September 5
Today in America's Present Past
1774 | Congress: The First Continental Congress, 12 of 13 colonies, convened at Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia.
1781 | War of Independence: A French fleet defeats the British at the Battle of the Chesapeake, trapping Cornwallis.
1795 | The U.S. and Algiers sign an agreement aimed at curbing Muslim piracy.
1836 | Sam Houston elected President of the Republic of Texas.
1846 | Lawyer and activist John W. Cromwell was born.
1847 | Outlaw Jesse James was born in Kearney, Missouri.
1867 | Composer Amy Beach was born.
1877 | Civil War: Southern blacks led by Pap Singleton settle in Kansas.
1877 | Sioux chief Crazy Horse died.
1882 | America’s first “Labor Day” parade was held in New York City, New York.
1897 | Entrepreneur Arthur C. Nielsen was born.
1905 | The Treaty of Portsmouth is signed, concluding the Russo-Japanese War, for which President Roosevelt received the Nobel Peace Prize.
1921 | Hollywood executive Jack Valenti was born.
1922 | SCOTUS: Justice George Sutherland was sworn in.
1925 | Author Justin Kaplan was born.
1929 | Actor Bob Newhart was born.
1936 | Author Jonathan Kozol was born.
1939 | POTUS: Democrat President Roosevelt declares the US neutral at the start of World War II in Europe.
1939 | Activist Claudette Colvin was born.
1940 | Actress Raquel Welch w
as born.
1951 | Actor Michael Keaton was born.
1957 | “On the Road,” by Jack Kerouac, was published.
1958 | “The Huckleberry Hound Show,” featuring Yogi Bear by Hanna-Barbera, debuted.
1961 | POTUS: Democrat President Kennedy signs legislation creating the death penalty for hijacking.
1975 | POTUS: The first assassination attempt on President Ford by Lynette Fromme in Sacramento, California.
1976 | TV: “The Muppet Show” debuted.
1978 | POTUS: The Camp David Peace Accord conference begins.
2007 | Cleric D. James Kennedy died.
2016 | Activist Phyllis Schlafly died.