Today In History

In 1811: Venezuela declared its independence from Spain.

In 1865: William Booth founded the Salvation Army in London.

In 1935: President Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act, which authorized labor to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining.

In 1946: The bikini bathing suit, created by Louis Reard, made its debut in Paris.

In 1947: Larry Doby signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black player in the American League.

In 1954: Elvis Presley’s first commercial recording session took place at Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn.; the song he recorded was “That’s All Right (Mama).”

In 1984: The Supreme Court weakened the 70-year-old “exclusionary rule,” deciding that evidence seized with defective court warrants could be used against defendants in criminal trials.