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.
Frogs Fall on Duck Farm
Charles Fort mentioned over a dozen frogstorms in his writings, but this one made the second page of the New York Evening World.
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 Bureau of Investigation.
Wingfoot Air Express
A dirigible burst into flames and crashed through the skylight of a Chicago bank.
Hero Boiled Alive
Others warned him not to dive in, but he told them, "Like hell I won't!"
The Floating Hospital
The fleet cared for over 900,000 patients between 1886 and the 1950s.
Nadia's Perfect 10
The amazing feat came during the 1976 Montreal games.