■ In 1649, the Maryland Toleration Act, providing for freedom of worship for all Christians, was passed by the Maryland assembly.
■ In 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first vice president of the United States.
■ In 1816, Charlotte Bronte, author of “Jane Eyre,” was born in Thornton, England.
■ In 1836, an army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto, assuring Texas independence.
■ In 1926, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was born in Mayfair, London; she was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and the Queen Mother. Christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, the princess became monarch upon the death of her father in 1952, beginning a 64-year-old reign surpassing that of Queen Victoria.
■ In 1930, fire broke out inside the overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, killing 332 inmates.
■ In 1940, the quiz show that asked the “$64 question,” ”Take It or Leave It,” premiered on CBS Radio.
■ In 1976, clinical trials of the swine flu vaccine began in Washington, D.C.
Today’s birthdays: Actress-comedian-writer Elaine May is 84. Actor Charles Grodin is 81. Actor Reni Santoni is 78. Anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean is 77. Singer-musician Iggy Pop is 69. Actress Patti LuPone is 67. Actor Tony Danza is 65. Actor James Morrison is 62. Actress Andie MacDowell is 58. Comedian Nicole Sullivan is 46. Football player-turned-actor Brian White is 43. Olympic gold medal pairs figure skater Jamie Sale is 39. Actor James McAvoy is 37. NFL quarterback Tony Romois 36. Actor Christoph Sanders is 28. Rock singer Sydney Sierota (Echosmith) is 19.
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