TODAY IN HISTORY
7oday is 6 D , the 1st day of . 7here are 5 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On ec. , 19 7, the worst mining disaster in U.S. history occurred as men and boys died in a coal mine explosion in 0onongah, West 9irginia.
On this date:
In 179 , Congress moved to Philadelphia from 1ew ork.
In 1 5, the 1 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery, was ratified as Georgia became the 7th state to endorse it.
In 1 , Army engineers completed construction of the Washington 0onument by setting an aluminum capstone atop the obelisk.
In 1917, some , people were killed when an explosives-laden French cargo ship, the 0ont Blanc, collided with the 1orwegian vessel Imo at the harbor in alifax, 1ova Scotia, setting off a blast that devastated the Canadian city. Finland declared its independence from Russia.
In 19 7, verglades 1ational Park in Florida was dedicated by President arry S. 7ruman.
In 1957, America’s first attempt at putting a satellite into orbit failed as 9anguard 79 rose about four feet off a Cape Canaveral launch pad before crashing down and exploding.
In 19 , 7 coal miners were killed in an explosion at the Robena 1o. 0ine operated by U.S. Steel in Carmichaels, Pa.
In 19 9, a free concert by 7he Rolling Stones at the Altamont Speedway in Alameda County, California, was marred by the deaths of four people, including one who was stabbed by a ell’s Angel.
In 197 , ouse minority leader Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as vice president, succeeding Spiro 7. Agnew.
In 19 9, 1 women were shot to death at the University of 0ontreal’s school of engineering by a man who then took his own life.
In 199 , in 9ene uela, former Lt. Col. ugo Chave , who had staged a bloody socialist coup attempt against the government six years earlier, was elected president.
In 1, the ouse of Representatives, by a one-vote margin, gave President George W. Bush more power to negotiate global trade deals. President Bush dedicated the national Christmas tree to those who had died on Sept. 11 and to service members who had died in the line of duty.
7en years ago: President Barack Obama announced a compromise with the GOP to extend Bush-era income tax cuts despite emocrat obMections the agreement included renewing unemployment benefits and reducing Social Security taxes for one year. 7alks between Iran and six world powers recessed with no sign 7ehran was ready to discuss U.1. Security Council calls to curb its nuclear activity. Pat Gillick, whose teams won three World Series titles in 7 years as a maMor league general manager, was elected to baseball’s all of Fame by the 9eterans Committee.
Five years ago: In an Oval Office address, President Barack Obama vowed the U.S. would overcome a new phase of the terror threat that sought to “poison the minds” of people around the world, as he responded to ISIS terror attacks that killed 15 people. Former President -immy Carter said his most recent brain scan showed no sign of cancer, four months after he was diagnosed with melanoma. A U.S. shipment of much-needed supplies rocketed toward the International Space Station. .ennedy Center onors recogni ed “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, singer-songwriter Carole .ing, actor-singer Rita 0oreno, conductor SeiMi O awa and actor Cicely 7yson.
One year ago: An aviation student from Saudi Arabia opened fire inside a classroom at the 1aval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, killing three people and wounding two sheriff’s deputies before one of the deputies killed him. (U.S. officials later said that 0ohammed Saeed Alshamrani had communicated with al-4aida operatives about planning and tactics in the months leading up to the attack.