Events, Births and Deaths Happening on this Date

1775

The American colonies created the Continental Army, which became the first united military in American history and was the predecessor to the modern U.S. Army.

1777

The Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag.

1841

The first Canadian parliament opened in Kingston.

1846

A group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of California.

1922

Warren G. Harding became the first president heard on radio, as Baltimore station WEAR broadcast his speech dedicating the Francis Scott Key memorial at Fort McHenry.

1940

German troops entered Paris during World War II. Read the original AP story

1940

The Nazis opened a concentration camp at Auschwitz in German-occupied Poland.

1943

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled schoolchildren could not be compelled to salute the flag of the United States if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs.

1954

President Eisenhower signed an order adding the words ''under God'' to the Pledge of Allegiance.

1972

The EPA ordered a ban on the pesticide DDT due to its harmful effects on the environment

1982

Argentine forces surrendered to British troops on the disputed Falkland Islands.

1985

A 17-day hijack ordeal began when a pair of Lebanese Shiite Muslim extremists seized TWA Flight 847 shortly after takeoff from Athens, Greece.

1989

Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor was arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills motorcycle patrolman.

1993

President Bill Clinton nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

1998

The Chicago Bulls clinched their sixth NBA championship, defeating the Utah Jazz.

2000

In the biggest step toward peace since the end of the Korean War, theleaders of North and South Korea signed an agreement pledging to work forreconciliation and eventual reunification.

2017

A man opened fire at several congressional Republicans practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise was injured in the shooting, but survived.

1994

Academy Award-winning composer Henry Mancini died in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 70.