist Donna Brazile, 61. Country singer Doug Phelps (Brother Phelps; Kentucky Headhunters), 60. Movie producer-director Reginald Hudlin, 59. Actor Helen Slater, 57. Actor Paul Kaye (TV: “Game of Thrones”), 56. Actor Molly Price, 55. Actor Garrett Wang, 52. Actor Michael Shanks, 50. Actor Stuart Townsend, 48. Figure skater Surya Bonaly, 47. Actor Geoff Stults, 44. Actor Adam Brody, 41. Actor Michelle Dockery, 39. Actor George O. Gore II, 38. Actor Camilla Luddington, 37. Rock musician Alana Haim, 29. Actor Maude Apatow, 23. Actor Stefania Owen, 23.

Thought for today: “The drama of life begins with a wail and ends with a sigh.”

— Minna Antrim, American writer (1856-1950)