This Day in History Class
1,999 episodes — Page 11 of 40
The Royal Charter Storm sinks 133 ships in the Irish Sea - October 26th, 1859
On this day in 1859, one of the worst storms in history struck the British Isles, sinking 133 ships and badly damaging 90 others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Horror movie icon Vincent Price passes away from lung cancer - October 25th, 1993
On this day in 1993, prolific actor Vincent Price died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 82.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Heavy fog causes a series of deadly crashes on the New Jersey Turnpike - October 24th, 1973
On this day in 1973, a mix of fog and smoke blanketed the New Jersey Turnpike, setting off a chain of deadly collisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apple unveils the PowerBook laptop - October 21st, 1991
On this day in 1991, Apple launched its PowerBook 100 series of laptop computers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Queen Elizabeth II opens the Sydney Opera House - October 20th, 1973
On this day in 1973, the iconic Sydney Opera House was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An Oregon county pays its share of a Boston Tea Party debt - October 19th, 1961
On this day in 1961, a London tea company accepted a check for $1.96 as partial compensation for the Boston Tea Parties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The British Privy Council rules that women are considered "Persons" under Canadian law - October 18th, 1929
On this day in 1929, Canada’s highest court of appeals determined that women are included in the country’s legal definition of “persons.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant suspends habeas corpus to combat the Ku Klux Klan - October 17th, 1871
On this day in 1871, President Grant declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in nine South Carolina counties where KKK activity was rampant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Arthur Conan Doyle publishes The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - October 14th, 1892
On this day in 1892, British author Arthur Conan Doyle published The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of the first 12 stories to feature the famous detective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first American cell phone network launches in Chicago - October 13th, 1983
On this day in 1983, the first commercial cell phone call was made from Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, Illinois.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Actor Jon-Erik Hexum accidentally shoots himself with a prop gun - October 12th, 1984
On this day in 1984, TV star Jon-Erik Hexum mistakenly shot and killed himself after misfiring a prop gun on the set of his show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hundreds of thousands march on the U.S. capital in support of gay rights - October 11th, 1987
On this day in 1987, more than 300,000 people took part in the second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The historic London Bridge is reopened in Arizona - October 10th, 1971
On this day in 1971, after three years of painstaking reconstruction, the London Bridge was reopened in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Russian despot Vladimir Putin is born - October 7th, 1952
On this day in 1952, Vladimir Putin was born in the Soviet city of Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, Russia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Moulin Rouge cabaret opens in Paris - October 6th, 1889
On this day in 1889, the world famous Moulin Rouge cabaret held its first performance in Paris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Narcotics Anonymous holds its first recovery meeting - October 5th, 1953
On this day in 1953, the modern incarnation of Narcotics Anonymous held its first recovery meeting in Los Angeles, California.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Televangelist Jim Bakker is indicted on federal charges - October 4th, 1988
On this day in 1988, televangelist Jim Bakker was indicted on 24 federal charges of fraud and conspiracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
America’s first Black-owned radio station goes on the air - October 3rd, 1949
On this day in 1949, WERD Radio became the first station owned and operated by Black Americans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. Navy commissions the world's first nuclear-powered submarine - September 30th, 1954
On this day in 1954, the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was accepted into active service by the U.S. Navy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jackie Wilson slips into an irreversible coma - September 29th, 1975
On this day in 1975, American R&B singer Jackie Wilson collapsed on stage during a performance and went into a coma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin - September 28th, 1928
On this day in 1928, Scottish microbiologist Alexander Fleming discovered a life-saving antibiotic agent, which he called penicillin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Balloonfest '86 wreaks havoc in Cleveland, Ohio - September 27th, 1986
On this day in 1986, a fundraising stunt created chaos and confusion by flooding Cleveland, Ohio, with 1.5 million balloons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nixon and Kennedy take part in the first televised presidential debate - September 26th, 1960
On this day in 1960, Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy squared off in the first televised presidential debate in American history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet is published - September 23rd, 1923
On this day in 1923, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet hit bookstore shelves for the first time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
American spy Nathan Hale is executed by British troops - September 22nd, 1776
On this day in 1776, Captain Nathan Hale of the Continental Army was hanged by the British for spying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A British barrister buys Stonehenge as a gift for his wife - September 21st, 1915
On this day in 1915, at an auction in Salisbury, England, Cecil Chubb placed the winning bid for the Stonehenge monument. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first wave of Southeast Asian "boat people" arrives in San Francisco - September 20th, 1977
On this day in 1977, the first group of the so-called “boat people” were admitted to the United States as refugees from Communist Vietnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” hits No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 - September 19th, 1960
On this day in 1960, Chubby Checker’s rendition of “The Twist” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An explosion on Wall Street kills 38 people - September 16th, 1920
On this day in 1920, a horse-drawn carriage rigged with a makeshift bomb exploded on the busiest corner of Wall Street.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tanks are used in combat for the first time during the Battle of the Somme - September 15th, 1916
On this day in 1916, the first tanks were deployed at Flers-Courcelette during the Battle of the Somme in France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Dutch schoolmaster slashes a famous Rembrandt painting with a butter knife - September 14th, 1975
On this day in 1975, Rembrandt van Rijn's “The Night Watch” was vandalized while on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" premieres on CBS - September 13th, 1969
On this day in 1969, the cartoon series “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” aired for the first time on CBS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
South African activist Steve Biko dies in police custody - September 12th, 1977
On this day in 1977, anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko died on the floor of a prison hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world's first computer bug is recorded - September 9th, 1947
On this day in 1947, a team of engineers at Harvard University reported the earliest known computer bug.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is released in theaters - September 8th, 1960
On this day in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic suspense thriller Psycho opened in theaters across the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. nickname "Uncle Sam" is introduced - September 7th, 1813
On this day in 1813, the Troy Post newspaper in New York made the first published reference to the nickname Uncle Sam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first self-service grocery store opens in Memphis, Tennessee - September 6th, 1916
On this day in 1916, entrepreneur Clarence Saunders opened the Piggly Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Russian monarch Peter the Great imposes a tax on beards - September 5th, 1698
On this day in 1698, Tsar Peter I imposed an annual tax on Russians who wished to keep their facial hair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first American bank heist takes place at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia - September 2nd, 1798
On this day in 1798, over $160,000 was stolen from the Bank of Pennsylvania at Carpenters’ Hall, marking the first recorded bank heist in American history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nazi Germany decrees that all Jews over the age of six must wear a yellow star - September 1st, 1941
On this day in 1941, the Nazi regime ordered all Jews in Germany over the age of six to publicly identify themselves by wearing a yellow star. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John Lloyd Wright is granted the patent for Lincoln Logs - August 31st, 1920
On this day in 1920, John Lloyd Wright received the patent for his “Cabin Construction'' toy, otherwise known as Lincoln Logs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Guion "Guy" Bluford becomes the first African American to travel into space - August 30th, 1983
On this day in 1983, U.S. astronaut Guion Bluford became the first African American in space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The last known member of the Yahi people emerges from the California wilderness - August 29th, 1911
On this day in 1911, the last surviving member of the Yahi people was found, on the brink of starvation, near a slaughterhouse in Oroville, California.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The French government denies responsibility for the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior - August 26th, 1985
On this day in 1985, French officials denied any involvement in the recent bombing of the anti-nuclear protest vessel, Rainbow Warrior. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. National Park Service is established - August 25th, 1916
On this day in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, which established the National Park Service and placed all existing parks under its protection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chef George Crum allegedly invents the potato chip - August 24th, 1853
On this day in 1853, according to culinary legend, acclaimed chef George "Crum" Speck invented the potato chip.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First Lady Dolley Madison saves a portrait of George Washington from British looters - August 23rd, 1814
On this day in 1814, First Lady Dolley Madison helped save a portrait of George Washington from being destroyed by British troops during the War of 1812.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ann Smith Franklin becomes the first female newspaper editor in the United States - August 22nd, 1762
On this day in 1762, Ann Smith Franklin became the sole editor and publisher of the Newport Mercury newspaper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds its first automobile race - August 19th, 1909
On this day in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted its inaugural auto race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mongol leader Genghis Khan dies - August 18th, 1227
On this day in 1227, notorious warlord Genghis Khan died from unknown causes during the conquest of the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.