September 8
Today in America's Present Past
1565 | The first permanent European settlement was founded in the US at St. Augustine, Florida.
1664 | The Dutch surrendered New Netherlands (including NYC) to the British.
1755 | The British defeated the French forces at the Battle of Lake George.
1756 | Indian Wars: 30-40 Lenape Indians were killed by Pennsylvania Provincial troops.
1780 | General Enoch Poor died.
1847 | Mexican-American War: General Scott won the Battle of Molino del Rey.
1784 | Cleric Ann Lee died.
1860 | The excursion steamer “Lady Elgin” sinks on Lake Michigan, resulting in the most significant loss of life on the Great Lakes.
1864 | Entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller weds Laura Spelman.
1868 | The New York Athletic Club formed.
1889 | Politician Robert A. Taft was born.
1892 | The “Pledge of Allegiance” was published for the first time.
1916 | POTUS: Democrat President Wilson signs the Emergency Revenue Act, doubling the income tax rate and adding an inheritance tax.
1922 | Actor Isaac Sidney "Sid" Caesar was born.
1922 | Activist Lyndon LaRouche was born.
1923 | The Honda Point Disaster occurred, sinking seven U.S. Navy ships.
1930 | The first appearance of the comic strip "Blondie.”
1930 | Richard Gurley Drew created Scotch Tape.
1932 | Musician Patsy Cline was born.
1933 | Pedestrian Paul M. Fleiss was born in Detroit, Michigan.
1935 | Huey Long dies, assassinated by Carl Weiss.
1938 | Politician Sam Nunn was born.
1943 | WWII: The U.S. liberates Italy.
1950 | General James Mattis was born.
1952 | Ernest Hemingway publishes “The Old Man and the Sea.”
1953 | SCOTUS: Chief Justice Fred Vinson died.
1954 | Activist Ruby Bridges was born.
1966 | Aviation pioneer Gill Robb Wilson died.
1966 | TV: "Star Trek" debuted.
1971 | The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened.
1974 | POTUS: Republican President Ford pardons Richard Nixon.
1979 | Musician Pink was born.
1980 | Chemist Willard Libby died.
1981 | Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas was born.
1986 | TV “The Oprah Winfrey Show" debuted nationally.
2014 | Entrepreneur S. Truett Cathy died.