Events, Births and Deaths Happening on this Date

1830

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized by Joseph Smith in Fayette, N.Y

1896

The first modern Olympic Games opened in Athens, Greece.

1909

Explorers Robert E. Peary and Matthew A. Henson became the first men to reach the North Pole. The claim, disputed by skeptics, was upheld in 1989 by the Navigation Foundation.

1917

Congress approved a declaration of war against Germany. Read the original AP story

1954

Journalist Edward R. Murrow broadcast a television expose attacking Wisconsin Sen. Joseph Mccarthy on CBS's ''See It Now.''

1983

Interior Secretary James Watt banned the Beach Boys from the 4th of July celebration on the Washington Mall, saying rock 'n' roll bands attract the ''wrong element.''

1987

Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis said on ABC's ''Nightline'' that blacks ''may not have some of the necessities'' to hold managerial jobs in major-league baseball.

1994

Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun announced his retirement after 24 years.

1994

The presidents of Rwanda and Burundi were killed in a mysterious plane crash near Rwanda's capital; widespread violence erupted in Rwanda over claims the plane had been shot down.

1998

The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 9,000 points for the first time.

1998

Pakistan successfully tested a medium-range missile capable of striking neighboring India.

2000

The father of Elian Gonzalez, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, arrived in the United States to press for the return of his 6-year-old son to Cuba.

1971

Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky died in New York City.

1992

Science-fiction author Isaac Asimov died in New York at age 72.

1998

Country singer Tammy Wynette died at her Nashville, Tenn., home at age 55.