Today in 1952,Ā Jackie RobinsonĀ charged the NY Yankees with racism.
Today in 1954,Ā Elizabeth Hodges of AlabamaĀ was taking a nap on her couch when she was hit on the arm by an 8 Ā½ pound meteoriteĀ 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,Ā the most complete early human skeleton (Lucy, Australopithecus) was discoveredĀ by Donald Johanson, Maurice Taieb, Yves Coppens and Tim White in the Middle Awash of Ethiopia's Afar Depression.
Today in 1975, President Gerald FordĀ signed a law requiring states to provide free educationĀ for handicapped children.
Today in 1993,Ā President ClintonĀ signed the Brady gun control bill into law.
Today in 1993,Ā authorities in CaliforniaĀ arrested Richard Allen Davis,Ā who confessed to abducting and slaying 12-year-old Polly Klaas of Petaluma. He was later sentenced to death for his crimes,Ā and presently remains on Californiaās Death Row.
Today in 1996,Ā the Chicago Bulls' Michael JordanĀ scored his 25,000th career pointĀ against the San Antonio Spurs, 97-88.
Today in 2004,Ā Longtime āJeopardy!ā champion Ken Jennings of Salt Lake City, UtahĀ finally lost to Nancy Zerg in his 75thĀ appearance on the show. He walked away with $2,520,700, television's all-time biggest game show haul.
Today in 2007,Ā Leeland EisenbergĀ 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 paroleā¦but has been in and out since.
Today in 2015,Ā Pope FrancisĀ urged peace while visiting controversial mosqueĀ in Bangui's PK5 district in Central African Republic.
Today in 2017, Def Jam founder Russell SimmonsĀ stepped down from his companies after repeated allegationsĀ of sexual misconduct.
Today in 2018,Ā Marriot HotelsĀ revealed a massive data breachĀ ā with 500-million guests affected ā in one of largest-ever company hacks.