June 9th, 1954:

On Capitol Hill, U.S. Army Counsel Joseph Welch confronts Senator Joseph McCarthy over his tactics in fighting communist subversion during the Cold War.

It's the beginning of the end of McCarthy's political influence. Months later, the Senate takes the rare step of condemning him over his methods.

1870:

Charles Dickens, author of novels such as A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities, dies in Gad's Hill, England at age 58.

1980:

Comedian Richard Pryor suffers almost fatal burns when a mixture of "free-base" cocaine explodes at his home in San Fernando Valley, California.

1973:

Secretariat wins the Belmont Stakes in New York, becoming the first to clinch horse racing's Triple Crown in 25 years.

And, 1915:

Les Paul, the electric guitar pioneer, is born in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Today in History, June 9th,_________, The Associated Press.