This Day in History Class

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.

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.

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.

On this day in 1991, Apple launched its PowerBook 100 series of laptop computers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1973, the iconic Sydney Opera House was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On this day in 1889, the world famous Moulin Rouge cabaret held its first performance in Paris.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

On this day in 1949, WERD Radio became the first station owned and operated by Black Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On this day in 1923, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet hit bookstore shelves for the first time.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.