this day in history

Lead Story

Building of Hoover Dam begins, 1930

American Revolution

Battle of Hubbardton, 1777

Automotive

Stock car driver Kenny Irwin Jr. dies in crash, 2000

Civil War

Kit Carson’s campaign against the Indians, 1863

Cold War

Samantha Smith leaves for visit to the USSR, 1983

Crime

Mary Surratt is first woman executed by U.S. federal government, 1865

Disaster

Tanker accident causes deadly fire, 1987

General Interest

The impeachment of Senator Blount, 1797

U.S. occupies Iceland, 1941

Female cadets enrolled at West Point, 1976

O’Connor nominated to Supreme Court, 1981

Terrorists attack London transit system at rush hour, 2005

Hollywood

Johnny Depp stars in second Pirates of the Caribbean movie, 2006

Literary

Birthday of Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick, Dr. Watson, 1852

Music

“The Stripper,” by David Rose, becomes the #1 pop hit in America, 1962

Old West

Warren Earp killed in Arizona, 1900

Presidential

Future President Jimmy Carter marries, 1946

Sports

Jim Thorpe begins Olympic triathlon, 1912

Vietnam War

China announces it will provide aid to Hanoi, 1955

New ambassador arrives in Saigon, 1964

First U.S. troops withdrawn from South Vietnam, 1969

World War I

British Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps is officially established, 1917

World War II

Himmler decides to begin medical experiments on Auschwitz prisoners, 1942