On this day in...

On this day in...
1735 – Freedom of the press: New York Weekly Journal writer John Peter Zenger is acquitted of seditious libel against the royal governor of New York, on the basis that what he had published was true.
1861 – American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US $800; rescinded in 1872).
1882 – The Standard Oil of New Jersey is established.
1914 – In Cleveland, Ohio, the first electric traffic light is installed.
1957 – American Bandstand, a show dedicated to the teenage "baby-boomers" by playing the songs and showing popular dances of the time, debuts on the ABC television network.
1962 – Nelson Mandela is jailed. He would not be released until 1990.

Births
1930 – Neil Armstrong, American astronaut
1937 – Herb Brooks, American ice hockey coach (d. 2003)
1946 – Loni Anderson, American actress
1962 – Patrick Ewing, American basketball player
1968 – Terri Clark, Canadian country singer
1968 – Funkmaster Flex, American hip hop DJ
1968 – John Olerud, American baseball player
1977 – Mark Mulder, American baseball player

I'm not a big hockey fan. In fact I hate it. But for lack of a better visual I guess I can go with Herb Brooks and the 1980 U.S. hockey team for the spotlight birthday today. That should earn me some patriotism points.