Today in history

In 1789 Congress created the office of postmaster general.

In 1792 the French Republic was proclaimed.

In 1830 Venezuela seceded from Colombia and became independent.

In 1862 President Abraham Lincoln unveiled his Emancipation Proclamation, in which he called for freedom for slaves in all rebel states by Jan. 1, 1863.

In 1964 the musical “Fiddler on the Roof ”’ opened on Broadway. It would run 3,242 performances.

In 1973 Henry Kissinger was sworn in as secretary of state, becoming the first naturalized citizen to hold the office.

In 1975 President Gerald Ford escaped an assassination attempt by Sara Jane Moore as he stepped out of a hotel in San Francisco. In 1980 Procter and Gamble Co. announced a recall of its Rely brand tampons when federal studies concluded their use increased chances of toxic shock syndrome.

In 1989 prolific American songwriter Irving Berlin died in New York; he was 101.

In 1994 the hit TV series “Friends” debuted on NBC.

In 1995 Time Warner struck a $7.5 billion deal to buy Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

In 1996 actress Dorothy Lamour died at her North Hollywood, Calif.; she was 81.

In 1999 actor George C. Scott died in Westlake Village, Calif.; he was 71.

In 2003 actor Gordon Jump (“WKRP in Cincinnati”) died in Coto de Caza, Calif.; he was 71.