Editorials

Today’s Highlight in History: 

On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, killing an estimated 140,000 people in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare. 

On this date: 

In 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia began to debate the articles contained in a draft of the United States Constitution. 

In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire went out of existence as Emperor Francis I abdicated. 

In 1825, Bolivia declared its independence from Peru. 

In 1890, convicted murderer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed in the electric chair as he was put to death at Auburn State Prison in New York. 

In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war against Russia and Serbia declared war against Germany. 

In 1926, Gertrude Ederle of New York became the first American woman to swim the English Channel. She did it in about 14 1/2 hours. 

In 1962, Jamaica became an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth. 

In 1965, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. 

In 1978, Pope Paul VI died at Castel Gandolfo at age 80. 

In 1986, William J. Schroeder died after living 620 days with the Jarvik Seven artificial heart. 

Ten years ago:  

President Bush granted full diplomatic recognition to the former Yugoslav republics of Bosnia-Herzegovina.