Today in 1376, the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin leading rats out of town is said to have occurred on this date…and that’s why today is known as Ratcatchers Day!
Today in 1933, aviator Wiley Post ended his first around-the-world flight. He traveled 15,596 miles in just over a week – 7-days, 18-hours and 45-minutes. His famous plane was called the "Winnie Mae."
Today in 1933, Caterina Jarboro became the first black prima donna of an opera company. She sang "Aida" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
Today in 1939, Jane Bolin became the first African American female judge in New York.
Today in 1934, FBI agents shot and killed gangster John Dillinger as he was leaving a movie theater in Chicago. His death ended a 14-month crime spree and the search for the FBI's "Most Wanted Man."
Today in 1937, the Senate rejected President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s proposal to enlarge Supreme Court, known then as the “court-packing plan.”
Today in 1975, the US House of Representatives voted to restore citizenship to General Robert E. Lee.
Today in 1990, American Greg Lemond won his third Tour de France title. He finished the event in 90-hours, 43-minutes and 20-seconds.
Today in 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested. Milwaukee police later found 11 skulls, 3 headless torsos sealed in a vat and other body parts in his apartment. Dahmer confessed to killing as many as 17 men, placing some of the remains in a filing cabinet, refrigerator, freezer and kettle. He dumped others into the trash bin.
Today in 1994, O.J. Simpson pleaded "absolutely, 100% not guilty" to charges that he murdered his ex-wife Nicole, and her friend Ron Goldman.
Today in 1995, Susan Smith was convicted by a jury in Union, South Carolina, of first-degree murder for drowning her two sons, three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander. She was later sentenced to life in prison.
Today in 1999, Woodstock ’99 began at Griffiss Park in Rome, New York. The event, which was supposed to celebrate the historic festival’s 30th anniversary, instead devolved into a total disaster of anger, destruction, and sexual assault.
Today in 2003, American forces attacked a compound in Iraq and killed Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay.
Today in 2009, the longest total solar eclipse in of the 21st century, which lasted up to 6-minutes and 38.8-seconds, occurred over Asia and parts of the Pacific Ocean.
Today in 2011, Norway was the victim of twin terror attacks, the first being a bomb blast, which targeted government buildings in central Oslo, the second being a massacre at a youth camp on the island of Utøya.
Today in 2018, President Donald Trump threatened Iran in an all-caps tweet of "consequences" in response to speech by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Today in 2019, President Donald Trump said the US could win war in Afghanistan in a week "I just don't want to kill 10 million people. If I wanted to win that war, Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the earth.”