Nuremberg Trials began (1945) with 24 Nazi leaders tried for war crimes. My Lai Massacre photos published (1969), exposing US army atrocities. Microsoft Windows® 1.0 released (1985). New Jersey ratified Bill of Rights (1789). Zarya module launched for International Space Station (1998). Mexican Revolution began (1910). Three-position traffic light patented (1923). Sinking of the Essex inspired MoDick (1820). First birth control patch approved by FDA (2001).
The Nuremberg Trials began. (1945) An international military tribunal, the first of its kind, composed of members from France, the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union, began the trials of 24 leaders of the German Nazi party. They have been tried for war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace. The trial lasted almost a year; the sentence led to three acquittals, 12 death sentences and nine prison sentences of different lengths.
The Vietnam War graphic photos “My Lai Massacre” were published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper. (1969) The massacre, which took place on March 16, 1968, was committed by the US army against as many as 500 Vietnamese civilians of all ages and sexes. The photos stunned the American public and exposed the brutal atrocities that the US military initially tried to cover up. As many as 30 soldiers were involved in some way; 14 were charged and one, Constable William Calley, was convicted. Calley was sentenced to life in prison, but his sentence was later reduced, and he was released on parole in November 1974 after spending three years under house arrest.
Microsoft Windows® 1.0 has been released. (1985) The first edition used 16-bit graphics and offered a graphical user interface (GUI) with multi-tasking capabilities. The operating system was sold on floppy disks.
New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, becoming the first US state to do so. (1789) The Bill of Rights, which outlines the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, would not be fully ratified until December 15, 1791.
The United States and Russia have launched Zarya, the first piece of the International Space Station. (1998) This module was funded by NASA and built in Moscow at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The construction of the International Space Station continued for more than 10 years.
A court in Afghanistan has acquitted Osama bin Laden of charges related to the bombings of US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. (1998) The court ruled that he was “a man without sin.” Three years later, bin Laden would be responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
The Mexican Revolution begins. (1910) The Plan de San Luis Potosi was issued by revolutionary Francisco I. Madero, who would later become president of Mexico from 1911 to 1913. The plan called for the overthrow of the Mexican government and denounced incumbent president Porfirio Diaz. The revolution, which later turned into a civil war, would last about 10 years.
The three-position traffic light has been patented. (1923) American inventor Garrett Morgan obtained patent for traffic light which included a third option in addition to “stop” and “go”. His invention was a breakthrough in traffic safety.
The sinking of the ship that inspired MoDick took place. (1820) The whaling ship Essex had left Massachusetts on a sperm whale hunting expedition to gather bones and oil, precious raw materials at the time. An angry sperm whale attacked and sank the 238-ton (about 216,000 kg) vessel. All of the crew escaped the attack, but after an 83-day voyage in lifeboats, only five survived.
The world’s first birth control patch has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. (2001) It was the first form of hormonal contraception that could be administered through the skin. The first patch was manufactured by Ortho-Evra.
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