Today in 1851, Linus Yale of Newport, New York, received a patent for the clock-type lock. Yale locks are among the top brands of security devices sold today.
Today in 1937, the "Hindenburg" exploded while trying to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey and 35 of the 97 passengers aboard were killed, along with one crewmember. Fortunately (and miraculously), 62 survived. Ironically, hydrogen-filled German dirigible wasn’t new technology. In fact, commercial zeppelins had flown for more than 30 years of passenger travel on more than 2-thousand flights with tens of thousands of passengers being flown over a million miles, without a single injury. But with the Hindenberg loss, that kind of commercial travel was essentially abandoned.
Today in 1954, British runner Roger Banister broke the four-minute mile.
Today in 1956,Jim Bailey became the first runner to break the four-minute mile in the U.S. He was clocked at 3:58.5.
Today in 1994, former Arkansas state worker Paula Jones filed suit against President Clinton alleging that he had sexually harassed her in 1991. They ultimately settled.
Today in 2004, the series finale of “Friends” aired. It was watched by 52.46-million viewers, making it the fifth most watched television series finale in U.S. history.
Today in 2008, 96 people were arrested after a drug raid as part of Operation Sudden Fall. It was the largest campus drug bust in San Diego County history – and the most shocking – as most of those arrested (75) were students from San Diego University who were members of fraternities involved in an organized drug ring. Police found firearms, money, more than four pounds of cocaine, and over 50-pounds of marijuana. The investigation lasted a year and was conducted by undercover drug enforcement administration agents.
Today in 2013, the “Cleveland Three” were discovered and released from a home in the city. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, who vanished separately between 2002 and 2004, were freed in a dramatic rescue after about a decade in captivity. Ariel Castro, who pleaded guilty to more than 900 charges including rape and kidnapping and that following September was found dead in his cell in an apparent suicide at the beginning of a life sentence plus 1,000 years.
Today in 2013, the United States Senate passed a bill enabling taxing of online sales.