Today in 1952, Jackie Robinson charged the NY Yankees with racism.
Today in 1954, Elizabeth Hodges of Alabama was taking a nap on her couch when she was hit on the arm by an 8 ½ pound meteorite that crashed through her roof. She and her landlady fought over the ownership of the meteorite and ended up in court. Eventually, Mrs. Hodges won the rights to the meteorite and was offered money for it, but chose to donate it to Alabama University, instead.
Today in 1974, the most complete early human skeleton (Lucy, Australopithecus) was discovered by Donald Johanson, Maurice Taieb, Yves Coppens and Tim White in the Middle Awash of Ethiopia's Afar Depression.
Today in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law requiring states to provide free education for handicapped children.
Today in 1993, President Clinton signed the Brady gun control bill into law.
Today in 1993, authorities in California arrested Richard Allen Davis, who confessed to abducting and slaying 12-year-old Polly Klaas of Petaluma. He was later sentenced to death for his crimes, and presently remains on California’s Death Row.
Today in 1996, the Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan scored his 25,000th career point against the San Antonio Spurs, 97-88.
Today in 2004, Longtime “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings of Salt Lake City, Utah finally lost to Nancy Zerg in his 75th appearance on the show. He walked away with $2,520,700, television's all-time biggest game show haul.
Today in 2007, Leeland Eisenberg entered the campaign office of Hillary Clinton in Rochester, New Hampshire with a device suspected of being a bomb and held three people hostage for five hours. He later served two-years in prison over the incident, and was released on parole…but has been in and out since.
Today in 2015, Pope Francis urged peace while visiting controversial mosque in Bangui's PK5 district in Central African Republic.
Today in 2017, Def Jam founder Russell Simmons stepped down from his companies after repeated allegations of sexual misconduct.
Today in 2018, Marriot Hotels revealed a massive data breach – with 500-million guests affected – in one of largest-ever company hacks.