Today in history

Today is Tuesday, July 18, the 199th day of 2017 and the 29th day of summer.

On this date in the SCV: In 1929, The Signal reported that fire, evidently starting from a passing train, burned about fifteen feet of a bridge near Russ siding. The forestry service was notified and the government fire truck responded. Assistant Fire Warden Daries and the county fire truck also went up. The fire was easily controlled by the government truck, though it was too hot for the firemen to handle, and would soon have reached the brush. Railroad traffic was delayed for about four hours. The bridge had iron girders but the ties, side rail and platform of wood were destroyed.

Today’s Highlights in History: In 1863, Union troops led by Col. Robert Gould Shaw and the African-American soldiers in the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry attacked Fort Wagner in South Carolina. In 1936, Spanish army officials revolted, led by Gen. Francisco Franco, starting the Spanish Civil War. In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the second Presidential Succession Act, designating the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate as next in line after the vice president. In 2013, the city of Detroit, Michigan, filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, estimated at $18-20 million.

Today’s fact: The technology company Intel, founded on this day in 1968, generated $2,672 in first-year revenue. The company currently has a market value of $170 billion.

Today’s sports: In 1976, Nadia Comaneci of Romania became the first athlete to be awarded a perfect 10 score in an Olympic gymnastics event.

Today’s number: 180,000 – African-American men who served as soldiers in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. Roughly half were former slaves from Confederate states.

Today’s moon: Between last quarter moon (July 16) and new moon (July 23).