1775 – Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and issues paper currency for 1st time
1801 – First Barbary War: The Barbary pirates of Tripoli declare war on the United States of America (1st US foreign war)
1857 – Indian mutiny against rule by the British East India Company begins with the revolt of the Sepoy soldiers in Meerut
1869 – The tracks of the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific were joined at Promontory, Utah, to form the first transcontinental railway in the United States.
1940 – Winston Churchill succeeds Neville Chamberlain as British Prime Minister
1960 – US atomic submarine USS Triton completes 1st submerged circumnavigation of the globe
1994 – Nelson Mandela sworn in as South Africa’s 1st black president
1994 – American serial killer John Wayne Gacy—whose murders of 33 boys and young men in the 1970s shocked his suburban Chicago community, where he was known for his performances as a clown at charitable events and children’s parties—was executed.
2002 – American FBI agent Robert Hanssen was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to spying for Moscow; he was one of the Soviet Union’s and Russia’s most-valuable double agents and the most-damaging spy ever to penetrate the FBI.
Births & Deaths: 1960 – Irish musician and human rights activist Bono, who was the lead singer of the popular rock band U2, was born.
Sport: 1970 – Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: Bobby Orr scores famous OT winner as Boston beats St. Louis Blues, 4-3 for 4-0 series sweep; Bruins its first title since 1941
Music: 1963 – Decca signs Rolling Stones on advice of Beatle George Harrison
TV & Film: 1956 – 9th Cannes Film Festival: “The Silent World” directed by Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle wins the Palme d’Or
