TODAY IN HISTORY

Lead Story

Gandhi begins fast in protest of caste separation, 1932

American Revolution

Battle of Harlem Heights restores American confidence, 1776

Automotive

William Durant creates General Motors, 1908

Civil War

Confederate General Custis Lee is born, 1832

Cold War

United Nations essay contest angers Soviets, 1950

Crime

Murder in Illinois, 1845

Disaster

Killer quake shakes Iran, 1978

General Interest

Mayflower departs England, 1620

Mexican War of Independence begins, 1810

Maria Callas dies, 1977

Massacres at Sabra and Shatila, 1982

Hollywood

Frasier debuts, 1993

Literary

James Alan McPherson is born, 1943

Music

Opera star Maria Callas dies, 1977

Old West

Settlers race to claim land, 1893

Presidential

Franklin Roosevelt approves military draft, 1940

Sports

Leonard knocks out Hearns to unify middleweight title, 1981

Vietnam War

U.S. Ambassador in Saigon warns that situation is worsening, 1960

Nixon announces the withdrawal of a further 35,000 troops from Vietnam, 1969

World War I

Hindenburg gives order to strengthen German defenses , 1916

World War II

United States imposes the draft, 1940