1509

Theologian John Calvin, a key figure of the Protestant Reformation, was born in Noyon, Picardy, France.

1925

Jury selection began in Dayton, Tennessee, in the trial of John T. Scopes, charged with violating the law by teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

1929

American paper currency was reduced in size as the government began issuing bills that were approximately 25 percent smaller.

1940

During World War II, the Battle of Britain began as the German Luftwaffe launched attacks on southern England.

1962

The first active communications satellite, Telstar 1, was launched by NASA.

1991

Boris N. Yeltsin took the oath of office as the first elected president of the Russian republic.

Birthdays

Singer Mavis Staples is 86. Actor Robert Pine is 84. International Tennis Hall of Famer Virginia Wade is 80. Folk singer Arlo Guthrie is 78. Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson is 71. Rock singer Neil Tennant is 71. Banjo player Bela Fleck is 67. Actor Fiona Shaw is 67. Singer/actor Jacky Cheung is 64. Actor Alec Mapa is 60. Actor Sofia Vergara is 53. Actor Adrian Grenier is 49. Actor Thomas Ian Nicholas is 45. Singer/actor Jessica Simpson is 45.