On this day, Aug. 7 …

2000: Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore selects Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman as his running mate; Lieberman becomes the first person of Jewish descent on a major party's presidential ticket

Also on this day:

1782: Gen. George Washington creates the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in enlisted men and noncommissioned officers.

Gen. George Washington creates the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in enlisted men and noncommissioned officers. 1789: The U.S. Department of War is established by Congress.

The U.S. Department of War is established by Congress. 1959: The United States launches the Explorer 6 satellite, which sent back images of Earth.

The United States launches the Explorer 6 satellite, which sent back images of Earth. 1961: Yale psychology professor Stanley Milgram began conducting his controversial human behavior experiments concerning obedience toward authority figures.

Yale psychology professor Stanley Milgram began conducting his controversial human behavior experiments concerning obedience toward authority figures. 1964: Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers in dealing with reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces.

1971: The Apollo 15 moon mission ends successfully as its command module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.