1776 – Nathan Hale leaves Harlem Heights Camp (127th St) for spy mission.
1787 – American statesman George Mason suggests the addition of a Bill of Rights to the Constitution modeled on previous state declarations, but the motion is defeated.
1857 – 423 die when “Central America” sinks off Cape Romain, SC.
1914 – Yankee shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, 23, becomes youngest manager.
1927 – Sigmund Romberg’s musical “My Maryland,” premieres in NYC.
1928 – Katharine Hepburn’s NYC stage debut in “Night Hostess”
1935 – Millionaire Howard Hughes flies his own designed plane at 352.46 mph.
1941 – 1st German ship in WW II captured by US ship (Busko)
1944 – Hurricane kills 389 in NC.
1953 – Brooklyn Dodgers clinch NL pennant earlier than any other team.
1959 – “Bonanza” premieres on NBC-TV.
1960 – John F. Kennedy says he does not speak for the Roman Catholic Church, and neither does the Church speak for him.
1964 – Ralph Boston of US, sets then long jump record at 27′ 4 1/2″
1976 – White Sox Minnie Minoso, 53, is oldest to get a hit in majors.
1978 – Situation comedy “Taxi” premieres on ABC television.
1984 – Country singer Barbara Mandrell is badly injured in a car accident.
1993 – STS-51 (Discovery) launched into orbit.
2005 – The bodies of more than 40 patients discovered in a flooded hospital in New Orleans.
2012 – Apple unveils its iPhone and iOS 6.