Today in 1775, the American Revolution began with fighting in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.
Today in 1951, General Douglas MacArthur, relieved of his command by President Truman, bid farewell to Congress, quoting a line from a ballad – "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."
Today in 1956, Grace Kelly officially became Princess Grace of Monaco. While the civil marriage took place the day before, the actress from Philadelphia married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in a storybook religious service with more than 1,500 radio, TV, newspaper and magazine reporters from around the world on hand for the event in Monaco.
Today in 1982, astronaut Sally Ride became the first woman and astronaut Guion S. Bluford, Jr. became the first African-American to be chosen for U.S. Space Missions.
Today in 1993, David Koresh and nearly all of his followers died in a raging fire at Branch Davidian headquarters in Waco, Texas. Following a 51-day siege, the FBI tried to drive them out with tear gas. President Clinton and Attorney Janet Reno had approved the assault. The FBI called the deaths a “mass suicide” – the cause of the fire is still disputed.
Today in 1994, Rodney King was awarded $3.8-million from the city of Los Angeles for his 1991 beating by the police.
Today in 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was destroyed by a bomb estimated at 5,000 pounds. While it was the worst terrorist attack on American soil until the attacks of 9/11, it remains the worst bombing on U.S. soil. Our nation was in shock and the world cried with us. Timothy McVeigh was later charged with the terrorist murder of 168 people, including 19 children and a nurse injured in rescue efforts and on June 2, 1997, McVeigh was found guilty on 11 different counts, including several first-degree murder convictions for the deaths of federal officers. Terry L. Nichols, an Army buddy of McVeigh, was also convicted for his role. In December 2000, McVeigh asked a federal judge to stop all appeals of his convictions and to set a date for his execution. The request was granted, and on June 11th, 2001, McVeigh was put to death by lethal injection. Nichols remains in prison on 161 consecutive life terms.
Today in 2002, the USS Cole returned to duty after being bombed by terrorists in Yemen on October 12, 2000. 17 sailors were killed during the attack, which was blamed on Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network.
Today in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected on the second day of the Papal conclave.
Today in 2021, NASA successfully flew its drone helicopter Ingenuity on Mars, first powered aircraft to fly on another world.