On this day

In 1913, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies) allegedly fomented a riot in Wheatland, California. The rioters comprised local farm workers whose labor-burden was great, who were underpaid and living in inadequate conditions. The riot motivated California law-makers to pass legislation meant to regulate agricultural labor conditions. The incident is remembered as the Wheatland Hop Riot.

In 1914, Germany declared war against France.

In 1924, the Polish novelist Joseph Conrad died in Bishopsbourne, England.

In 1929, the sociologist and economist Thorstein Veblen died in Palo Alto, California.

In 1936, the African-American track star Jesse Owens won the 100-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics.

In 1948, Whittaker Chambers accused Alger Hiss of being a Communist agent.

In 1960, Niger became independent of France.

In 1977, the United States Senate began its hearings on the illegal Central Intelligence Agency program MKULTRA.