# Today in History **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 10, 2016, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530 "2016-07-10T04:53:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 38
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/743 "2017-07-11T04:21:15Z")
**July 11, 1920** : [Charles Stephens](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-tourism-history/daredevils-of-niagara-falls/charles-stephens/&ved=0ahUKEwjvqqXnrYDVAhVMFz4KHUlmAR8QFghSMAk&usg=AFQjCNFKCcJgtrdVPFVQJ5fYBHtAtSMF9Q)becomes the first person to die going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. He thought attaching his feet to an anvil for ballast was a good idea. He harnessed himself in. When the barrel went over the falls, the weight of the anvil ripped his body through the bottom of the barrel. Only his arm, still strapped into the remnants of the barrel, was ever found. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/744 "2017-07-11T06:26:55Z")
**July 11, 1804** : A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/745 "2017-07-12T04:47:26Z")
**July 12, 1961** : In only its first year of operation, [the Panshet Dam in India bursts](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/aparanjape.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/12-july-1961-panshet-a-day-that-changed-pune/amp/&ved=0ahUKEwiMtuWY9oLVAhXDoD4KHY26AhwQFggtMAE&usg=AFQjCNFyYItQLLblcgfyl8bwxECTlUQMCw). Over 1000 die. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/746 "2017-07-12T07:16:59Z")
**July 12, 1962** : The Rolling Stones perform their first concert, at London’s Marquee Club… 55 years ago! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/747 "2017-07-13T04:07:42Z")
**July 13, 1890** : [The \*Sea Wing \*](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.mnopedia.org/event/sea-wing-disaster-1890&ved=0ahUKEwiusLnHr4XVAhUBYz4KHffSCM0QFghjMAs&usg=AFQjCNEqHUQJ3mvRTJYssd1ku4kl0wMqcA)overturns on Lake Pepin in Minnesota during a violent storm. 98 passengers on the excursion boat die. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2017, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/748 "2017-07-13T10:26:16Z")
**July 13, 1863** : The New York City draft riots: Opponents of conscription begin three days of rioting which will be later regarded as the worst in United States history. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/749 "2017-07-14T08:39:13Z")
**July 14, 1965** : The Mariner 4 flyby of Mars takes the first close-up photos of another planet. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/750 "2017-07-15T07:14:37Z")
**July 15, 1888** : [Mt. Bandai](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.glgarcs.rgr.jp/topics/bandai/bandai_1.html&ved=0ahUKEwiUu5GT3YrVAhWQCD4KHdm9CcUQFgh8MA4&usg=AFQjCNF-g6l42Y2rLVlLRPH3dEZAIzJuHg) erupts in Japan killing hundreds and changing the landscape of the area. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/751 "2017-07-15T08:23:45Z")
**July 15, 1799** : The Rosetta Stone is found in the Egyptian village of Rosetta by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. It is inscribed with three versions of a decree issued at Memphis, Egypt in 196 BC during the Ptolemaic dynasty on behalf of King Ptolemy V. The top and middle texts are in Ancient Egyptian using hieroglyphic script and Demotic script, respectively, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek. As the decree is the same (with some minor differences) in all three versions, the Rosetta Stone proved to be the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/752 "2017-07-16T04:35:48Z")
**July 16, 1942** : [The Vel d’Hiv Roundup](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2012/08/18/france-hollande-crime-vel-d-hiv/&ved=0ahUKEwj8mZnd-YzVAhXEFz4KHVk7CNc4FBAWCCIwAg&usg=AFQjCNEHvm7NBkjvLMd0Z19JQ7rHcyAb8Q). Under orders from the Vichy government, French police arrest over 13,000 Jewish people living in France. Most are sent to the Velodrome d’Hiver, a large indoor cycle track. There families are deliberately separated and transferred to concentration camps. Less than 1000 of those arrested survive the war. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/753 "2017-07-16T11:17:06Z")
**July 16, 1935** : The world’s first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/754 "2017-07-17T05:05:07Z")
**July 17, 1944** : [The Port Chicago Disaster](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/www.eastbaytimes.com/2014/07/16/port-chicago-disaster-exposed-racism-in-military-helped-launch-civil-rights-movement/amp/&ved=0ahUKEwj3pcGfwo_VAhUGPD4KHfK9BOcQFgjaATAh&usg=AFQjCNFP8aeU3Pv8a1onGZE7zEitbnRv2w). In America’s deadliest WWII home front accident, 320 sailors and civilians are killed when munitions being loaded aboard a ship explode in Port Chicago, California. Another 390 are injured. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/755 "2017-07-17T09:19:49Z")
**July 17, 1996** : TWA Flight 800: Off the coast of Long Island, New York, a Paris-bound TWA Boeing 747 explodes, killing all 230 on board. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/756 "2017-07-18T04:36:11Z")
**July 18, 1969** : William Safire writes a letter for President Nixon to read to the nation[in the event the astronauts become stranded and die on the Moon](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/11/in-event-of-moon-disaster.html%3Fm%3D1&ved=0ahUKEwikiJ_h95HVAhXBxVQKHU1fBLIQFggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNHPK7hvqEncqQXjVKAKWtm-EJ-cPA). ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/757 "2017-07-18T16:29:04Z")
**July 18, 1969** : U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy crashes his car into a tidal basin at Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, killing his passenger, campaign specialist Mary Jo Kopechne ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/758 "2017-07-19T04:28:54Z")
**July 19, 1985** : [The Val di Stava dam failure](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_di_Stava_dam_collapse&ved=0ahUKEwi5ksPNvpTVAhVBVz4KHQ1yBLAQFgiQATAY&usg=AFQjCNG46nN6N5DLoFTqy4RykfSdELneYQ) kills 268 in Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/759 "2017-07-20T07:36:10Z")
**July 20, 1934** : [“Bloody Friday”](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Friday_(Minneapolis)&ved=0ahUKEwi6uK_Bq5fVAhVGWD4KHQPlDncQFggnMAI&usg=AFQjCNH5Gk-GdB-eGmts82t4Jjhv-1Hkrw) in Minneapolis. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/760 "2017-07-20T12:22:04Z")
**July 20, 1969** : Apollo 11’s crew successfully makes the first manned landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/761 "2017-07-21T05:23:33Z")
**July 21, 1919** : [The \*Wingfoot \*Air Express Crash.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingfoot_Air_Express_crash&ved=0ahUKEwjJo63IzpnVAhXKVT4KHc6DCHcQFgiFATAX&usg=AFQjCNE3QzX6fRYYj1v3Uv3Kb8ayA_0ugw) Three on board a dirigible die when the airship catches fire and crashes into the Illinois Trust and Savings building in Chicago. Ten people inside that building were also killed. At the time this was the country’s deadliest dirigible accident. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/762 "2017-07-21T11:23:38Z")
**July 21, 1925** : The “Scopes” Trial: In Dayton, Tennessee, high school biology teacher John T. Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution in class and fined $100. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=39)