13-07-2025
Today in History: Live Aid concerts
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In 1846, a fire destroyed most of Nantucket's commercial district, including 250 buildings. It began in a hat store on Main Street, then swept through town, fueled by exploding barrels of whale oil along the wharves. The fire, according to Mass Humanities, contributed to the demise of Nantucket as the world capital of the whaling industry.
In 1863, deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City. (The insurrection was put down three days later.)
In 1923, a sign consisting of 50-foot-tall letters spelling out 'HOLLYWOODLAND' was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote a subdivision (the last four letters were removed in 1949).
In 1930, the first FIFA World Cup began in Uruguay.
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In 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot at his party's convention in Los Angeles.
In 1973, former presidential aide Alexander P. Butterfield revealed to Senate Watergate Committee staff members the existence of President Richard Nixon's secret White House taping system.
In 1985, the 'Live Aid' benefit rock concerts were held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia, raising millions for famine relief in Ethiopia.
In 1999, Angel Maturino Resendiz, suspected of being the 'Railroad Killer,' surrendered in El Paso, Texas.
In 2013, a jury in Florida cleared neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice.
In 2018, a grand jury indictment, sought by special counsel Robert Mueller, alleged that the Russian government was behind a sweeping conspiracy to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
In 2020, Washington's NFL franchise dropped the 'Redskins' name and logo amid pressure from sponsors; the move followed decades of criticism that the name and logo were offensive to Native Americans. (The team was eventually renamed the Commanders.)
