# 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:** 92
**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:** [April 5, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1825 "2021-04-05T17:01:42Z")
April 5, 1936: An F5 tornado in Tupelo, Mississippi kills at least 216 and injures over 700. This is the fourth deadliest tornado in US history. The storm missed the home of one-year old Elvis Presley by less than a half mile. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BuXZXR_zV-Q/hqdefault.jpg "Tupelo Tornado of 1936") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuXZXR_zV-Q) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1826 "2021-04-09T14:17:07Z")
The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on April 9, 1917, with the four Canadian divisions and one British division attacking the Ridge, held by the German army with three divisions. The German army had held the Ridge since October 1914, against various unsuccessful attacks. The 1917 attack on Vimy Ridge was part of the largely unsuccessful [Nivelle\_Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nivelle_Offensive). The Canadians and British took most of the Ridge on the first day. > [@](#): > > Historians attribute the success of the Canadian Corps to technical and tactical innovation, meticulous planning, powerful artillery support and extensive training, as well as the inability of the 6th Army to properly apply the new German defensive doctrine. The battle was the first occasion when the four divisions of the [Canadian Expeditionary Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Expeditionary_Force) fought together and it was made a symbol of Canadian national achievement and sacrifice. A 100 ha (250-acre) portion of the former battleground serves as a memorial park and site of the [Canadian National Vimy Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_National_Vimy_Memorial).[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vimy_Ridge#cite_note-DFAIT-5) > [@](#): > > The Red Ensign carried by the [5th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Western Cavalry)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Battalion_(Western_Cavalry),_CEF) at the [Battle of Vimy Ridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vimy_Ridge) in 1917 survives to this day, and is possibly the oldest Canadian flag in existence.[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Red_Ensign#cite_note-NP-7) The battle was the first time all four divisions of the [Canadian Expeditionary Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Expeditionary_Force) fought together during the First World War, and is viewed as a pivotal event in the history of Canadian national identity.[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Red_Ensign#cite_note-8)[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Red_Ensign#cite_note-9) ---
**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:** [April 16, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1827 "2021-04-16T04:52:44Z")
April 16, 1947: The Texas City Explosion, considered the worst industrial accident in US history, kills at least 500 (and likely many more). Over 5000 were injured. > **[Texas City disaster](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_City_disaster)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > The 1947 Texas City disaster was an industrial accident that occurred on April 16, 1947, in the port of Texas City, Texas, United States, located in Galveston Bay. It was the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions. > The explosion was triggered by a mid-morning fire on board the French-registered vessel SS Grandcamp (docked at port), which detonated her cargo of about 2,300 tons (about 2,1... ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1828 "2021-04-18T06:47:12Z")
April 17, 1982: Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on a rainy day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, signed the Proclamation bringing the _Constitution Act, 1982_, into force, patriating the Constitution of Canada and ending the British Parliament’s ability to legislate for Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1829 "2021-04-23T19:32:49Z")
**April 23, 1564:** Though no one can truly confirm William Shakespeare’s birthdate, baptismal traditions [point to it](https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/when-was-shakespeare-born/) as being April 23, 1564. However, and somewhat coincidentally, it IS known that he died on [April 23, 1616](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/william-shakespeare-born) at the age of 52. _ **-“BB”-** _ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1830 "2021-04-30T14:43:24Z")
**April 30, 1789** George Washington and John Adams were sworn in as the first President and Vice President of the United States, at Federal Hall in the temporary capital of New York City (and I have stood at that very spot, at 26 Wall Street). As portrayed in the excellent 2008 HBO miniseries _John Adams_: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JgCQDZdlMdc/hqdefault.jpg "George Washington, oath of office") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgCQDZdlMdc) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1831 "2021-05-07T16:59:40Z")
**May 7, 1840** Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the great Russian composer, is born in Votkinsk. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1832 "2021-05-15T15:03:58Z")
On May 15, 1942, gasoline rationing began in 17 Eastern states as an attempt to help the American war effort during [World War II](https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii). By the end of the year, President [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/franklin-d-roosevelt) had ensured that mandatory gasoline rationing was in effect in all 48 states. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1833 "2021-05-15T15:46:50Z")
Today was also the day (in 1536) when Anne Boleyn was tried for her ‘crimes’, which led to her head being separated from her body four days later. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1834 "2021-05-29T00:49:51Z")
Glory Be! On May 28, 1863 the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of freed Blacks, left Boston to fight for the Union in the Civil War. AND, in 1973 President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a button in the White House that signaled traffic to start flowing across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. ---
**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1835 "2021-05-29T02:52:59Z")
Ignatz wrote: > AND, in 1973 President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a button in the White House that signaled traffic to start flowing across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Good trick, that, considering he died in 1945. I think you meant 1937. _ **-“BB”-** _ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1836 "2021-05-29T04:21:24Z")
I always thought four terms for FDR was too many… but ten is _right out!_ **May 29, 1917** John F. Kennedy is born in Brookline, Mass. A Democrat, in 1960, he would be elected as the first Catholic to become President of the United States; the second, Joe Biden of Delaware, also a Democrat, would not be elected until 2020. ---
**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:** [June 8, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1837 "2021-06-08T17:27:32Z")
June 8, 1924: George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappear into the clouds less than a thousand feet below the summit of Mount Everest. Were they the first to reach the top? We will probably never know. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1838 "2021-06-08T19:42:36Z")
**June 8, 1867** Frank Lloyd Wright is born in Richland Center, Wisc. A visionary architect and designer but a pretty awful human being. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1839 "2021-06-11T01:04:06Z")
June 10 1692 - the first execution resulting from the Salem, Massachusetts, witch trials took place as Bridget Bishop was hanged. 1942 - During World War II, German forces massacred 173 male residents of Lidice, Czechoslovakia, in retaliation for the killing of Nazi official Reinhard Heydrich. 1944 - German forces massacred 643 of the inhabitants, including women and children, of the French village Ouradour-sur-Glane. (Its burnt out buildings remain as a memorial to the disaster.) ---
**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:** [June 11, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1840 "2021-06-11T13:35:45Z")
**June 11, 1955** : Eighty-three spectators are killed and at least 100 are injured after an Austin-Healey and a Mercedes-Benz collide at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the deadliest ever accident in motorsports. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1841 "2021-06-12T13:06:48Z")
June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were slashed to death outside her Los Angeles home. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2021, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1842 "2021-06-12T13:07:19Z")
**June 12, 1967** : The United States Supreme Court in _Loving v. Virginia_ declares all U.S. state laws which prohibit interracial marriage to be unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1843 "2021-06-13T04:19:25Z")
June 12, 1981 — _ **"Raiders of the Lost Ark"** _ premieres, introducing the planet to the world of Indiana Jones and his peculiar form of archaeology. _ **-“BB”-** _ ---
**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:** [June 13, 2021, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/1844 "2021-06-13T07:52:42Z")
**June 13, 1893** : Grover Cleveland notices a rough spot in his mouth and on July 1 undergoes secret, successful surgery to remove a large, cancerous portion of his jaw; the operation was not revealed to the public until 1917, nine years after the president’s death. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=93)