TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT 1796

President George Washington’s farewell address was published. In it, America’s first chief executive advised, “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1777

The first Battle of Saratoga was fought during the Revolutionary War; although British forces succeeded in driving out the American troops, the Americans prevailed in a second battle the following month.

1881

The 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield, died 21⁄2 months after being shot by Charles Guiteau; Chester Alan Arthur became president.

1957

The United States conducted its first contained underground nuclear test, code-named “Rainier,” in the Nevada desert.

1984

Britain and China completed a draft agreement on transferring Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule by 1997.

1986

Federal health officials announced that the experimental drug AZT would be made available to thousands of AIDS patients.

1995

The New York Times and The Washington Post published the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, which proved instrumental in identifying and capturing him.

1996

IBM announced it would extend health benefits to the partners of its gay employees.

2008

Struggling to stave off financial catastrophe, the Bush administration laid out a radical bailout plan calling for a takeover of a half-trillion dollars or more in worthless mortgages and other bad debt held by tottering institutions. Relieved investors sent stocks soaring.