2010: Anderson Township Little League begins their league tournament. Underdog "White Sox" beat the pants off of the Indians, advancing to the next game. Annabelle's son, Slugger, has the game of his life, hitting 2 home runs and pitching a no-hitter. (hey- maybe if I pre-write history, it will come true.)
1976: The Teton Dam bursts in Idaho. 80 billion gallons of water rushed down the valley at 15 miles per hour, killing 11 people, 18,000 head of livestock, and destroyed hundreds of homes. Investigations concluded that the earthen dam collapsed due to design flaws, not construction errors.
1968: Sirhan Sirhan shoots Bobby Kennedy, who died the next day. Just after midnight on June 4, Bobby was in the Royal Suite of the Ambassador Hotel in LA watching primary returns come in. Just after midnight, he walked through a side door into the Colonial Room, where the media was waiting to hear his acceptance speech. It was then that the words, "Kennedy, you son of a bitch!" were heard, followed by eight shots from a .22 caliber pistol. All eight shots found a target. Kennedy was shot once in the head and twice through the armpit. Five others were also wounded, including his speechwriter, Paul Schrade.
1927: Johnny Weissmuller set a new world record in the 100 yard freestyle swim at the University of Michigan. His 51 second record stood for 17 years when it was broken by Alan Ford in 1944. The current record is held by Alain Bernard of France, set on March 22, 2008, at 47.50 seconds.
Showing posts with label Today in history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Today in history. Show all posts
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Today in history...
1942: The Battle of Midway begins. Japanese Combined Fleet commander, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, had planned a "surprise" attack on the American base on Midway, but the US was fully aware of his plans. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Pacific Fleet commander, was more than ready with an ambush of his own. The battle raged from the 4th through the 6th, during which both sides took heavy losses. America lost 307 men, an aircraft carrier (the Yorktown), a destroyer and 150 aircraft. Japan, on the other hand, lost over 2,000 men, FOUR aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and about 250 planes. Yeah, I think we won.
1912: Massachusetts passes America's first minimum wage law. It took the federal government 26 years to catch up with Massachusetts: President Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, establishing a mandatory federal minimum wage of $0.25 per hour. Today's minimum wage limit is $7.25 per hour.
1800: The White House was completed, and President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, move in. It survived two major fires- one in 1814 (thanks to the British Canadian Army) and another in 1929. The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, and is currently occupied by the least qualified man in US history. OK..that last part is my personal opinion, but I believe history will prove me correct over time!
1912: Massachusetts passes America's first minimum wage law. It took the federal government 26 years to catch up with Massachusetts: President Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, establishing a mandatory federal minimum wage of $0.25 per hour. Today's minimum wage limit is $7.25 per hour.
1800: The White House was completed, and President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, move in. It survived two major fires- one in 1814 (thanks to the British Canadian Army) and another in 1929. The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, and is currently occupied by the least qualified man in US history. OK..that last part is my personal opinion, but I believe history will prove me correct over time!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Today in history...
1979: Pemex's Ixtoc I oil rig blows, spilling an estimated 3 million barrels (126 million gallons) of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. It was the worst oil spill in history... until it was surpassed by Saddam Hussein's decision to open the valves at the Sea Island oil terminal plus a few tankers in an attempt to keep US Marines from landing and kicking his azz out of Kuwait and back to Iraq. An estimated 11 million barrels (462 million gallons) were spilled into the Persian Gulf, covering approximately 4,200 square miles of ocean. So how do those spills compare to the current BP oil spill in the gulf? We've surpassed Ixtoc and could very well exceed Hussein by the time it's all said and done.
1969: Australian aircraft carrier "Melbourne" slices U.S. destroyer "Frank E. Evans" in half, killing 74, during joint military exercises off the coast of Manila. This wasn't the first time the Melbourne cut a ship in half: the first time was in 1964, when she collided with the destroyer, Voyager, killing 82 Australian Navy sailors.
1959: First class of the US Air Force Academy received their diplomas. The 306 cadets chose the falcon as their school mascot, and wrote the Cadet Code: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. The Class of 2010 boasts 1,001 graduates, all of whom uphold the USAF core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do!
1880: Alexander Graham Bell sent the first wireless telephone message from the roof of the Franklin School in Washington, DC. The device allowed the transmission of sound on a beam of light, making it the predecessor of modern fiber optic cable technology.
1969: Australian aircraft carrier "Melbourne" slices U.S. destroyer "Frank E. Evans" in half, killing 74, during joint military exercises off the coast of Manila. This wasn't the first time the Melbourne cut a ship in half: the first time was in 1964, when she collided with the destroyer, Voyager, killing 82 Australian Navy sailors.
1959: First class of the US Air Force Academy received their diplomas. The 306 cadets chose the falcon as their school mascot, and wrote the Cadet Code: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. The Class of 2010 boasts 1,001 graduates, all of whom uphold the USAF core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do!
1880: Alexander Graham Bell sent the first wireless telephone message from the roof of the Franklin School in Washington, DC. The device allowed the transmission of sound on a beam of light, making it the predecessor of modern fiber optic cable technology.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Today in history....
1997: Timothy McVeigh was found guilty of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing which killed 168 men, women and children. He was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. Exactly 3 months later, Islamic asshats took control of four planes, killing thousands as they crashed them into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon.. and a field in Pennsylvania.
1989: Playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Eric Davis hit for the cycle against the San Diego Padres, leading the Reds to a 9-4 win. The last Reds player to accomplish this was Frank Robinson, in 1959.
1983: A fire onboard Air Canada flight 797 kills 23 at the Cincinnati International Airport. The fire started in the toilet, spread between the outer and inner skins of the airplane, destroying electrical cables and causing the cockpit to lose all instrument panels. Amazingly, the pilots landed the plane and evacuations began. However, a mere 90 seconds after the doors opened, a flashover occurred, killing those still on board. 18 passengers and 5 crew members survived. As a result of the investigation that followed, we now have smoke detectors in airplane lavatories and "runway" lights, showing the way to the exits.
1942: Boston Red Sox star, Ted Williams, enlists in the US Navy. He earned his wings and commission as a pilot in the US Marine Corps on May 2, 1944. He never saw combat action during WWII, and was released from active duty in January, 1946. On May 1, 1952, he was recalled for the Korean War. He flew 39 combat missions (he served as John Glenn's wingman for the last half of those missions) before his flight status was pulled in 1953 due to an inner ear infection that made him ineligible to return to flight.
1989: Playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Eric Davis hit for the cycle against the San Diego Padres, leading the Reds to a 9-4 win. The last Reds player to accomplish this was Frank Robinson, in 1959.
1983: A fire onboard Air Canada flight 797 kills 23 at the Cincinnati International Airport. The fire started in the toilet, spread between the outer and inner skins of the airplane, destroying electrical cables and causing the cockpit to lose all instrument panels. Amazingly, the pilots landed the plane and evacuations began. However, a mere 90 seconds after the doors opened, a flashover occurred, killing those still on board. 18 passengers and 5 crew members survived. As a result of the investigation that followed, we now have smoke detectors in airplane lavatories and "runway" lights, showing the way to the exits.
1942: Boston Red Sox star, Ted Williams, enlists in the US Navy. He earned his wings and commission as a pilot in the US Marine Corps on May 2, 1944. He never saw combat action during WWII, and was released from active duty in January, 1946. On May 1, 1952, he was recalled for the Korean War. He flew 39 combat missions (he served as John Glenn's wingman for the last half of those missions) before his flight status was pulled in 1953 due to an inner ear infection that made him ineligible to return to flight.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Today in history....
On this day in:
2010: We celebrate Memorial Day. Today is the day that we honor the sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. It is not a "happy" holiday, like Independence Day, Christmas, or Easter. It is a day of remembrance; treat it as such, and not just another great sale at Kohl's or an excuse to get drunk at a picnic. Do your best to attend a Memorial Day ceremony or visit the graves of our veterans, and wear your red poppy.
1958: US government performs an atmospheric nuclear test near the Bikiki Atoll in the . Code name "Sycamore", this 92 kiloton bomb test was a part of Operation Hardtack 1. As a result of the many atmospheric nuclear bomb tests performed at Bikini, the island was considered unihabitable until 1997. However, further tests revealed that the ground was still too contaminated to safely grow food.
1868: First Memorial Day parade held in Ironton, Ohio. General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, declared May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day, a day to honor the Civil War dead. Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day in 1967 and now honors the fallen for all of our wars, not just the Civil War. Ironton's 142-year- old tradition is recognized as the oldest continuously held Memorial Day parade in the United States.
1864: General Sheridan's cavalry seized Cold Harbor, VA, allowing Grant to push between General Lee and the Confederate capital of Richmond. It took another year before the Federals actually took Richmond, effectively ending the war on April 9, 1865.
2010: We celebrate Memorial Day. Today is the day that we honor the sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. It is not a "happy" holiday, like Independence Day, Christmas, or Easter. It is a day of remembrance; treat it as such, and not just another great sale at Kohl's or an excuse to get drunk at a picnic. Do your best to attend a Memorial Day ceremony or visit the graves of our veterans, and wear your red poppy.
1958: US government performs an atmospheric nuclear test near the Bikiki Atoll in the . Code name "Sycamore", this 92 kiloton bomb test was a part of Operation Hardtack 1. As a result of the many atmospheric nuclear bomb tests performed at Bikini, the island was considered unihabitable until 1997. However, further tests revealed that the ground was still too contaminated to safely grow food.
1868: First Memorial Day parade held in Ironton, Ohio. General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, declared May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day, a day to honor the Civil War dead. Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day in 1967 and now honors the fallen for all of our wars, not just the Civil War. Ironton's 142-year- old tradition is recognized as the oldest continuously held Memorial Day parade in the United States.
1864: General Sheridan's cavalry seized Cold Harbor, VA, allowing Grant to push between General Lee and the Confederate capital of Richmond. It took another year before the Federals actually took Richmond, effectively ending the war on April 9, 1865.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Today in history....
On this day in:
2002: 8 1/2 months after terrorist flew two airplanes into the Twin Towers, clean up and recovery efforts officially came to a halt. The ceremony at Ground Zero featured no speeches. It began with the single ring of a fire bell at 10:29AM, marking the time the north tower fell on 9/11. The thousands in attendence watched in silent tears as an honor guard of firefighters, police, and other agencies walked up the ramp carrying a stretcher bearing only an American flag, reminding us of the same ceremony performed any time remains had been found during the previous 8 months.
1958: Unidentified soldiers killed in WWII and Korea were buried at Arlington next to the two bronze coffins at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of WWI. It remainsone of the most solemn places in the world to honor those who have given their lives in the course of war, for "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God."
1922: Robert Todd Lincoln was present at the dedication of the memorial to his father, President Lincoln. Robert was the eldest of the four Lincoln boys, and the only surviving at the time of the dedication. He died 4 years later and is buried at Arlington, within sight of his father's memorial.
1911: The running of the first Indianapolis 500. In front of 18,000 fans, Johnny Aitken took the lead, but it was not to hold up: Ray Harroun eventually won, with an average speed of a mind-boggling 74 MPH. zoooom
1431: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Normandy, France, for heresey. She was 19 years old. The worst charge? Believing that holy spirits directed her actions more than the church itself. She helped give France the upper hand in the 100 Years War, and is regarded as one of the greatest heroes of French history. Even the church eventually saw the err of their ways, canonizing her on May 16, 1920.
2002: 8 1/2 months after terrorist flew two airplanes into the Twin Towers, clean up and recovery efforts officially came to a halt. The ceremony at Ground Zero featured no speeches. It began with the single ring of a fire bell at 10:29AM, marking the time the north tower fell on 9/11. The thousands in attendence watched in silent tears as an honor guard of firefighters, police, and other agencies walked up the ramp carrying a stretcher bearing only an American flag, reminding us of the same ceremony performed any time remains had been found during the previous 8 months.
1958: Unidentified soldiers killed in WWII and Korea were buried at Arlington next to the two bronze coffins at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of WWI. It remainsone of the most solemn places in the world to honor those who have given their lives in the course of war, for "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God."
1922: Robert Todd Lincoln was present at the dedication of the memorial to his father, President Lincoln. Robert was the eldest of the four Lincoln boys, and the only surviving at the time of the dedication. He died 4 years later and is buried at Arlington, within sight of his father's memorial.
1911: The running of the first Indianapolis 500. In front of 18,000 fans, Johnny Aitken took the lead, but it was not to hold up: Ray Harroun eventually won, with an average speed of a mind-boggling 74 MPH. zoooom
1431: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Normandy, France, for heresey. She was 19 years old. The worst charge? Believing that holy spirits directed her actions more than the church itself. She helped give France the upper hand in the 100 Years War, and is regarded as one of the greatest heroes of French history. Even the church eventually saw the err of their ways, canonizing her on May 16, 1920.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Today In History...
On this day in:
1996: The spaceshuttle Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center, after a successful mission at Space Lab. Endeavour is named after the British ship, HMS Endeavour, which carried Captain James Cook on voyages to New Zealand and Australia in the mid 1700's.
1977: I was 9 years old when Janet Guthrie became the first female to race in the Indy 500. AJ Foyt went on the snag the checkered flag a record 4th time. It's a record that still stands today- no one has won more than 4, although Al Unser, Sr. and Rick Mears have matched it.
1976: Phil Niekro hits a home run off of his brother, Joe. Phil's homer is the only one hit off of Joe in his 22-year professional career.
1953: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norkay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. A week ago today, May 22, 2010, 15-year-old Jordan Romero became the youngest to ever conquer the mountain.
And last but not least....
1849: President Lincoln is credited with one of the most famous quotes in history:
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
1996: The spaceshuttle Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center, after a successful mission at Space Lab. Endeavour is named after the British ship, HMS Endeavour, which carried Captain James Cook on voyages to New Zealand and Australia in the mid 1700's.
1977: I was 9 years old when Janet Guthrie became the first female to race in the Indy 500. AJ Foyt went on the snag the checkered flag a record 4th time. It's a record that still stands today- no one has won more than 4, although Al Unser, Sr. and Rick Mears have matched it.
1976: Phil Niekro hits a home run off of his brother, Joe. Phil's homer is the only one hit off of Joe in his 22-year professional career.
1953: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norkay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. A week ago today, May 22, 2010, 15-year-old Jordan Romero became the youngest to ever conquer the mountain.
And last but not least....
1849: President Lincoln is credited with one of the most famous quotes in history:
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
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