1860

The first Pony Express mail delivery rides began; one heading west from St. Joseph, Missouri, and one heading east from Sacramento.

1882

Outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, a member of James’ gang.

1936

Bruno Richard Hauptmann was electrocuted in Trenton, New Jersey, for the kidnap-murder of 20-month-old Charles Lindbergh Jr.

1948

President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Marshall Plan, designed to help European allies rebuild after World War II and resist communism.

1973

The first handheld portable telephone was demonstrated for reporters on a New York City street corner as Motorola executive Martin Cooper called Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs.

1996

Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, was arrested at his remote Montana cabin by FBI agents.

Birthdays

Conservationist Jane Goodall is 91. Singer Wayne Newton is 83. Singer Tony Orlando is 81. Actor Alec Baldwin is 67. Actor David Hyde Pierce is 66. Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy is 64. Olympic skiing gold medalist Picabo Street is 54. Actor Jennie Garth is 53. Actor Adam Scott is 52. Actor Cobie Smulders is 43.