1914The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, or ASCAP, is founded. As a way to protect members’ copyrights, the nonprofit monitors public performances music and compensates the artists with royalties. ASCAP collects licensing fees from users of music created by ASCAP members and distributes them back to its members as royalties.1991Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court after a contentious confirmation process before the Senate. President George H. W. Bush nominated Thomas …