The Watts Riots in Los Angeles began in 1965 after a fight between police officers and a black man. It caused $81 million in damage, 40 deaths, and 34 injuries. Al Qaeda was founded in 1988, while Babe Ruth hit his 500th home run in 1929. The Mall of America opened in 1992, and the Mayan Long Count Calendar began in 3114 BC.
“Watt’s Riots” began in Los Angeles, California. (1965) The riots were the worst in Los Angeles history until the riots in 1992. The rioting began after two white police officers fought with a black man suspected of drunk driving. The rioting began as spectators watched the fight; the violence spread over an area of 50 kilometers and lasted for six days, causing more than US$81 million in damage. 40 people were killed and more than 34 were injured.
The SOS distress signal was used for the first time. (1909) The Arapahoe, an American vessel off the coast of North Carolina, suffered a broken mast while sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. Her distress signal was the first well-documented use of the SOS call.
The first civilian prisoners arrived at the US Federal Prison on Alcatraz. (1934) Alcatraz had previously held Civil War military prisoners. It operated for 29 years, holding famous prisoners like Al Capone. He is perhaps most famous for his history of zero successful prison breaks.
Al Qaeda is born. (1988) Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization run by Islamic militants. It is responsible for many civilian and military attacks, including the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Major League Baseball players have started the largest baseball strike in history. (1994) The strike, which lasted 232 days, led to the cancellation of the World Series; it was the first time the championship series had not been played since 1904.
350 million people saw the last solar eclipse of the 20th century. (1999) It was the first eclipse visible over England since 1927. As it passed over densely populated areas of Europe and Asia, it was the most observed solar eclipse in history.
A hurricane hit the US state of Louisiana, killing 400 people. (1856) A resort community called Isle Derniere was completely submerged when the waves killed hundreds of people.
Babe Ruth hit his 500th home run, becoming the first baseball player to do so. (1929) He finished his career in 1935 with 714 career home runs, still the third-best in Major League Baseball history.
A heat wave has killed 144 people in Paris, France. (2003) The temperature in Paris rose to a record 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius) during Europe’s hottest summer in more than 500 years.
The largest shopping mall in the United States opens. (1992) The Mall of America in Minnesota is still the largest mall in the United States in terms of the number of retail stores; it is now the second largest in terms of square footage. More than 40 million people shop at the mall every year.
The Mayan Long Count Calendar has begun. (3114 BC) A second long calendar cycle will conclude on December 21, 2012 — a date much anticipated by pessimists who believe the date signals the end of the world.
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