Today:
1792 – Kentucky was admitted as the 15th state of the United States.
1796 – Tennessee was admitted as the 16th state of the United States.
1812 – U.S. President James Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britain, leading to the War of 1812.
1916 – The Battle of Jutland ended, the largest naval battle of World War I between the British Royal Navy and the German Imperial Navy.
1926 – Marilyn Monroe was born in Los Angeles, California.
1938 – Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, launching the superhero comic book genre.
1967 – The Beatles released their iconic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in the United States.
1980 – CNN (Cable News Network) was launched, becoming the first 24-hour news network.
2001 – Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal died three days after allegedly killing nine members of the royal family before shooting himself.
2009 – General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the fourth largest in U.S. history.