50 Years Ago

August 11, 1954 Zhou Enlai, China’s foreign minister, announces his country’s intention to attack Taiwan. On August 17 President Dwight D. Eisenhower says that any such invasion “would have to run over the Seventh Fleet.”

September 8, 1954 In Manila the United States and seven other countries form the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). America promises to defend the region in case of communist aggression.

September 30, 1954 The USS Nautilus , the world’s first nuclearpowered submarine, is dedicated at Groton, Connecticut.

175 Years Ago

August 8, 1829 America’s first steam locomotive, the Stourbridge Lion , makes its initial run near Honesdale, Pennsylvania, at an average speed of 10 miles per hour.

August 25, 1829 With American settlers-stream ing into Texas, President Andrew Jackson makes an offer to buy the territory from Mexico. The government of Mexico rejects the proposal.

200 Years Ago

August 13, 1804 Gen. William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory and a future President, purchases the land between the Wabash and Ohio Rivers from the Delaware Indians on behalf of the United States.

September 25, 1804 The Twelfth Amendment, under which electors will cast separate votes for President and Vice President, is ratified.

225 Years Ago

August 29, 1779 At Newtown (now Elmira), New York, Continental troops led by John Sullivan and James Clinton defeat a combined force of Loyalists and Indians. Sullivan then destroys 40 Seneca and Cayuga villages.

September 23, 1779 Off the east coast of England, John Paul Jones loses his flagship, the Bonhomme Richard , to enemy fire but captures the British frigate HMS Serapis . In the same engagement, the French capture HMS Countess of Scarborough .