TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT 1787

The Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

ON THIS DATE 1862

More than 3,600 men were killed in the Civil War Battle of Antietam in Maryland.

1908

Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge of the U.S. Army Signal Corps became the first person to die in the crash of a powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer, at Fort Myer, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.

1937

The likeness of President Abraham Lincoln’s head was dedicated at Mount Rushmore.

1939

The Soviet Union invaded Poland during World War II, more than two weeks after Nazi Germany had launched its assault.

1944

During World War II, Allied paratroopers launched Operation Market Garden, landing behind German lines in the Netherlands. (After initial success, the Allies were beaten back by the Germans.)

1954

The novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding was first published by Faber & Faber of London.

1971

Citing health reasons, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, 85, retired. (Black, who was succeeded by Lewis F. Powell Jr., died eight days after making his announcement.)

1978

After meeting at Camp David, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a framework for a peace treaty.

1994

Heather Whitestone of Alabama was crowned the first deaf Miss America.