On July 13, 1967, race-related rioting broke out in Newark, N.J.; 27 people died in four days of violence.
1793 French revolutionary writer Jean Paul Marat was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who was executed four days later.
1863 Rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City; about 1,000 people died over three days.
1923 A sign consisting of 50-foot-tall letters spelling out “HOLLYWOODLAND” was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote a subdivision (the last four letters were removed in 1949)
1930 France beat Mexico 4-1 in the first match of soccer’s inaugural World Cup tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay.
1939 Frank Sinatra made his first commercial recording, “From the Bottom of My Heart” and “Melancholy Mood,” with Harry James and his Orchestra for the Brunswick label.
1960 John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Los Angeles.
1977 A 25-hour blackout hit the New York City area after lightning struck upstate power lines.
1985 Live Aid, a concert to raise money for Africa’s starving people, was held in London, Philadelphia, Moscow and Sydney, Australia.
Today’s Birthdays:
Actor Patrick Stewart turns 75 years old today.
Harrison Ford, Actor, 73
Roger McGuinn, Rock singer, musician (The Byrds), 73
Didi Conn, Actress, 64
Louise Mandrell, Singer, 61
Cameron Crowe, Director, 58
Tom Kenny, Comedian, voice actor (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), 53
Actor-comedian Cheech Marin turns 69 years old today.