1858 – The first of seven debates between Illinois senatorial contenders Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas took place.
1878 – The American Bar Association was founded in Saratoga, N.Y.
1912 – Arthur R. Eldred of Oceanside, N.Y., was the first boy to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
1944 – The United States, Britain, the Soviet Union and China opened talks at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington that helped pave the way for establishment of the United Nations.
1959 – Hawaii became the 50th state as President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order, five months after he signed the Hawaiian statehood bill.
1968 – Marine James Anderson Jr. was the first black Medal of Honor recipient.
1982 – Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to reach 300 saves.
1984 – Victoria Roche was the first girl to compete in a Little League World Series game. The reserve outfielder from Belgium played in the annual tournament held in Williamsport, Pa., with her brother, starting outfielder Jeremy Roche.
2007 – Space Shuttle Endeavour safely returned to Cape Canaveral, Fla.
