57 years ago today, Charlie Wilson escapes from Winson Green Prison in Birmingham.in under three minutes.
74 years ago today, Bugsy Siegel, is shot and killed at his mistress Virginia Hillâs home in Beverly Hills, California. Siegel had been talking to his associate Allen Smiley when three bullets were fired through the window and into his head, killing him instantly.
Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker and nurse who smuggled approximately 2,500 Jewish children out of Nazi-occupied Warsaw, passed away on this date in 2008.
56 years ago today, Malcolm X is assassinated by rival Black Muslims while addressing his Organization of Afro-American Unity in Washington Heights.
136 years ago today, Mark Twain publishes his famousâand famously controversialânovel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (US version).
24 years ago today, four apartheid-era police officers, appearing before the court, admitted to the 1977 murder of the activist Bantu Stephen Biko.
64 years ago today, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discsânow known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees.
101 years ago today, after it was ratified a year earlier on 16 January 1919, prohibition officially goes into effect, with the passage of the Volstead Act (also known as National Prohibition Act).
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce peoples surrenders to U.S. General Nelson A. Miles in the Bear Paw mountains of Montana, declaring âHear me, my chiefs: My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.â
63 years ago today, the most acclaimed musical of all time, West Side Story, opens at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway.
143 years ago today, one of the most notable and iconic of Native American warriors, Oglala Sioux leader Crazy Horse is fatally bayoneted by a U.S. soldier after resisting confinement in a guardhouse at Fort Robinson, Nebraska.
On this date in 1886, the last Native American warrior, Apache leader Geronimo, surrenders to U.S. government troops. For 30 years, the Native American warrior had battled to protect his tribeâs homeland; however, by 1886 the Apaches were exhausted and hopelessly outnumbered.
41 years ago today, disco was killed by a public backlash with the infamous Disco Demolition Night at Chicagoâs Comiskey Park. At least 9 were injured and 39 got arrested.
In 1979, Brenda Ann Spencer (16) opened fire on Grover Cleveland Elementary School shooting eight children and three adults which ended up killing the schoolâs principal, Burton Wragg, and the caretaker, Mike Suchar. Spencerâs shooting became particularly notorious for inspiring Bob Geldof to write âI Donât Like Mondaysâ.
38 years ago today John Hinckley Jr., was found not guilty of attempted murderâhe tried to kill President Reaganâby reason of insanity.
