On Sept. 12, 1944, U.S. troops entered Germany, near Trier.
In 1954 “Lassie” made its TV debut on CBS.
In 1960 Democratic presidential candidate John Kennedy, a Roman Catholic, told a Protestant group in Houston, “I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me.”
In 1966 “The Monkees” debuted on NBC.
In 1974 Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed by Ethiopia’s military after a 58-year reign.
In 1977 South African black student leader Steven Biko died while in police custody, triggering an international outcry.
In 1984 the Bulls chose Michael Jordan as their No. 1 pick.
In 1992 the space shuttle Endeavour blasted off, carrying Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space; Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space; and Mamoru Mohri, the first Japanese citizen to fly on a U.S. spaceship. Also, actor Anthony Perkins died in Hollywood at 60.
In 1993 actor Raymond Burr died at 76 at his northern California ranch.
In 1995 the Belarusian military shot down a balloon during an international race, killing its two American pilots.
In 2000 Dutch lawmakers gave same-sex couples the right to marriage, adoption and divorce.
In 2003 singer Johnny Cash died at 71 in Nashville.
