Benjamin Franklin conducted electrical experiments, Saab released its first car, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded, the first class of the US Naval Academy graduated, Joe Nuxhall became the youngest major league baseball player, James Earl Ray escaped from prison, NASA launched the Spirit Rover to Mars, the last episode of The Sopranos aired, the first witch was hanged in Salem, Captain Cook ran his ship aground, Ray Charles died, Judy Garland was born, John Gotti died, and Alexander the Great died.
Benjamin Franklin flew his famous kite. (1752) Famous kite flying in a thunderstorm led Franklin to collect a small electric charge in a Leyden jar when the kite was struck by lightning. Franklin conducted electrical experiments for nearly 10 years and coined such familiar terms as battery, electrician, and conductor.
Saab has released its first car. (1947) The automobile company initially built airplanes for the Swedish Air Force during WWII. When the war ended, the company looked for another market. His first car was SAAB 92001, called Ursaab.
Alcoholics Anonymous is born. (1935) A New York broker, Bill Watson, and an Ohio physician, Dr. Robert Smith, founded the group to help those battling alcoholism.
The first class of the United States Naval Academy graduated. (1854) The Academy still produces Naval Officers today. Notable alumni of the Naval Academy include more than 50 U.S. astronauts, a U.S. president (Jimmy Carter), and two Nobel Prize winners.
Joe Nuxhall became the youngest major league baseball player in history. (1944) At just 15 years old, Nuxhall took the field playing for the Cincinnati Reds.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s killer has escaped from prison. (1977) James Earl Ray, who shot Dr. King on April 4, 1968, was captured three days later.
NASA has launched the Spirit Rover on a mission to Mars. (2003) The rover landed safely on Mars on January 4, 2004. It was quickly followed by its sister rover, Opportunity, which landed on the opposite side of the planet.
The last Sopranos episode aired. (2007) The popular HBO cable television series ended after six seasons. The show was the most financially successful cable television show in history. During its run, it won 21 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes.
The first witch was hanged during the Salem witch trials. (1692) Bridget Bishop was the first to be hanged after being found guilty of practicing witchcraft. In all, 13 other women and five men were hanged and one man was crushed to death, after being tried and convicted.
Captain Cook ran his barque Endeavor aground on the Great Barrier Reef. (1770) Captain James Cook was an English explorer noted for charting and mapping previously unexplored islands and coastlines, and was the first to map Newfoundland. His travels were delayed for seven weeks after the accident.
American musician Ray Charles has died. (2004) Charles died of liver cancer at the age of 73. A pioneer of soul, rhythm and blues and gospel music, he was listed at number 10 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list.
American actress Judy Garland was born. (1922) Born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the actress died at the age of 47 of an accidental drug overdose. She has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. Her most notable performance may be in the film The Wizard of Oz with Mickey Rooney.
Mobster John Gotti dies. (2002) A powerful organized crime figure, Gotti was the boss of the Gambino family. He was serving a life sentence on a variety of charges, including murder, extortion, racketeering and loansharking, when he died of cancer in prison. He was 62 years old.
Alexander the Great died. (323 BC) Alexander III of Macedon was the Greek king of Macedonia. Though his reign was only seven years, he built one of the greatest empires in ancient history and was known to be undefeated in battle. Some accounts date his death as June 11.
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