The American Revolution began with the “Shot Heard Round the World” in 1775. Other events include the Oklahoma City bombing, Marie Antoinette’s marriage, Pope Benedict XVI’s election, and The Simpsons’ debut.
The American Revolution began. (1775) “The Shot Heard Round the World” took place early in the morning in Lexington, Massachusetts, as 700 British soldiers clashed with 77 American soldiers. It was the beginning of seven years of conflict between the two countries which ultimately led to American independence.
The Oklahoma City bombing happened. (1995) The bombing was one of the most famous terrorist attacks in the United States in the 20th century. Domestic terrorists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were arrested and McVeigh was executed by lethal injection in the 20th.
Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI married by proxy. (1770) The marriage was the result of months of diplomatic exchanges, during which Antoinette even had to undergo oral surgery to be considered pretty enough for Louis. Her brother was the groom for the wedding; Antoinette met Louis only in May of the same year.
Pope Benedict XVI is elected. (2005) Benedict has been the longest-serving cardinal in the church since 1700 and is also the oldest pope to be elected; he was 78 when he ascended the papal throne.
The Branch Davidian complex in Waco burned down. (1993) The Davidians, an armed religious sect, had been in a 50-day standoff with federal agents. The leader, David Koresh, died in the fire, along with 80 other people.
Mae West was sentenced to prison for obscenity. (1927) West was a popular vaudeville comedian known for her risque puns. She was arrested after writing and performing in a play called Sex and sentenced to ten days in jail for “corrupting the morals of youth”.
The Simpsons debuted. (1987) The popular TV show began as an animated short on The Tracey Ullman Show, a 1980s variety show. It aired as a short for three years before being adapted into the 30-minute format and has since won dozens of awards, including being named TIME magazine’s best television show of the 20th century.
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising begins. (1943) The ghetto had been a refuge for the Jewish resistance, and matters reached a head when over 2,000 SS soldiers began attacking members of the resistance. The fighting went on for nearly a month before German forces burned down the entire ghetto.
Douglas MacArthur has retired. (1951) Having recently been relieved of his command by President Truman, MacArthur gave one of his most famous speeches to Congress, stating: “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.”
The first American embassy opens. (1782) Although Morocco was the first country to recognize US independence, the first embassy was in the Netherlands, where John Adams was the first ambassador.
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