Yosemite National Park established in 1890, Nuremberg Trials convict 24 war criminals in 1946, Free Speech Movement protests at University of California in 1964, Gorbachev becomes leader of Soviet Union in 1988, first compact disc player goes on sale in 1982, NASA established in 1958, Mensa International founded in 1946, Polly Klass kidnapping leads to “Three Strikes” law in 1993, Edison Lamp Works opens in 1880, News of the World newspaper prints first edition in 1843, Spain gives Louisiana to France in 1800, first Model-T automobiles sold in 1908, first MLB World Series begins in 1903, Roger Maris breaks Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1961, Stanford University opens in 1891.
Yosemite National Park was born. (1890) The national park, located in California, covers 761,268 acres (about 3,080 square kilometers). Today more than three million people visit the park every year.
The sentences were handed down at the Nuremberg Trials. (1946) The “Major War Criminals Trial” convicted 24 of the worst criminals for acts committed during World War II. 12 defendants were sentenced to death, three were acquitted and the rest were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
University of California students have started the “Free Speech Movement” protest. (1964) The protest was an unprecedented student uprising. They argued that Berkeley should have allowed political activity on campus and that not allowing it would violate their rights to free speech. The university finally relented: Policies were put in place in January allowing students to engage in political activity on campus.
Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union. (1988) Gorbachev ousted previous leader, Andrei Gromyko, and declared himself in charge. This event was an important precursor to ending the “Cold War”.
The world’s first compact disc player went on sale. (1982) Initially, Sony launched the large tabletop gamer only in Japan; the system became available worldwide the following March.
NASA has started operations. (1958) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established to replace the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which had been established in 1915.
Mensa International is born. (1946) Founded in the UK, Mensa is a non-profit organization for the world’s highest IQ testers.
The kidnapping that inspired California’s “Three Strikes” law occurred. (1993) Polly Klass was kidnapped and later murdered by Richard Allen Davis, who was a habitual offender and had already been sentenced to 16 years in prison, but was released on early parole. His subsequent murder conviction and lobbying by Polly’s father led to the “Three Strikes” rule, which included automatic life in prison for three felony counts.
The first factory to build electric lamps is opened. (1880) Thomas Edison opened the Edison Lamp Works with his assistant William J. Hammer. In its first year, the factory produced 50,000 lamps.
The News of the World printed its first edition. (1843) London newspaper was one of the first published for the literate working commuters of London, with sensational and shocking news and coverage of criminal activity. Today it is one of the oldest newspapers in the world and the second best-selling newspaper in the UK.
In a secret treaty, Spain gave Louisiana to France. (1800) The “Third Treaty of San Ildefonso” was negotiated and signed under a veil of secrecy by Napoleon’s Chief of Staff, Louis Alexandre Berthier, and Don Mariano Luis de Urquijo, Secretary of State of Spain. Louisiana was ceded to the United States in March 1804.
The first Model-T automobiles went on sale. (1908) Ford Motor Company sold what is billed as America’s first economy car for $825 US Dollars (USD) – approximately $18,000 USD in 2010.
The first Major League Baseball World Series begins. (1903) In the first series, the Boston American League defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a best-of-nine series. The game is now played in a best-of-seven series.
Babe Ruth’s Major League Baseball home run record of 34 years has been broken. (1961) Roger Maris broke the record playing for the New York Yankees when he hit the number 61 home run.
Stanford University in California has started its first semester. (1891) Stanford was founded by a railroad magnate named Leland Stanford to honor his son. The first class started with 15 teachers and 559 students. Today, more than 19,000 students study with approximately 2,000 teachers each year at the university.
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