On This Day: Monday June 20, 2005 This is the 171st day of the year, with 194 days remaining in 2005. Fact of the Day: Ed Sullivan The "Ed Sullivan Show" premiered in 1948 - but was first called "Toast of the Town" (till 1955). It became the longest-running variety show (through 1971) and showcased all types of acts. Thousands of performers made their television debut on the show, among them Fred Astaire, Irving Berlin, Victor Borge, Walt Disney, Hedy Lamarr, and Jane Powell. The largest audiences were attracted by the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Holidays Feast day of Edward the Martyr, St Alban, St Govan, St John of Matera, St Silverius, pope, St Bain, and St Adalbert of Magdeburg. Argentina: Flag Day. Events 840 - Vikings sailed up the Seine in France as far as Rouen, for the first time. 1756 - In India, over 140 British subjects were imprisoned in a cell ('the Black Hole of Calcutta'); only 23 survived. 1782 - Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States. 1793 - Eli Whitney applied for a cotton gin patent. 1837 - Victoria ascended the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV. 1863 - West Virginia became the 35th state. 1893 - A jury in New Bedford, MA, found Lizzie Borden innocent of the ax murders of her father and stepmother. 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the US Charleston captured the Spanish-ruled island of Guam. 1900 - Chinese nationalists launch the so-called Boxer Rebellion in Peking. 1948 - The variety series 'Toast of the Town,' hosted by Ed Sullivan, debuted on TV; it became 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1955. 1955 - The AFL and CIO agree to combine names for a merged group. 1963 - The United States and the Soviet Union agreed to establish a hot line between Washington and Moscow. 1967 - Boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted. The conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court. 1977 - Crude oil from the nation's largest oil field began flowing through the trans-Alaska pipeline to the port of Valdez, Alaska. 1993 - The Chicago Bulls became the first NBA team in 27 seasons to win three successive championships. 1997 - The tobacco industry agreed to a massive settlement in exchange for major relief from mounting lawsuits and legal bills. Births 1899 - Jean Moulin, French World War II Resistance hero. 1905 - Lillian Hellman, American playwright and screenwriter. 1909 - Errol Flynn, actor. 1924 - Audie Murphy, actor.