Battle of Bull Run, first major battle of the Civil War

Today is July 21. On this date in:

1825

Work began at Middletown, Ohio, on what would become known as the Miami and Erie Canal.

1861

During the Civil War, the first Battle of Bull Run was fought at Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory. This was the first major battle of the war.

1865

“Wild Bill” Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in Springfield, Missouri, in what in what is regarded first quick-draw gunfight of the Old West.

More:Our history: Arts patron made ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok a legend

1925

The so-called “Monkey Trial” ended in Dayton, Tennessee, with John T. Scopes found guilty of violating state law for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. (The conviction was later overturned on a technicality.)

1930

President Herbert Hoover signed an executive order establishing the Veterans Administration (later the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

1944

American forces landed on Guam during World War II, capturing it from the Japanese some three weeks later.