Today In History

In 1904: A fire began in Baltimore that raged for about 30 hours and destroyed more than 1,500 buildings.

In 1936: President Roosevelt authorized a flag for the office of the vice president.

In 1943: The government announced that shoe rationing would go into effect in two days, limiting consumers to buying three pairs per person for the remainder of the year.

In 1944: During World War II, the Germans launched a counteroffensive at Anzio, Italy.

In 1944: Bing Crosby and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded “Swinging on a Star” for Decca Records.

In 1948: Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower resigned as Army chief of staff; he was succeeded by Gen. Omar Bradley.

In 1964: The Beatles began their first American tour as they arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport.

In 1974: The island of Grenada won independence from Britain.

In 1984: Space shuttle astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart went on the first untethered space walk.

In 1986: Haitian President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier fled his country, ending 28 years of his family’s rule.