| On this date in: |
| 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. |
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| AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler |
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| 1985 |
Live Aid, a concert to raise money for Africa’s starving people, was held in London, Philadelphia, Moscow and Sydney, Australia. |
