On this day in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. It attracts more than 5.6 million visitors each year.
Former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones (left) sued President Bill Clinton for sexual harassment when he was governor, alleging he exposed himself to her in a hotel room in 1991. The Jones suit, which went all the way to the Supreme Court, was ultimately dismissed by a judge on the grounds Jones could not show damages. While it was on appeal, President Clinton agreed to an out-of-court settlement on this day in 1998. He paid $850,000 without admitting liability.
President Clinton is shown in this video image during his deposition Jan. 17, 1998 in the Paula Jones case,
Paula Corbin Jones (Paula Rosalee Corbin) turned 52 September 17.
On this day in 2001, the U.S. and Great Britain began airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to that state’s support of terrorism and Osama bin Laden. The act was the first military action taken in response to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.
President George W. Bush addresses the nation announcing the airstrikes.
US airstrikes destroy Taliban camp in Afghanistan.
A cross marked the fence where 21-year-old Matthew Shepard was robbed, beaten and left to die on this day in 1998. He was lured by two men pretending to also be gay. Shepard was taken to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days later from severe head injuries. The fence has since been torn down.
Matthew Wayne "Matt" Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998)
Shepard’s death inspired the play The Laramie Project, later turned into a television movie, countless songs, a foundation devoted to his memory along with a political lobbying effort that pressed for, and eventually obtained, a new federal hate crimes statute named after him.
From left: Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney were charged with the murder of Matthew Shepard and are both serving long prison terms.
John J Mellencamp (previously known as John Cougar Mellencamp) is 67 years old today.
Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is best known for his #1 hit song, "Jack & Diane." He has been nominated for more than ten Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
The first televised debate between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy took place in Chicago, IL. on this day in 1960.
The musical "West Side Story" opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on this day in 1957.
The Broadway production ran for 732 performances before going on tour. It was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical in 1957, but the Best Musical award went to Meredith Willson‘s The Music Man.
