April 8: This Day in History

Posted on April 08, 2016, 8:59 am
46 secs

1513

Ponce de León claimed Florida for Spain.

1913

The 17th Amendment was ratified, requiring the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote rather than by the state legislators.

1935

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was approved by Congress to help alleviate joblessness during the Great Depression.

1946

The League of Nations assembled for the last time.

1973

Artist Pablo Picasso died.

1974

Henry “Hank” Aaron hit the 715th home run of his career, breaking Babe Ruth’s record.

1986

Actor Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, California.

1992

Tennis ace Arthur Ashe announced that he had AIDS.