Estimates are that as many 250,000 sea birds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 247 bald eagles and billions of salmon eggs were killed.
The First Elevator
The first successful passenger elevator was installed on this day at 488 Broadway in New York City.
Sgt. Bleak
He's probably the only Medal of Honor recipient whose citation that includes the phrase, "smacked their heads together."
The Deadly Beat
Jean-Baptiste Lully, the Italian composer whose fast-tempoed music livened up the court of France's Louis XIV, died on this day after a 3-month battle with an infection that started with a smashed toe.
The Agony of Defeat
Today was the day that Yugoslavian ski jumper, Vinko Bogataj, wiped out in spectacular fashion during a competition in Oberstdorf, West Germany.
Ota Benga
His extraordinary life became a flashpoint in the debates over race and evolution.
"Not bloody likely!"
It was on this day that Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were attacked as part of a kidnapping scheme.
37 Days Under an Avalanche
On this date 3 survivors finally emerged from an avalanche after 37 days. It's one of the longest cases on record of anyone surviving after being buried alive in the snow.
Attack of the Crocodiles
It was on this day in what is now Burma, that hundreds of Japanese soldiers were attacked and eaten by crocodiles.
The Tri-State Tornado
The deadliest tornado in U.S. history struck on this day, carving a 219-mile path of destruction across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
Huge Heist
The largest property theft in US history happened in the early morning hours of this day.
Burst of Joy
Associated Press photographer, Slava "Sal" Veder snapped a photo that would become an iconic symbol of America's healing in the wake of the Vietnam War.
The Mountain Man
Jim Bridger was one of the first white men to see the geysers of Yellowstone and the Great Salt Lake.
Saint Urho
This pitchfork-wielding Saint drove the grasshoppers out of Finland, or so they say.
World Contact Day
The International Flying Saucer Bureau asked all its members to send out a collective telepathic greeting to visitors from outer space.
Casey Jones
Today is the birthday of John Luther Jones, or as history remembers him, Casey Jones.
The Lakeview Gusher
It would flow out of control for 18 months. Over 9 million barrels of crude oil were spilled before the well could finally be contained. At its peak, the spill formed a 60-acre lake of oil.
I'm Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired
Fannie Lou Hamer was the granddaughter of slaves who grew up to be a freedom fighter.
Nugget Man
Robert C. Baker invented some of the most popular fast food items of all time.
The Longest Fly Ball
It was on this day during spring training in Daytona Beach, Florida, that Wilbert Robinson waited in the outfield for a baseball to be dropped from an airplane.