TODAY IN HISTORY

WEDNESDAY SEP 8, 2021 1565

A Spanish expedition established the first permanent European settlement in North America at presentday St. Augustine, Florida.

1504

Michelangelo’s towering marble statue of David was unveiled to the public in Florence, Italy.

1664

The Dutch surrendered New Amsterdam to the British, who renamed it New York.

1761

Britain’s King George III married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-strelitz a few hours after meeting her for the first time.

1892

An early version of “The Pledge of Allegiance,” written by Francis Bellamy, appeared in “The Youth’s Companion.” It went: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

1900

Galveston, Texas, was struck by a hurricane that killed an estimated 8,000 people.

1935

Sen. Huey P. Long, a Louisiana Democrat, was shot and mortally wounded inside the Louisiana State Capitol; he died two days later.

1939

President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a “limited national emergency” in response to the outbreak of war in Europe.

1941

The 900-day Siege of Leningrad by German forces began during World War II.

1943

During World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower announced Italy’s surrender; Nazi Germany denounced Italy’s decision as a cowardly act.

1964

Public schools in Prince Edward County, Virginia, reopened after being closed for five years by officials attempting to prevent court-ordered racial desegregation.

1974

President Gerald R. Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” to former President Richard Nixon covering his entire term in office.