1847

The western African country of Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, declared its independence.

1947

President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, which reorganized America’s armed forces as the National Military Establishment and created the Central Intelligence Agency.

1953

Fidel Castro began his revolt against Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on an army barracks in eastern Cuba. (Castro ousted Batista in 1959.)

1990

President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA, prohibiting discrimination based on mental or physical disabilities.

2002

The Republican-led House voted to create an enormous Homeland Security Department in the biggest government reorganization in decades.

2016

Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Birthdays

Football Hall of Famer Bob Lilly is 85. The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger is 81. Actor Helen Mirren is 79. Rock musician Roger Taylor (Queen) is 75. Actor Sandra Bullock is 60. Actor Kate Beckinsale is 51. Actor Elizabeth Gillies is 31. Actor Thomasin McKenzie is 24.