President Herbert Hoover signed a bill making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States.

1943

In London’s East End, 173 people died in a crush of bodies at the Bethnal Green Tube station, which was being used as a wartime air raid shelter.

1969

Apollo 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test NASA’s lunar module.

1991

Motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers after a high-speed chase. Amateur video that captured the scene aired on local news, sparking public outrage.