July 26, 1935
Labor activist Bill Bailey and some fellow merchant seamen tore down the swastika-emblazoned flag that flew from the bow of the German ship Bremen docked in Manhattan and threw it into the Hudson river, watched by a cheering crowd of 5,000. In response to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels’ protest, New York mayor La Guardia sent ten Jewish detectives to the German consulate. They were turned away by the Nazis.
July 26, 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. It prohibited discrimination based on disability in employment, in public accommodation, in transportation services, and in all activities of state and local governments. The law did not go into effect until January 26, 1992.
