Today In History

In 1541: Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River.

In 1846: The first major battle of the Mexican War was fought at Palo Alto, Texas, resulting in victory for Gen. Zachary Taylor’s forces.

In 1945: President Truman announced on radio that World War II had ended in Europe.

In 1958: Vice President Nixon was shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by anti-American protesters in Lima, Peru.

In 1973: Militant American Indians who’d held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrendered.

In 1978: David R. Berkowitz pleaded guilty to New York’s “Son of Sam” killings.

In 1987: Gary Hart, dogged by questions about his relationship with Miami model Donna Rice, withdrew from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.