Khomeini returned to Iran as religious and political leader for life (1979), the Supreme Court held its first meeting (1790), Hollywood was registered as a community (1887), the Oxford English Dictionary was published (1884), Roanoke was founded (1587), the Greensboro sit-ins began (1960), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was established (1920), Nixon announced his candidacy for presidency (1968), “Late Night With David Letterman” debuted (1982), and Langston Hughes was born (1902).
Ayatollah Khomeini has returned to Iran. (1979) Khomeini was in exile for 15 years before he was finally able to return after the Shah of Iran fled the country. He was promptly named Iran’s religious and political leader for life under a new Iranian constitution, a role he held until his death in 1989.
The Supreme Court held its first meeting. (1790) Originally consisted of six members, chaired by John Jay. Jay was appointed chief justice by George Washington after many years of service as ambassador to Spain and France. The court later became extremely powerful and influenced much of American government structure and culture.
Hollywood was initially registered as a community. (1887) The future film capital began as a utopian Christian community. The founder, Harry Wilcox, was a strict temperance advocate, and he probably would have been shocked by the turnaround the city took shortly after his death.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) was published for the first time. (1884) The first part of the OED was published on this day – it would be 40 years before the final 125th part was published. There are over half a million words contained in the OED, with more being added every year.
Roanoke is founded. (1587) The settlement later became known as the ‘Lost Colony’, when ships returning with supplies from England found the colony site deserted. No clear explanation has ever been discovered for what happened to the settlers.
The first of the Greensboro sit-ins has begun. (1960) Four black students start a sit-in at the lunch counter of Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina. This ushered in the first of several nonviolent sit-ins that gained national media coverage and helped tip the balance of popular opinion toward the civil rights movement.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is established. (1920) The “Mounties,” easily recognized by their bright red coats and wide-brimmed hats, are responsible for enforcing federal laws across Canada.
Richard Nixon has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States. (1968) Nixon was known as a staunch opponent of Communism, but most of him canceled his political life after losing the presidency to John F. Kennedy eight years earlier. This time he won with a clear majority against Democratic Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
“Late Night With David Letterman” debuted. (1982) Comedy show was the first of its “Late Night” incarnations, and was known for being unpredictable and sometimes provocative.
Langston Hughes was born. (1902) Hughes was a highly influential African American poet and writer during the Harlem Renaissance. Among his best known works are I, Too, Sing America and The Weary Blues.
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