1781

The seventh planet of the solar system, Uranus, was discovered by astronomer William Herschel.

1925

The Tennessee General Assembly approved the Butler Act, which prohibited public schools from teaching of the theory of evolution. (The law was challenged in court later that year in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. Tennessee ultimately repealed the law in 1967.)

1996

A gunman entered an elementary school in Dunblane, Scotland, and opened fire, killing 16 children and one teacher before killing himself; it remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history.

2013

Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope, choosing the papal name Francis. He was the first pontiff from the Americas, and the first from outside Europe since Pope Gregory III’s death in the year 741.

2020

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Birthdays

Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka is 86. Actor William H. Macy is 75. Actor Dana Delany is 69. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., is 68. Bassist Adam Clayton (U2) is 65. Jazz musician Terence Blanchard is 63. Actor Annabeth Gish is 54. Rapper-actor Common is 53. Actor Emile Hirsch is 40. Tennis star Coco Gauff is 21.