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June 8th
1953: Court says D.C. restaurants must serve African-Americans
The Supreme Court ruled today that restaurants and bars in Washington D.C. are required to serve African-American customers. "The court ruled 8-0 that an 80-year-old District of Columbia law forbidding racial discrimination by cafes, bars and ice cream parlors is valid and still in effect," informed The Frederick Post on June 9, 1953. NOTE: The decision came after a restaurant operated by the Thompson chain refused to serve African-Americans.
1949: FBI report calls Hollywood celebrities communists
"Hollywood movie stars Fredric March, Edward G. Robinson and other major figures in the West Coast film colony were named in a secret FBI report today as alleged members of the Communist Party," explained The News in 1949. The FBI report became public at the espionage trial of Judith Coplon, who was a former Justice Department analyst. NOTE: March responded by saying that the communist charges in the report are "absurd."
1892: Outlaw Robert Ford killed
Deputy Sheriff Edward O'Kelly shot and killed Bob Ford, the outlaw who assassinated Jesse James, today. On June 9, 1892, the Decatur Daily Republican reported, "An unknown man was seen to hand Kelly a double-barreled shot gun when he stepped into the hall and called 'Bob!' Ford turned around when but five feet away and placed his hand on his hip pocket. Kelly raised his gun and fired a load of buckshot into Ford's neck, severing the windpipe and jugular vein and killing him instantly."
1789: Madison proposes Bill of Rights
James Madison proposed 12 amendments to the U.S. Constitution today, the final ten achieving approval to become what is now called the Bill of Rights. On September 21, 1934, 145 years later, The Soda Springs Sun noted in retrospect, "Certain members opposed all amendments until the Constitution had been longer established and the federal government more fully organized; others felt that even stronger safeguards were essential. But these objections were overcome, and Madison's proposals referred to a committee composed of one member from each state."
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