Today in 1943, General George Patton called an injured soldier "cowardly" – and slapped him. His problem? Private Paul Bennett, who had been evacuated against his will, admitted that he “can’t stand the shelling anymore.” What Patton ACTUALLY said? “You're going back to the front lines and you may get shot and killed, but you're going to fight. If you don't, I'll stand you up against a wall and have a firing squad kill you on purpose. In fact, I ought to shoot you myself, you goddamned whimpering coward.” That wasn’t the only slapping incident, of course. And while there were complaints about his behavior, it wasn’t until President Eisenhower found out that Patton apologized to his soldiers…by force.
Today in 1969, members of Charles Manson's cult murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in their Los Angeles home. It was just one day after Sharon Tate and four others were slain.
Today in 1977, postal employee David Berkowitz was arrested in Yonkers, New York, and accused of being the "Son of Sam," a gunman whose yearlong series of six slayings had terrorized New Yorkers.
Today in 1985, Michael Jackson bought ATV Music (every Beatle song) for $47-million. The move infamously destroyed his friendship with Paul McCartney.
Today in 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the U.S. Supreme Court's 107th justice, and second woman.
Today in 1995, Norma McCorvey, "Jane Roe" of the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, announced she had joined the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue.
Today in 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were indicted on 11 counts in the April 19th bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. They later pled innocent. Michael Fortier was charged with four lesser offenses and pleaded guilty in a plea-bargain agreement that required him to testify for the prosecution.
Today in 2014, Unrest broke out in Ferguson, Missouri after the death of African American Michael Brown by a policeman.
Today in 2017, President Donald Trump declared opioid addiction a national emergency.
Today in 2019, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead of an apparent suicide in his jail cell in New York, while awaiting trail for sex trafficking charges. To date, his infamous “black book – and more importantly, the famous names in it – haven’t been released.
Today in 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned amid his sexual harassment scandal.