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1785 - The dollar (and decimal coinage) is unanimously chosen by the Continental Congress as the monetary unit for the United States. the US is the first nation to adopt decimal money system.

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1854 - First US Republican state convention, in Ripon, Wisconsin.

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1892 - Striking steelworkers in Homestead, Pennsylvania, USA fire on scabs, killing 7.

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1924 - In Johnstown, Colorado, USA a meteorite falls harmlessly to the ground.

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1936 - 114 degrees F (46 degrees C), Moorhead, Minnesota (state record hot).

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1936 - 121 degrees F (49 degrees C), Steele, North Dakota (state record hot).

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1944 - In Hartford, Connecticut, USA, the world's largest circus tent catches fire at Ringling Brother's Barnum and Bailey Circus, killing 167 people and injuring 682.

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1945 - US President Harry S. Truman issues an executive order establishing the Medal of Freedom.

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1960 - Dr Barbara Moore completes a 3,207-mile walk from Los Angeles to New York City.

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1971 - White House Plumbers unit formed to plug news leaks.

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