In 1679, French explorer Robert de La Salle set sail on a 45-ton barque called Le Griffon. It became the first sailing ship to cross Lake Erie and Lake Huron.
The Burning of Junius
In 1628, Johannes Junius, the Mayor of Bamberg was burned alive for being a witch. He was one of hundreds of people who were executed in Germany as part of the infamous Bamberg witch trials.
News from Choctaw Ridge
In 1967, Bobbie Gentry recorded her Southern Gothic masterpiece, Ode to Billie Joe. The song shot to #1 and stayed there for 4 weeks. It sold 3,000,000 copies worldwide and earned Gentry 3 Grammy awards.
Oldest
Jeanne Calment lived for 122 years. Hers is the longest verified human life on record.
TRS-80
In 1977, Radio Shack introduced its first foray into the home computing business.
Lioness of Brittany
For 13 bloody years, Jeanne de Clisson used her Black Fleet to wreak havoc on French ships in the English Channel.
Isolated
In 1971, Al Worden became the "most isolated human being" as he orbited the moon 2,235 miles from his Apollo 15 crew members.
Adios Amigo
Jim Reeves was one of the smoothest crooners on the airwaves in the fifties and early sixties. His velvety voice helped establish the Nashville Sound.
The Westfield Ferry
In 1871, 125 lives were lost when one of the Staten Island ferries exploded.
Earth Mother of Hippiedom
She is most remembered as Mama Cass, the powerful voice that dominates many of the hits sung by the sixties pop quartet, The Mamas & the Papas.
Empire State Disaster
A B-25 bomber on a routine transport mission slammed into the Empire State Building.
The Deadliest Hot Shot
The thundering boom was heard 100 miles away.
The End of Shambo
In 2007 a long contentious battle was waged between British goverment officials and the the Hindu leaders of a temple who were adamantly opposed to the killing of their sacred bull.
Nelson's Right Arm
In 1797, Today was the day that Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson lost his right arm during his attack on the Spanish port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
The Pine Tar Incident
It was the top of the 9th, and the Kansas City Royals were down 4-3 to the Yankees. George Brett cracked a 2-run homer to take a 5 to 4 lead at Yankee Stadium. New York's manager, Billy Martin, approached the umpire and requested that he take a closer look at Brett's bat.
Steve Pulls a Brodie
In 1886, a Bowery bookie named Steve Brodie jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and survived. This amazing feat earned him instant fame, which he milked for the rest of his life.
Death of a Gangster
In 1934, John Dillinger was gunned down by agents from the BOI (Bureau of Information - an early version of the FBI).
Wingfoot Air Express
In 1919, a dirigible called the Wingfoot Air Express burst into flames and crashed through the skylight of a Chicago bank killing 13 people.
Death in Managua
Sandinista rebels were on the cusp of taking control of Nicaragua’s capital city, Managua. Bill Stewart was a 37-year-old reporter covering the civil war for ABC.
The Floating Hospital
In the 14 years that the Emma Abbott steamed around Manhattan, it cared for over 900,000 patients.