TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

1945

During World War II, U.S. B-29 bombers began launching incendiary bomb attacks against Tokyo, resulting in an estimated 100,000 deaths.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1841

The U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. The Amistad, ruled 7-1 in favor of a group of illegally enslaved Africans who were captured off the U.S. coast after seizing control of a Spanish schooner, La Amistad; the justices ruled that the Africans should be set free.

1916

More than 400 Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 Americans. During the First World War, Germany declared war on Portugal.

1933

Congress, called into special session by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, began its “hundred days” of enacting New Deal legislation.

1959

Mattel’s Barbie doll, created by Ruth Handler, made its public debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

1964

The U.S. Supreme Court, in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, raised the standard for public officials to prove they’d been libeled in their official capacity by news organizations.

1976

A cable car in the Italian ski resort of Cavalese fell some 700 feet to the ground when a supporting line snapped, killing 43 people.

1987

Chrysler Corp. announced it had agreed to buy the financially ailing American Motors Corp.

1989

The Senate rejected President George H.W. Bush’s nomination of John Tower to be defense secretary by a vote of 53-47.