Today in 1889, the first commercial moving-picture film was produced in Rochester, New York. George Eastman ”developed” Eastman Kodak film and cameras, but who or what as a Kodak? Nothing. One of the most widely recognized trademarks in the world was named because it had a unique sound that started with the letter K, and could be pronounced and spelled in almost any language.
Today in 1953, Jonas Salk announced his discovery of a new vaccine that would immunize people against polio.
Today in 1970, Peter Yarrow – of Peter, Paul & Mary fame – plead guilty to "taking immoral liberties" with a 14-year-old girl. He spent three-months in prison (of a one- to three-year sentence)…but was also pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1981.
Today in 1982, construction began on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Today in 1997, the bodies of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate techno-religious cult who'd committed suicide were found inside a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California. The group had committed suicide thinking that they would be picked up by a spaceship following behind the comet Hale-Bopp.
Today in 1999, the "Melissa" computer virus was first reported. About $80-million of damage was done in North America alone, with about $1.1-billion worldwide.
Today in 1999, Jack Kevorkian was convicted of second-degree murder in Pontiac, Michigan, for giving a patient with Lou Gehrig's disease a lethal injection. The action had been videotaped and broadcast on television.
Today in 2012, filmmaker James Cameron (you know, Mr. “Titanic” and “Avatar” and more?), became the first person in 50 years to visit Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth.
Today in2019, Purdue Pharma – the makers of Oxycontin – agreed to pay Oklahoma $270-million settlement ahead of a trial accusing the company of fueling the opioid epidemic.
Today in 2019, the Bertelsmann publishing house confirmed that Michelle Obama's biography "Becoming" had sold over 10-million copies in its first five months of release.