ET movie released (1982), Committee of Five drafts Declaration of Independence (1776), Timothy McVeigh executed for Oklahoma City bombing (2001), US Congress recognizes Antonio Meucci as inventor of telephone (2002), US Supreme Court rules flag-burning is constitutional (1990), Alcatraz escape successful (1962), Supreme Court rules abortion is constitutional right (1986), Jeanette Rankin born, first female congresswoman from Montana (1880), David Brinkley dies, pioneer of broadcast journalism (2003), John Wayne dies, famous for western films (1979), Hugh Laurie born, famous for House TV show (1959), Hank Williams Sr. debuts at Grand Ole Opry (1949), Sir Barton wins Triple Crown (1919).
ET: The Extra Terrestrial – the movie – is out. (1982) One of director Steven Spielberg’s greatest cult classics, the film surpassed Star Wars as the most financially successful film, with gross sales of nearly $800 million US dollars.
The Committee of Five was convened to draft a declaration of independence. (1776) Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman were appointed by the Continental Congress to write the document.
American terrorist Timothy McVeigh has been executed. (2001) McVeigh was sentenced to death for his role in the Alfred P. Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, which killed 168 people. It was the deadliest terrorist act on American soil to date.
Identified the first inventor of the telephone. (2002) The US Congress recognized the Italian inventor Antonio Meucci as the inventor of the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell held the patent, but Congress argued that if Meucci had had the funds to pay the $10 US dollar fee to keep the patent after 1874, Bell would not have been able to secure it.
The US Supreme Court has ruled against a law banning the desecration of the American flag. (1990) The court ruling affirmed that self-expression through flag-burning was a constitutional right.
An escape from Alcatraz federal prison was successful. (1962) Three prisoners, John and Clarence Anglin and Frank Lee Morris, were the only prisoners to successfully escape from the famed federal prison. Most believe, however, that the trio drowned while swimming in San Francisco Bay. Photos and other items belonging to the group have been found, but their bodies never were. The escape was the subject of a 1979 film Escape from Alcatraz.
The US Supreme Court has ruled against a Pennsylvania abortion law. (1986) The ruling reinstated his 1973 ruling, making the right to abortion a constitutional right.
Jeanette Rankin is born. (1880) Rankin was the first female congresswoman of the United States. Often referred to as Lady of the House, she served for Montana’s 2nd District from March 3, 1917 to March 3, 1919 and its 1st District from January 3, 1941 to January 3, 1943. To date, she is the only woman elected to Congress from Montana.
American journalist and television host David Brinkley has died. (2003) Brinkley was a pioneer of broadcast journalism with a career that spanned 54 years. He has received 10 Emmy Awards, three Peabody Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
American actor John Wayne has died. (1979) Also known as The Duke, Wayne became known for performing in rugged western films, such as True Grit, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor. He died of stomach cancer at the age of 72.
English actor Hugh Laurie is born. (1959) Laurie first achieved fame in the comedy Fry and Laurie, with her comedy partner Stephen Fry. He now he is the famous main character of the American TV show House.
Hank William, Sr. made his Grand Ole Opry debut. (1949) Performance was broadcast on WSN Nashville radio. He was called by the live audience at Ryman Auditorium for six encores. The audience had to be persuaded not to ask for more so that the show could go on.
Sir Barton became the first horse to win the Triple Crown. (1919) Winning the Belmont Stakes on this day completed the trio, including wins to Kentucky Dere in the Preakness Stakes.
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