Today In History

In 1513: Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain.

In 1789: The U.S. House of Representatives gathered for its first meeting under the new government. The first item on its agenda: how to raise money to pay for the government.

In 1913: The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, allowing for the direct election of U.S. senators. Previously, senators were elected by state legislatures.

In 1974: Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career home run in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth’s record.

In 1990: Ryan White, the teenage AIDS patient whose battle for acceptance gained national attention, died in Indianapolis at age 18.