Post by MacBeth on Aug 10, 2009 5:50:49 GMT -5
In 1628, to assist in the war with Poland, Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus builds a magnificent warship, the Vasa, with 64 bronze cannon on two tiers. But on its maiden voyage, the lower gunports are accidentally left open, and the ship immediately sinks to the bottom of Stockholm harbor. The ship remains submerged until it is raised in 1961 to become a tourist attraction.
In 1792, during the French Revolution, mobs in Paris attacked the Tuileries Palace, where King Louis XVI resided. (The king was later arrested, put on trial for treason, and executed the following January.)
In 1809, Ecuador struck its initial blow for independence from Spain. (Ecuador achieved independence in 1822.)
In 1846, President James K. Polk signed a measure establishing the Smithsonian Institution, named after English scientist James Smithson, whose bequest of half a million dollars had made it possible.
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell 1847-1922 makes the world's first long-distance call from Brantford to the Bell homestead in Paris, Ontario; using a 13 km long line strung from Brantford, Ontario.
In 1885, America's first commercially operated electric streetcar began operation in Baltimore.
In 1911, the House of Lords in Great Britain gives up its veto power, making the House of Commons the more powerful House.
In 1921, at the age of 39, Franklin D. Roosevelt notices early signs of poliomyelitis at his summer home in New Brunswick, Canada. The disease will prevent him from ever walking unaided again.
In 1949, the National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defense.
In 1969, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson's cult, one day after actress Sharon Tate and four other people were slain.
In 1977, David Berkowitz, the suspect in the "Son of Sam" murders, was arrested.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a measure providing $20,000 payments to Japanese-Americans who'd been interned by their government during World War II.
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1996, heated by the sun, power lines begin to sag in Oregon. Somehow this triggers a series of failures which cascades throughout the Western states. Four million people lose electrical service in Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Montana, and Texas.
In 1999, a gunman opened fire at a Jewish community center in Los Angeles, wounding three boys, a teenage girl and a woman; hours later, a gunman shot and killed letter carrier Joseph Ileto; white supremacist Buford O. Furrow later pleaded guilty to the shootings and is serving two life sentences.
In 2004, President George W. Bush chose Porter Goss, a Republican congressman and one-time spy, to lead the CIA.
In 2008, at the Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps began his long march toward eight gold medals by winning the 400-meter individual medley in 4:03.84 -- smashing his own world record.
In 1792, during the French Revolution, mobs in Paris attacked the Tuileries Palace, where King Louis XVI resided. (The king was later arrested, put on trial for treason, and executed the following January.)
In 1809, Ecuador struck its initial blow for independence from Spain. (Ecuador achieved independence in 1822.)
In 1846, President James K. Polk signed a measure establishing the Smithsonian Institution, named after English scientist James Smithson, whose bequest of half a million dollars had made it possible.
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell 1847-1922 makes the world's first long-distance call from Brantford to the Bell homestead in Paris, Ontario; using a 13 km long line strung from Brantford, Ontario.
In 1885, America's first commercially operated electric streetcar began operation in Baltimore.
In 1911, the House of Lords in Great Britain gives up its veto power, making the House of Commons the more powerful House.
In 1921, at the age of 39, Franklin D. Roosevelt notices early signs of poliomyelitis at his summer home in New Brunswick, Canada. The disease will prevent him from ever walking unaided again.
In 1949, the National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defense.
In 1969, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson's cult, one day after actress Sharon Tate and four other people were slain.
In 1977, David Berkowitz, the suspect in the "Son of Sam" murders, was arrested.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a measure providing $20,000 payments to Japanese-Americans who'd been interned by their government during World War II.
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1996, heated by the sun, power lines begin to sag in Oregon. Somehow this triggers a series of failures which cascades throughout the Western states. Four million people lose electrical service in Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Montana, and Texas.
In 1999, a gunman opened fire at a Jewish community center in Los Angeles, wounding three boys, a teenage girl and a woman; hours later, a gunman shot and killed letter carrier Joseph Ileto; white supremacist Buford O. Furrow later pleaded guilty to the shootings and is serving two life sentences.
In 2004, President George W. Bush chose Porter Goss, a Republican congressman and one-time spy, to lead the CIA.
In 2008, at the Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps began his long march toward eight gold medals by winning the 400-meter individual medley in 4:03.84 -- smashing his own world record.