August 21st
Today in America's Present Past
1781 | Civil Rights: A jury in Sheffield, Massachusetts, grants two slaves their freedom, ruling that enslavement was incompatible with the state’s constitution.
1798 | SCOTUS: Founding Father and Justice James Wilson died.
1824 | Philosopher John Taylor died.
1831 | Civil Rights: Nat Turner’s Rebellion commenced.
1852 | Indian Wars: Tlingit Indians destroy Fort Selkirk, Yukon Territory.
1858 | The first of the Lincoln-Douglas debates in Illinois occurred.
1863 | Civil War: Lawrence, Kansas, Massacre.
1864 | Civil War: Battle at Globe Tavern, Virginia.
1864 | Civil War: Battle of Grubbs Crossroads, Kentucky.
1888 | William Seward Burroughs patents the adding machine.
1891 | Outlaw Bugs Morgan was born.
1897 | Oldsmobile was first manufactured by Olds Motor Vehicle Co. in Lansing, Michigan.
1904 | Musician Count Basie was born.
1905 | Author Mary Mapes Dodge died.
1919 | Civil Rights “Red Summer race riots” in New York City.
1936 | Basketball Pro Wilt Chamberlain was born.
1938 | Musician Kenny Rogers was born.
1940 | Poet Ernest Thayer died.
1942 | Film: “Bambi” debuted.
1945 | POTUS: Democrat President Truman ended the Lend-Lease program.
1959 | Statehood: Hawaii joined the union.
1969 | The first Gap clothing store opens in San Francisco, California.
1973 | Entrepreneur and computer scientist Sergey Brin was born.
1978 | Designer Charles Eames died.
1983 | BMX Pro Josh Harrington was born.
1987 | Film: “Dirty Dancing” debuted.
1996 | Activist Mary Two-Axe Earley died.