" We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans. We shall continue to use it until we completely destroy Japan's power to make war."1965In Washington, a victory for America’s Civil Rights Movement, as President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act. The law lifts barriers in segregated states of the South aimed at preventing blacks from exercising their right to vote.

1978Pope Paul VI dies in Castel Gandolfo, Italy at age 80. His successor Pope John Paul I dies after 33 days as pontiff. He is followed by Pope John Paul II.

1881Alexander Fleming, the scientist behind the discovery of the antibiotic agent, penicillin, is born in Lochfield, Scotland.

And 2004“She's a super freak, super freak. She's super-freaky, yow”.

Funk singer Rick James dies of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles. He was 56 years old.

Today in History, August 6th. Sandy Kozel, the Associated Press.