The US hockey team won the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, Spain sold Florida to the US in 1819, Woolworth’s opened in 1879, the Battle of Fishguard began in 1797, Galileo published “Dialogue on the two main systems of the world” in 1632, a gang stole £53m in 2006, Suharto seized power in Indonesia in 1967, there was a failed assassination attempt on President Nixon in 1974, the Battle of Buena Vista began in 1847, and Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in 1892.
The United States hockey team has achieved the “Miracle on Ice”. (1980) On this day, the US Olympic hockey team had a big upset victory over the USSR team in the Winter Olympics and two days later won the gold medal for ice hockey. It is remembered by many as one of the high points of American participation in the Olympics.
Spain sold Florida to the United States. (1819) Spain sold Florida to the United States in the Adams-Onis Treaty for $5 million US Dollars (USD). The treaty also created a new border line between America and Mexico, which was then Spanish territory
The first Woolworth’s opened. (1879) Classic American Five Cent Store Opens with $300 USD Loan. It quickly became one of the fastest growing retail chains in the world, although it declined in the second half of the 20th century. It later became the Venator company, and then Foot Locker, a sportswear and shoe store.
The latest invasion of Great Britain began. (1797) The Battle of Fishguard started what is known as “the last invasion of Britain”, as it was the last time a foreign power landed on British soil, although there were further attacks on Ireland. French forces landed in Wales but were eventually repulsed by a combination of civilian and military forces.
Galileo has published “Dialogue on the two main systems of the world”. (1632) The book discussed the possibility that the Earth actually revolved around the Sun, rather than the other way around, as was believed at the time. Galileo was eventually sentenced to life imprisonment for heresy for his writings and the “Dialogue” was banned until 1835.
A gang of six men committed one of the biggest robberies in history. (2006) Six men stole more than 53 million British pounds (about $80 million USD) in bank notes from a bank deposit in Great Britain. More than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the case, but no one has been convicted.
Suharto seized power in Indonesia. (1967) Suharto had been a prominent military leader in Indonesia, and even saved President Sukarno from a coup, but then ousted him himself. Although he stabilized the nation and oversaw a period of relative prosperity, he was often criticized for his harsh and repressive methods.
A failed assassination attempt on President Nixon took place. (1974) Samuel Joseph Byck, an unemployed tire salesman, attempted to hijack a plane and crash it into the White House to kill President Nixon. When the police stormed the plane, he committed suicide. No one else was hurt and Nixon was not hit.
The Battle of Buena Vista begins. (1847) This was a turning battle in the Mexican-American War, and 5,000 US soldiers stopped 15,000 Mexicans. It was also a political starting point for the American general, Zachary Taylor, who became president.
Edna St. Vincent Millay was born. (1892) Known for her wild and glamorous lifestyle, Millay was New York’s crazed poet before she became popular. She was one of the first women to write openly about her lovers, and she was also the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize.
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