Today In History

By The Associated Press

On Feb. 15, 1965, singer Nat King Cole, who despite facing extreme racism throughout his short career sold more than 50 million records that included massive hits such as “Mona Lisa” and “Route 66,” died in Santa Monica, California. He was 45.

On this date: In 1764, the site of present-day St. Louis was established by Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau.

In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court.

In 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine mysteriously blew up in Havana Harbor, killing more than 260 crew members and bringing the United States closer to war with Spain.

In 1933…

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