Today in History

[katcarasella]

Yeh, it's almost 5:30 A.M. I need my History fix, where is it??

[goofywife]

Here ya go Kat!!

1974: Nixon impeachment hearings begin
The House Judiciary Committee began impeachment hearings against President Richard M. Nixon today for his involvement in the Watergate cover-up. The committee met in a closed session to review a briefcase of evidence relating to Nixon's role in the scandal.

The Oakland Tribune explained that "the committee would begin its hearings by considering materials relating to the question of President Nixon's responsibility for the Watergate break-in and its subsequent investigation by law enforcement agencies."

NOTE: Instead of facing an impeachment trial, Nixon announced his resignation on national television on August 8, 1974. His resignation did not make him immune to criminal prosecution, but his successor, Gerald Ford, issued a controversial pardon which protected him.

1970: War protesters rally near White House
About 100,000 war protesters gathered just south of the White House in Washington, D.C., to express their opposition to the Vietnam war. today. "College students angered by U.S. intervention in Cambodia and the killing of four Kent State University students by Ohio National Guardsmen made up the bulk of the thousands," reported The Post Standard on May 9, 1970.


1960: FDA approves birth control pill
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill for contraceptive use, called Envoid, today. The Syracuse Herald Journal described this new development 35 years later on May 10, 1995: "To imagine just how different American society was when the FDA allowed the birth control pill to be marketed in 1960, there was then no uniform contraceptive law. It was not until 1965 - when the pill's popularity was soaring - that the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the use of contraceptives by married couples as part of their constitutional right to privacy. That right was not extended to individuals until 1972."

1955: West Germany joins NATO
West Germany became the 15th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization today during a ceremony in Paris. "Chancellor Konrad Adenauer took his place at the NATO council table for the first time in a public session in the Palais de Chaillot," explained the Great Bend Daily Tribune on May 9, 1955. "For the 79-year-old West German statesman the ceremony marked a culminating stage in his long and difficult campaign to enroll his countrymen as an equal partner in the ranks of the free world's democracies."

1926: Byrd takes off for the North Pole
Commander Richard Byrd and his companion for the flight, Floyd Bennett, were honored as the first to fly an airplane to the North Pole. However, throughout the years there have been a number of doubts about their true accomplishment. In 1999, the Syracuse Herald Journal reported that archivists found a diary that Byrd kept on the flight, which cast doubt on the calculations that the men used to establish the location of the pole during their flyover.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by katcarasella

Yeh, it's almost 5:30 A.M. I need my History fix, where is it??

Hey Kat, I was up then too. See how patient I am Michelle...LOL

[goofywife]

I think Kat has had too much coffee, someone take the pot from her!

Originally Posted by Janet

Hey Kat, I was up then too. See how patient I am Michelle...LOL

[Janet]

She hasn't been on since this morning....

Kat!!! You get back here!!!

[goofywife]

1869: Spike links Transcontinental Railroad

A golden spike was driven in at Promontory, Utah, to link the First Transcontinental Railroad today. This joined the Union Pacific Railroad, running east to Omaha, to the Central Pacific, running west to California.

"The long-looked for moment has arrived," reported the The New York Herald on May 10, 1869. "The inhabitants of the Atlantic board and the dwellers on the Pacific slope are henceforth emphatically one people."

NOTE: The event was a turning point in American history, opening up the West and truly making the United States a coast–to–coast nation. Although the completion of the railroad was celebrated on May 10, it did not actually reach the Pacific Ocean until later in the year. On May 10, the rails stretched to Sacramento, where passengers were transferred to river steamers on their way to San Francisco.

2005: Grenade thrown at President Bush

A hand grenade was thrown at U.S. President George W. Bush today at a speech in Tbilisi, Georgia, but the explosive device did not detonate. “It remains unclear whether the grenade was aimed at Bush or Saakashvili [the President of Georgia] or was simply intended as a deadly disruption of what turned out to be an ebullient event,” informed The Post-Standard on May 19, 2005. NOTE: The grenade was thrown by dissident Vladimir Arutyunian, who was captured and sentenced to life imprisonment.

1960: Nuclear sub travels around the world

The Triton, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine, finished a 36,000-mile underwater trip around the world today. "The historic 84-day voyage traced much of the route of the first trip around the globe by the surface ships of Ferdinand Magellan. The Magellan expedition took more than three years in 1519-22," explained The Hammond Times on May 10, 1960.

1940: Churchill becomes prime minister

Winston Churchill was named British prime minister following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain today. "In a dramatic ceremony at Buckingham Palace last night, Churchill, whose mother was an American, realized a lifetime ambition when he solemnly kissed the king's hand signifying his acceptance of the premiership," reported The Kingston Daily Freeman on May 11, 1940.

1933: Nazis hold public book burnings

The Nazi regime burned piles of books and other documents considered to be "un-German products," today. On May 10, 1933, the Dunkirk Evening Observer explained, "Fifteen thousand students, carrying banners and torches will escort six trucks carrying 20,000 volumes of objectionable literature in an hour's parade through the city." NOTE: Books by American authors including Helen Keller, Upton Sinclair and others were among those destroyed.

[goofywife]

1970: Tornado tears through Lubbock

A violent tornado touched down in Lubbock, Texas, today, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds. The storm, which left a path of destruction about eight miles long, blew away entire blocks where houses and businesses once stood and heavily damaged the heart of the downtown area.

"The spring dawn over this west Texas city of 161,000 showed damage over 2,500 square blocks from the tornado and the main storm that spewed rain and hail the size of lemons," reported the San Mateo Times on May 12, 1970. "Wind gusts after the twister lifted were measured at 100 miles an hour. Damage was estimated into the millions."

NOTE: The twister was the worst to hit Texas since the Waco tornado, which struck on the same date in 1953, killing 114 people.

1985: Soccer fans battle fire in England

A fire at a soccer stadium in England killed more than 50 people today. "An assistant fire chief, Peter Kneale, said the blaze was fanned by a strong wind and was 'a very rapid spreading fire.' He said it started in the north end of the stand and enveloped the whole structure in smoke and flames in four minutes," informed The Daily Intelligencer on May 12, 1985. NOTE: It is thought that the fire started when a fan threw a cigarette butt. The cigarette evidently fell under the stadium, where 20 years of rubbish had accumulated, starting a flash fire that spread rapidly.

1953: Tornado devastates Waco, Texas

A F5 tornado struck Waco, Texas today, ending a legend previously believed by a number of residents that their city was the only spot in Texas safe from a twister. "Weary rescue workers freed an elderly gray-haired woman today from nearly 14 hours of nightmare trapped under tons of debris in tornado-hammered Waco where 48 were known dead and more than 250 injured," reported The Kerrville Times on May 12, 1953. NOTE: Before a tornado ripped through Waco, the city of San Angelo, Texas, was struck by a twister that resulted in 13 deaths and more than a hundred injuries. However, the Waco disaster turned out to be the deadliest tornado in Texas history since 1900. After rescue workers were able to dig through the massive piles of rubble, it was found that 114 died and nearly 600 were injured.

1934: Dust cloud covers one-third of nation

"The huge dust storm moving from the Midwest descended on New York and the surrounding territory today, darkening the sky and sifting into Manhattan's skyscrapers. Despite closed windows, the dust penetrated almost every building, laying a thin coat of fine dust over furniture and floors," The Daily Times-News explained on May 11, 1934. NOTE: The dust cloud was 1,500 miles long, 900 miles across and two miles high, covering almost one-third of the nation. Topsoil was lost and crops withered in the ground, causing farmers daily losses of $2 million.

1894: Pullman employees go on strike

Thousands of workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike this morning and demanded their wages be restored to previous levels after receiving over a 27 percent pay cut from last year's pay. Pullman refused strikers' demands, saying the company was running at a loss due to its decision to keep its men employed. NOTE: The strike was broken up by U.S. Marshals and 12,000 Army troops. 13 strikers were killed and 57 wounded.

[katcarasella]

1894: Pullman employees go on strike

Ahh I remember that well

[Forgivenmom5]

Good memory Kat!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by katcarasella

1894: Pullman employees go on strike

Ahh I remember that well

LOL, I actually do remember this. From my history class. I just finished the second US history (1877 to present) and this was on one of our tests. It was really a big deal because it led to some of the first steps to fair wages and working conditions. Pullman was a real jerk in my opinion...

[goofywife]

1949: Soviets lift blockade in Berlin

Traffic into Berlin was restored today when the Soviets lifted their 11-month-old blockade. In one of the major Cold War crises, the Soviet Union had blocked railroad and street access to West Berlin in hopes that the Allies would abandon the city. Instead, British and American planes flew in vital supplies like food and fuel to help West Berliners survive. Although the blockade was lifted today, air lifts did not stop until September 30. This was done as a precautionary measure to build up adequate supplies in case the Soviets issued another blockade.

"Thus-ended the dependence of 2,000,000 west Berliners on British and American planes for food and fuel," reported the Galveston Daily News on May 12, 1949. "But the air lift was going ahead at full schedule, and pilots said their instructions were to keep right on for at least 80 days."

NOTE: Despite uneasiness regarding whether the lift would last, there was a celebratory mood in Berlin. Schools closed for a holiday, and newspapers said that Berlin was in "a carnival mood." The blockade had began on June 24, 1948, and the Berlin Airlift supplied food for the city throughout the entire winter, dropping a total of 2,326,406 tons of food and supplies.

1970: Banks becomes member of 500 home run club

Ernie Banks hit the 500th home run of his National League career today, making him the ninth member of the 500-homer club. The milestone hit was made at Wrigley Field in Chicago with the Cubs playing the Atlanta Braves. "The 39-year-old Mr. Cub lined a Pat Jarvis 1-1 pitch into the leftfield bleachers in the second inning for his third homer of the season and joined eight others in the coveted 500-homer club, headed by Babe Ruth with 714," explained The Stars and Stripes on May 14, 1970. NOTE: After making the hit, Banks admitted to feeling pressure to reach his 500th.

1965: Soviet spacecraft crash-lands on moon

Russia failed to achieve the first "soft" lunar landing today when its spacecraft crashed on the moon's surface. On May 12, 1965, an article in The Sheboygan Press informed, "The observers said if Luna 5 landed successfully, the mission might encompass collecting samples of the Lunar surface and radioing back information, or scanning the moon with a camera and transmitting pictures." NOTE: Although a "soft" landing was not achieved, the Soviets still called the mission a success because they gathered information for future lunar landings.

1932: Lindbergh baby found dead

The infant son of Charles Lindbergh was found dead just miles away from the Lindbergh home today. "Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr., was kidnapped on the night of March 1 from the crib in which it was sleeping peacefully. The only clues that could be found on the following morning were a home-made ladder, footprints of a man and a woman, a blanket and an abandoned blue sedan," reported The Coshocton Tribune on May 12, 1932. NOTE: The body was discovered about six weeks after the family paid a ransom of $50,000 in exchange for what proved to be false information on the baby's location.

[katcarasella]

1949: Soviets lift blockade in Berlin.......
I was 3 months old

1970: Banks becomes member of 500 home run club
Jenny was 6 weeks old

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by katcarasella

1949: Soviets lift blockade in Berlin.......
I was 3 months old

1970: Banks becomes member of 500 home run club
Jenny was 6 weeks old

Aww, how sweet!

[goofywife]

1981: Pope John Paul II is shot

Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, was shot today in Vatican City. He was immediately taken to the Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic, considered Rome's most modern hospital.

"Vatican radio said the pontiff had been driven through St. Peter's Square in his jeep and was about to leave the jeep to start a general audience when shots were heard at about 5:25 p.m.," reported the Syracuse Herald-Journal on May 13, 1981. “The pontiff collapsed into the arms of his aides as the jeep returned inside the Vatican at high speed, the radio said.”

NOTE: The Pope made a full recovery. Police in the square apprehended Turkish citizen Mehmet Ali Agca after he shot the pontiff. Agca was sentenced to life in prison, but was pardoned in 2000 at the request of the Pope.

1985: MOVE headquarters bombed

Philadelphia police dropped a bomb made from C-4 onto the headquarters of MOVE, a radical African-American neo-Luddite group. “The concussion-like bomb, dropped Monday from a police helicopter, smashed through a crude wood-and-steel battlement atop the house and caved in the roof,” informed the Daily News on May 14, 1985. “A fire, fanned by hot winds, spread to as many as 60 surrounding structures, and gunfire from within the building kept firefighters from dousing the swirling flames for about an hour.” NOTE: The bomb ultimately destroyed more than 50 homes and killed eleven people, including four children.

1980: Tornado hits Kalamazoo, Michigan

A tornado devastated Kalamazoo, Michigan, today, killing five people and causing heavy damage in the downtown area. "About 85 people were treated for injuries at the city's two major hospitals. Two were reported critically injured. Most of the injured were cut by flying glass or bruised by falling debris in the rush-hour storms," explained The Daily Intelligencer on May 14, 1980. NOTE: The tornado that ripped through downtown Kalamazoo was part of a severe weather system that produced another tornado which also hit areas in Kalamazoo County.

1958: Nixon's car is attacked by mob

While traveling in Venezuela, Vice President Richard M. Nixon's car was attacked by a mob as he rode from the airport. The attackers hurled rocks, smashed the car's windows and shouted, "Go Home Yankee Dog." "The Vice President, winding up his tour of South America, arrived amid rumors that he was to be the victim of an assassination attempt. Venezuelan authorities in advance of his arrival had discounted these reports and given assurances that Nixon would be well guarded," reported the Oakland Tribune on May 13, 1958. "The violence of the demonstrations against the Vice President obviously surprised officials."

1940: Wilhelmina takes refuge in England

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands safely arrived in England today where she took refuge from Nazi invaders. Crown Princess Juliana, her husband, Prince Bernhard, and their children we also welcomed by King George's family. "A sailor of the British ship which brought the royal family here said, 'for some time it was murder, but we got clear and had a steady journey,'" informed the Dunkirk Evening Observer on May 14, 1940. NOTE: According to newspaper reports from 1940, the Germans tried to kill the royal family as they fled for Great Britain.

[goofywife]

1998: Seinfeld finale airs

The final episode of the top-rated comedy Seinfeld aired tonight on NBC. To commemorate the sitcom's last episode, a number of the fans threw parties, while others watched at home.

"The 75-minute episode had a 41.3 rating and 58 share, Nielsen Media Research said Friday. A rating point represents 980,000 households. The share means that 58 percent of in-use televisions were tuned to 'Seinfeld,'" reported The Chronicle Telegram on May 16, 1998.

NOTE: A NBC spokesperson said they were "thrilled" by the ratings, but the final Seinfeld episode still fell below the finales for Cheers and M-A-S-H. When Cheers went off the air in 1993, its finale had a 45.9 rating and 72 share. In 1983 when the final M-A-S-H aired, it is estimated that 105 million people watched. Today, M-A-S-H still holds the all-time record for the most-watched finale with a 60.2 rating and 77 share.

1998: Frank Sinatra dies at 82

Frank Sinatra, one of the most influential singers in U.S. history, died today of a heart attack at the age of 82. "The blunt, often aggressive son of Italian immigrants communicated across generational lines with love songs filled with a rare mix of vulnerability and verve – from 'Strangers in the Night' to 'One for My Baby,'" explained The Chronicle Telegram on May 15, 1998.

1973: Skylab is sent into space

Skylab, the first U.S. space station, was sent into space today to serve as a "cabin in the sky" for astronauts. "No more cramped quarters like the Mercury, Gemini or Apollo capsules. Skylab is as large as a three-bedroom house and has 60 times more volume than Apollo," informed The Post Crescent on May 14, 1973. While the first three-man crew was to enter space on May 15 to link up with the space station, the flight was postponed when temperatures of 100 degrees were recorded inside the lab. NOTE: Two of the six solar panels also failed to extend properly, which reduced the Skylab's power supply.

1963: Kuwait is admitted to the United Nations

The oil-rich country of Kuwait became the 111th member of the United Nations today. "The tiny Persian Gulf state was welcomed at a brief session in which the assembly, called to devise a formula for financing its expensive peace-keeping operations, referred the problem to its budgetary and administrative committee," reported the Winnipeg Free Press on May 15, 1963.

1948: Israel is proclaimed

"The State of Israel, first Hebrew nation in 2000 years, was born today in a Jewish Declaration of Independence asserting the 'historic right' of the Jews of Palestine to reconstitute their national home," explained the Oakland Tribune today in 1948. NOTE: The proclamation was to become effective after midnight, once Great Britain no longer ruled the land.