Today in 1851, Linus Yale of Newport, New York, received a patent for the clock-type lock. Yale locks are among the top brands of security devices sold today.
Today in 1891, Electrician Irwin H. Hoover began installing electrical wiring in the White House.
Today in 1915, Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run while playing with the Boston Red Sox. “The Sultan of Swat” went on to hit 714 home runs before he retired, as a New York Yankee, in 1935.
Today in 1937, the "Hindenburg" exploded while trying to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey and 35 of the 97 passengers aboard were killed, along with one crewmember. Fortunately (and miraculously), 62 survived. Ironically, hydrogen-filled German dirigible wasn’t new technology. In fact, commercial zeppelins had flown for more than 30 years of passenger travel on more than 2-thousand flights with tens of thousands of passengers being flown over a million miles, without a single injury. But with the Hindenberg loss, that kind of commercial travel was essentially abandoned.
Today in 1954, British runner Roger Banister broke the four-minute mile.
Today in 1956,Jim Bailey became the first runner to break the four-minute mile in the U.S. He was clocked at 3:58.5.
Today in 1962, the submarine U.S.S. Ethan Allen fired a Polaris missile armed with a nuclear warhead that detonated above the Pacific Ocean. It was the first test of its kind.
Today in 1991, Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Lenny Dykstra and catcher Darren Daulton were badly hurt when Dykstra’s car crashed into two trees in a Philadelphia suburb. With a blood alcohol of .179, Dykstra was later charged with drunken diving.
Today in 1994, former Arkansas state worker Paula Jones filed suit against President Clinton alleging that he had sexually harassed her in 1991. They ultimately settled.
Today in 1994, for the first time since the Ice Age, a direct link connected Britain and mainland Europe as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and French President Francois Mitterrand opened the Channel Tunnel – later dubbed the “Chunnel.”
Today in 1997, four health-care companies agreed to a settlement of $600-million to hemophiliacs who had contracted AIDS from tainted blood between 1978-1985.
Today in 2000, “Fusaichi Pegasus” became the first favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since "Spectacular Bid" in 1979.
Today in 2004, the series finale of “Friends” aired. It was watched by 52.46-million viewers, making it the fifth most watched television series finale in U.S. history.
Today in 2008, 96 people were arrested after a drug raid as part of Operation Sudden Fall. It was the largest campus drug bust in San Diego County history – and the most shocking – as most of those arrested (75) were students from San Diego University who were members of fraternities involved in an organized drug ring. Police found firearms, money, more than four pounds of cocaine, and over 50-pounds of marijuana. The investigation lasted a year and was conducted by undercover drug enforcement administration agents.
Today in 2013, the “Cleveland Three” were discovered and released from a home in the city. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, who vanished separately between 2002 and 2004, were freed in a dramatic rescue after about a decade in captivity. Ariel Castro, who pleaded guilty to more than 900 charges including rape and kidnapping and that following September was found dead in his cell in an apparent suicide at the beginning of a life sentence plus 1,000 years.
Today in 2013, the United States Senate passed a bill enabling taxing of online sales.