Today in History for June 29, 2016

Wesley Merritt

June 29, 1534 – Jacques Cartier beame the first European to reach Prince Edward Island.

June 29, 1613 - London's Globe Theatre burned to the ground during a performance of “Henry VIII.” The fire was thought to have been triggered by a sound-effects cannon.

June 29, 1652 - Massachusetts declared itself an independent commonwealth.

June 29-June 30, 1692 – In connection with the Salem witchcraft trials, Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Sarah Wildes, Sarah Good and Elizabeth Howe were tried, pronounced guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.

June 29, 1767 - The British Parliament approved the Townshend Revenue Acts. The act placed import taxes on many of the British products bought by Americans, including lead, paper, paint, glass and tea.

June 29, 1776 - The Virginia constitution was adopted and Patrick Henry was made governor.

June 29, 1776 – The first privateer battle of the American Revolutionary War was fought at Turtle Gut Inlet near Cape May, New Jersey.

June 29, 1776 - Edward Rutledge, one of South Carolina’s representatives to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, expressed his reluctance to declare independence from Britain in a letter to the like-minded John Jay of New York. Contrary to the majority of his Congressional colleagues, Rutledge advocated patience with regards to declaring independence. In a letter to Jay, one of New York’s representatives who was similarly disinclined to rush a declaration, Rutledge worried whether moderates like himself and Jay could “effectually oppose” a resolution for independence.

June 29, 1804 - Privates John Collins and Hugh Hall of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were found guilty by a court-martial consisting of members of the Corps of Discovery for getting drunk on duty. Collins received 100 lashes on his back and Hall received 50.

June 29, 1815 – Bibb County, which was originally part of Monroe County, was created by the Mississippi territorial legislature on this day. Part of Montgomery County, Miss. Territory, in 1817; part of Montgomery County, Alabama Territory, 1817-1818; Cahawba County, Alabama Territory, Feb. 7, 1818-Dec. 14, 1819; Cahawba County, Alabama, Dec. 14, 1819-Dec. 4, 1820; then named changed to Bibb. Present boundaries established in 1868. Now bordered on theh north by Tuscaloosa County and Jefferson County, on the east by Shelby County and Chilton County, on the south by Perry County, and on the west by Hale County. Named Cahawba for the river that flows from north to south through the county. Renamed in 1820 to honor William Wyatt Bibb (1781-1820), territorial governor and first governor of the state, who had died the preceding summer. Its county seats have been the temporary one, Falls of the Cahawba, 1819-22; Bibb Court House, later named Bibbville, 1822-29; and the present one, first known as Centreville Courthouse, now Centreville, chosen in 1829.

June 29, 1825 – During his tour of the United States, the Marquis de Lafayette met with women's groups and then departed Montpelier for Burlington, Vermont, arriving there about 11 a.m. He laid the cornerstone for the "South College" building at the University of Vermont and gave a talk to about 50-60 students. He was entertained at the Grassmount estate. He departed 12 hours after he arrived for Whitehall, New York.

June 29, 1835 - Determined to win independence for the Mexican State of Texas, William Travis raised a volunteer army of 25 soldiers and prepared to liberate the city of Anahuac. The next day, the small army easily captured Captain Antonio Tenorio, the leader of Santa Anna’s forces in Anahuac, and forced the troops to surrender.

June 29, 1846 - The 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment organized in Mobile, Ala. to fight in the Mexican War. Alabamians volunteered in large numbers to fight against Mexico when war came over the annexation of Texas, but only this single regiment, a battalion, and several independent companies actually were received into federal service from the state. During its 11 months of service, the 1st Alabama lost only one man in battle but 150 died from disease.

June 29, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Bowman’s Place, on the Cheat River, in Western Virginia.

June 29, 1862 – The Battle of Savage’s Station took place in Henrico County, Va. Confederate General Robert E. Lee attacked Union General George McClellan as he was pulling his army away from Richmond, Va. in retreat during the Seven Days’ Battles. Although the Yankees lost 1,000 men – twice as many as the Rebels – they were able to successfully protect the retreat.

June 29, 1862 – During the Civil War, the blockade runner, Ann, was captured by the Federal Navy under the guns of Fort Morgan, Ala.

June 29, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought along the James River in the vicinity of Willis’ Church and another at Jordan‘s Ford; along the Williamsburg Road, Virginia; and at Moorefield in Western Virginia. An engagement was also fought at Peach Orchard (or Allen‘s Farm) in the vicinity of Fair Oaks Station. A two-day Federal reconnaissance began between Front Royal and Luray, in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

June 29, 1863 – National Baseball Hall of Fame catcher and manager Wilbert Robinson was born in Bolton, Mass. During his career, he played for the Philadelphia Athletics, the Baltimore Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals and he managed the Orioles and the Brooklyn Robins. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

June 29, 1863 – During the Civil War, the following men were appointed Union Brigadier Generals: George Armstrong Custer, Elon John Farnsworth and Wesley Merritt.

June 29, 1863 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought near Columbia and another at Creelsborough, Kentucky; out from Mound, Louisiana; at Muddy Branch and Westminster, Maryland; and at Decherd, Haillsborough, Lexington and Tullahoma in Tennessee. The first day of what would be two days of skirmishing began in Mississippi at Messinger’s Ferry, along the Big Black River.

June 29, 1863 – During the Civil War, the siege at Vicksburg, Miss. entered Day 43.

June 29, 1863 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania as Northern and Southern armies continued to concentrate toward Gettysburg and Cashtown. Federal cavalry probed the moving Southern army.

June 29, 1863 – During the Civil War, a six-day Confederate operation in the vicinity of Beverly, West Virginia began.

June 29, 1864 – During the Civl War, a skirmish was fought at Pond Springs in Northern Alabama.

June 29, 1864 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Meffleton Lodge, Arkansas; at Davis Bend, Louisiana; at La Fayette, Tennessee; and at Charlestown and Duffield’s Station, West Virginia.

June 29, 1865 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought with Indians near Fort Dodge, Kansas.

June 29, 1892 - Sigmund Freud first referred to the unconscious, calling it a "second state of consciousness."

June 29, 1897 - The Chicago Cubs scored 36 runs in a game against Louisville, setting a record for runs scored by a team in a single game.

June 29, 1900 – French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery was born in Lyons.

June 29, 1901 - The first edition of "Editor & Publisher" was issued.

June 29, 1910 – Composer, librettist and lyricist Frank Loesser was born in New York City.

June 29, 1911 – The baseball season was scheduled to open in Evergreen, Ala. on this day with three games between Evergreen and Andalusia on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. George Farnham was Evergreen’s manager.

June 29, 1914 – Jina Guseva attempted to assassinate Grigori Rasputin at his home town in Siberia.

June 29, 1915 – Merchants and business owners of Evergreen, Ala. signed an agreement on this Tuesday to close for business on Mon., July 5, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday, which fell on a Sunday.

June 29, 1916 – The Conecuh Record reported that Knud Nielsen had left that week for a visit to Chicago.

June 29, 1916 – The Conecuh Record reported that Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Cargill of Montgomery, spent a day with Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Cargill that week. Mr. Cargill was a popular L&N conductor and a native of Evergreen.

June 29, 1916 – The Conecuh Record reported that “an opportunity to have high class portrait painting from life or photograph by Woodford J. Sanders, portrait painter, now paying Evergreen a visit first time in 20 years, lately from Montgomery, and having painted the portraits of Dr. John Massey, M.B. Houghton, J. Flowers, Judge W.A. Thomas and others for the Women’s College of Alabama. Sanders, while in our neighbor city of Brewton, placed some 50 or more portraits, among those of note, Dr. Downing, Mr. Shofner, for Downing Industrial School, also the family of Mr. Ed Lovelace, Mr. W. Martin, Mr. Luttrell, Mr. E. McGowin, Dr. Smith and others, giving entire satisfaction. Mr. Sanders will be here for a short stay, and those desiring to remember their loved ones as in life will do well to see him at once.”

June 29, 1916 – The Monroe Journal reported that the following officers had been elected at Mizpah Lodge No. 667 for the following year: W.R. Blackwell, worshipful master; J.W. Wilkinson, senior warden; R.T. Lambert, junior warden; Chas. A. Florey, treasurer; John T. Lambert, secretary; W.L. Morris, senior deacon; Alex T. Davis, junior deacon; Robert Stacey, tyler; J.F. Grimes, B.F. Lambert, stewards; W.J. Curry, chaplain.

June 29, 1916 – The Monroe Journal reportd that the following officers had been elected at Jones Mill Lodge No. 702 for the following year: J.H. Baas, worshipful master; H.A. Baggett, senior warden; G.L. Galloway, junior warden; J.A. Barnes, treasurer; C.W. Adams, secretary; W.W. Grimes, senior deacon; W.D. Sawyer, junior deacon; S.B. McMillan, Irvin Bailey, stewards; J.W. Cizenba, tyler; J.J. Sessions, chaplain; J.T. Sawyer, marshal.

June 29, 1916 – The Monroe Journal reported that the following officers had been elected at Monroe Chapter No. 122, Royal Arch, for the following year: Q. Salter, high priest; I.B. Slaughter, king; A.B. Coxwell, scribe; E.M. Salter, captain of the host; J.W. Brown, principal sojourner; A.T. Sowell, royal arch captain; Riley Kelly, master first veil; N.A. McNiel, master second veil; J.M. Sowell, master third veil; H.J. Coxwell, sentinel; J.B. Barnett, secretary; W.H. Tucker, treasurer.

June 29, 1933 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Probate Judge L.W. Price had received pension warrants for old Confederate veterans and widows for the remaining half of the quarter due April 1, 1933, which were payable July 1, that coming Saturday. The pensioners received half payment on this quarter sometime in April and the warrants issued in June was for the remainder.

June 29, 1933 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Bobby Bozeman was spending the week with Clarke Bozeman in Andalusia.

June 29, 1933 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Miss Guice Stevens and her father, L.M. Stevens, had spent the previous week at the Whitley Hotel in Montgomery, where they attended the Spanish-American war veterans reunion.

June 29, 1936 – National Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman, third baseman and left fielder Harmon Killebrew was born in Payette, Idaho. During his career, he played for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

June 29, 1939 – The Monroe Journal reported that Blacksher Lodge No. 593, A.F.&A.M., had held their annual meeting and that the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: R.E. Rabon, Worshipful Master; J.L. Grissett, Senior Warden; A.T. Ellis, Junior Warden; J.J. Bell, Senior Deacon; H.M. Hayles, Junior Deacon; E.R. Hayles, Secretary; W.W. Garrett, Treasurer; J.C. Kyle, Tyler; A.E. Emfinger, Chaplain; Tom Hayles and F.N. Grant, Stewards; J.F. Lambert, Marshal.

June 29, 1939 - The Monroe Journal reported that a new newspaper, The Frisco City Sun, had begun publication in Frisco City and was edited by Eugene C. Thomley.

June 29, 1941 – Joe DiMaggio broke George Sisler’s 1922 American League record of 41 consecutive games with a hit at Griffith Stadium in Washington, and four days later, on July 2, DiMaggio broke "Wee" Willie Keeler’s major league record streak of 44 games.

June 29, 1945 - The annual picnic for the employees of Monroe and Clarke Mills was to be held on the grounds of Monroe Mills in Monroeville, Ala. on this Friday.

June 29, 1948 – Evergreen’s voters were set to go to the polls on this Tuesday to elect a mayor and five councilmen. Candidates for mayor included M.M. Cardwell and J.H. Robison. Candidates for councilmen included Ward C. Alexander, H.H. Beasley, A.G. Bolton, H.A. Deer, C.L. Kamplain, R.G. Kendall, H.J. Kinzer, Zell Murphy, J.W. Shannon, D.T. Stuart and O.B. Tuggle.

June 29, 1949 – Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf was born in Canton, Ohio. He went on to play for Michigan and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

June 29, 1956 – The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, officially creating the United States Interstate Highway System.

June 29, 1960 - Four candidates had qualified by noon on this Wednesday in Monroeville to seek offices in the city election scheduled for Mon., Aug. 1. Dr. W.H. Hines, local veterinarian, filed qualifications for the post of mayor, which was held at that time by Leonard Morris. Two incumbents had also qualified for reelection to city council posts – Julian R. Cole to Place 2 and Curtis A. Dunning to Place 3. Windell Owens, local attorney, had qualified as a candidate for Place 5 on the council, which was held at that time by his brother, E.G. Owens.

June 29, 1964 - Twenty-four New Zealand Army engineers arrived in Saigon as a token of that country’s support for the American effort in South Vietnam.

June 29, 1965 – Army Capt. Rubin Fletcher Bradley of Jackson, Ala. was killed in action in Vietnam.

June 29, 1966 - During the Vietnam War, U.S. aircraft bombed the major North Vietnamese population centers of Hanoi and Haiphong for the first time, destroying oil depots located near the two cities.

June 29, 1970 – Thomas Charles Littles, who was fatally wounded in Vietnam, was honorably discharged from the Army and placed on the Army’s Permanent Disability Retired List. He received care at the Montgomery hospital for 415 days and died from pneumonia on June 3, 1971.

June 29, 1970 - U.S. ground combat troops ended two months of operations in Cambodia and returned to South Vietnam.

June 29, 1975 - The 50^th anniversary of the founding of Uriah First Baptist Church was to be celebrated on this Sunday. With land donated by James Uriah Blacksher, the church building was constructed in 1925 by Shelton Seales, assisted by Tom Gulsby and E.R. Hayles. Early members of the church included the families of the late W.W. Hollinger, Mrs. T.A. Black and Mrs. G.R. Vaught.

June 29-30, 1988 – The annual Evergreen Rotary Club Fish & Wildlife Camp was held at Tal Stuart’s Pond near Belleville, Ala. Award-winners at the camp included Best Archer, Tommy Byrd; Best Fly Caster, Brandon Monk; Best Spin Caster, John Henry Sessions; Best Senior Camper, Ron English; Best Junior Camper, Joey Brewton; Best Bait Caster, Bobby Townson; Best Rifle Shot, Chip Gibson; Best Canoeist, Mike Smith and Best Shotgun Shot, Joey Taylor.

June 29, 1988 – Weather reporter Harry Ellis reported a high of 100 degrees in Evergreen, Ala.

June 29, 1989 – A Conecuh County, Ala. Circuit Court jury found former Olympic boxer Clint Jackson of Evergreen guilty on charges of first-degree kidnapping in connection with the August 1988 kidnapping of Evergreen banker Tom Salo. Dale R. Smith was found guilty of second-degree kidnapping in the same trial, which was one of the longest in county history.

June 29, 2007 – Marlon Anderson of Montgomery, Ala. was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on June 29, 2007, ending his tenure with the club. He cleared waivers and became a free agent on July 11. He was promptly signed to a minor league contract by the Mets on July 12.

June 29, 2008 – Birmingham, Ala. native David Robertson made his Major League debut, taking the field for the first time for the New York Yankees

June 29, 2014 – Through the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), a witness in Atmore reported seeing a UFO around 9:30 p.m. The witness had just parked his car at his house, and when he got out, he saw a strange light about 500 feet or so above a tree near a school building. The witness described the strange light as an “orange, moving ball.” The light moved about one mile in 45 seconds and eventually disappeared, the witness said.

June 29, 2014 – The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant self-declared its caliphate in Syria and northern Iraq.