EVENTS
- 1787 – Congress enacted the Northwest Ordinance establishing formal procedures for transforming territories into states. It provided for the eventual establishment of three to five states in the area north of the Ohio River, to be considered equal with the original 13. The Ordinance included a Bill of Rights that guaranteed freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, public education and a ban on slavery in the Northwest.
- 1814 – National military police of Italy created. The Carabinieri was established by the Royal Patents as a policing force with jurisdiction over the military and civilians.
- 1908 – For the first time in the modern Olympics, women compete.
- 1923 – The Hollywood Sign is officially dedicated. It originally reads “Hollywoodland” but the four last letters are dropped after renovation in 1949.”
- 1930 – The first FIFA World Cup begins in Uruguay.
- 1937 – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is founded. The now-international doughnut company was founded by Kentuckian Vernon Rudolph.
- 1977 – Kinney, Minnesota declares its secession from the U.S.. Frustrated by its failing water system, Kinney, Minnesota declared the creation of the Republic of Kinney and sent a letter of secession to the U.S. Secretary of State.
- 1977 – Ethiopian-Somali War begins. The Somali National Army invaded the disputed Ogaden region between Somalia and Ethiopia. The war lasted for 9 months and ended with a Somalian retreat.
- 1977 – The New York City Blackout of 1977 lasts for 25 hours.
- 1985 – Live Aid benefit concert. Held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia, the concert raised millions in benefit of those affected by famine in Ethiopia. Over a billion people tuned in around the world to watch the show.
BIRTHDAYS
- 100 BC – Julius Caesar (Roman leader)
- 1821 – Nathan Bedford Forrest (American army officer)
- 1940 – Patrick Stewart (Actor played Captain Picard on Star Trek)
- 1942 – Harrison Ford (Actor)
- 1944 – Erno Rubik (Invented the Rubik’s Cube)
- 1950 – Ma Ying-jeou (Taiwanese politician)
- 1957 – Cameron Crowe (Director)
- 1963 – Spud Webb (Basketball player)
- 1979 – Craig Bellamy (Welsh footballer)
DEATHS
- 1024 – Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
- 1946 – Alfred Stieglitz (American photographer)
- 1954 – Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter)
- 1976 – Joachim Peiper (German SS officer)
- 2010 – George Steinbrenner (American businessman)