This Day in History: 2004
the World War II Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. The granite and bronze monument stands on 7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
This Day in History: 1991
paroled felon Rodney King led police on a high-speed chase through the streets of Los Angeles County before eventually surrendering. Drunk and uncooperative, he resisted arrest and was beaten by three police officers who didn't know they were being filmed by a nearby citizen. Upon release to the press, the video triggered outrage around the country and started a national debate on police brutality.
This Day in History: 1789
the HMS Bounty was taken over in a mutiny led by master's mate Fletcher Christian. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his faithful supporters were set adrift in a small boat but managed to navigate a journey of 4,000 miles over 42 days to safety without a single loss of life.
This Day in History: 1789
Fletcher Christian led a mutiny against William Bligh aboard the HMS Bounty and set him and 18 loyal crew members adrift in a 23-foot open boat, but the men survived a 47-day voyage to the Dutch East Indies and returned to England to report the mutiny. Christian and the rest of the crew eventually settled on Pitcairn Island and Tahiti.
This Day in History: 1953
inventor Howard Ross received a patent for a useful, if rather curious, garment called a double coat, with an outer layer that could be extended to cover two people at a time in athletic stadiums when it rained.
This Day in History: 1992
Baroness Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected Speaker of the British House of Commons in its 700-year history. At the time, there were just 60 women in the 651-member House. A former professional dancer, she earned a reputation for fairness and impartiality over the course of her career, even issuing reprimands with good humor and charm.
This Day in History: 1971
eight members of the Welsh Language Society were accused of conspiring to damage, remove or destroy English-language road signs in Wales.
This Day in History: 1971
eight members of the Welsh Language Society were accused of conspiring to damage, remove or destroy English-language road signs in Wales.
This Day in History: 1521
Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan was killed during a tribal skirmish on Mactan Island in the Philippines. Earlier in the month, he had met with the local chief on the Philippine island of Cebu, who, after converting to Christianity, had persuaded the Europeans to assist him in conquering a rival tribe on a neighboring island. During the ensuing conflict, Magellan was hit by a poisoned arrow and left to die by his retreating fellow fighters.
This Day in History: 2010
Boobquake, a rally inspired by blogger Jennifer McCreight that aimed to protest news reports of controversial beliefs blaming immodestly dressed women for causing earthquakes, took place with an estimated 200,000 people participating worldwide.
This Day in History: 1928
Filipino immigrant Pedro Flores opened the Yo-yo Manufacturing Company in Santa Barbara, CA. By November 1929, he was operating two additional factories in Los Angeles and Hollywood, which together produced 300,000 yo-yos daily.
This Day in History: 1989
James Richardson was released from a Florida prison 21 years after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his seven children. Special prosecutor Janet Reno had agreed to the release after evidence showed his conviction resulted from misconduct by the prosecutor. His neighbor, Betsy Reese, confessed to the crime.
Chrysler Corporation purchases the Italian car maker Lamborghini for $25 million.
Adolf Hitler admits in his underground bunker that the war is lost.
The funeral train carrying Abraham Lincoln leaves Washington, D.C. for its journey to Springfield, Illinois.