[goofywife]

1938: Fire destroys Terminal Hotel
The Terminal Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, caught fire today, in a disaster that killed more than 25 people. Within 30 minutes, the blaze had engulfed the five-story building, giving many guests little chance to escape.

"The fire was described by Fire Chief O.J. Parker as 'the deadliest in the history of Atlanta.' Collapse of the roof, plunging debris through charred floors to the basement, cut off hope of survival for any who were trapped. Only the walls were left standing," reported the Charleston Daily Mail on May 16, 1938. "Hotel attaches said 'at least fifty' were registered when the flames broke out with an explosion in the basement kitchen shortly after 3 a.m. (EST)."

NOTE: Fourteen men who were originally believed to have perished in the fire managed to escape by sliding down a rope which was hanging from a painter's scaffold.

1991: Queen addresses U.S. Congress
Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the United States Congress today. "'I do hope you can see me today from where you are,' said the diminutive queen, making gentle reference to a protocol gaffe at the White House earlier in the visit when her face was hidden by microphones and one of her trademark hats. The House chamber rocked with laughter and applause, and the members of Congress and diplomats rose to a standing ovation," explained the Daily Herald on May 17, 1991.

1975: First woman climbs Mt. Everest
Japanese mountain climber Junko Tabei reached the summit of Mount Everest today, becoming the first woman to climb the world's highest peak. "Mrs. Junko Tabei, packing a limited stock of gear, braved bad weather to reach the top of 29,028-foot Mt. Everest at noon Friday to end a 22-year male domain," informed The Coshocton Tribune on May 18, 1975. "The achievement was made more remarkable by the fact that she and her party was hit by an avalanche May 4 at their second high altitude camp pitched at 21,000 feet." NOTE: Tabei's climb made her the 36th person to reach the summit.

1960: Summit in Paris collapses
At a world summit in Paris today, Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev came to verbal blows with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower over American U-2 spy plane flights over the Soviet Union. Khrushchev demanded the flights stop and withdrew his invitation for Eisenhower to visit the Soviet Union the following month. "The summit conference collapsed in its first session today, with the Soviet Union and the United States accusing each other of torpedoing the historic session called in an effort to ease world tensions," reported The Daily Times-News on May 16, 1960. "Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev bitterly attacking U.S. policy, called for a six-month delay and said a later U.S. administration may understand the situation if the present administration can't."

1868: President Johnson is acquitted
U.S. President Andrew Johnson was acquitted today during his impeachment trial. Thirty-five senators voted "guilty" and 19 voted "not guilty," just one vote shy of the necessary two-thirds required to remove Johnson from office. "The President might go forth nominally acquitted, but he would go forth nevertheless a blasted public functionary," informed The Davenport Daily Gazette on May 18, 1868. NOTE: Three months earlier, the House had passed a resolution to impeach Johnson for his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. Members of Congress alleged that the president had violated the act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office.