Germany adopted the swastika as the Nazi symbol in 1935. Tanks were first used in warfare in 1916. Europe’s first free public school opened in 1616. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing occurred in 1963. Marilyn Monroe’s famous “skirt scene” was filmed in 1954. Zond 5 became the first spacecraft to circle the moon and return in 1968. The first intercontinental mail service began in the US in 1858. The NHL locked out players in 2004, canceling the season. Soviet leader Khrushchev visited the US in 1959 to improve agricultural production.
Germany adopted the swastika as its official Nazi symbol when the Nuremberg Laws went into effect. (1935) The Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of citizenship and made marriage between a Jew and a German illegal.
Tanks were first used in warfare. (1916) The British Army used about 40 tanks against Germany in the Battle of the Somme. The early machines weren’t very effective, as they were slow and kept breaking down.
Europe introduced its first free, non-aristocratic public school. (1616) St. Joseph Calasanzio started the school, in Frascati, Italy, open to all children.
One of the deadliest acts during the civil rights era in the United States took place. (1963) In Birmingham, Alabama, Robert Chambliss and several accomplices planted 15 sticks of dynamite in the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church, under the ladies’ room. When the dynamite went off, four little girls went to the bathroom and were killed; more than 20 other parishioners were injured. Chambliss was later tried and convicted of murder; he was sentenced to life in prison in 1977. Two of his accomplices were also later sentenced to life in prison.
The famous “skirt scene” with Marilyn Monroe in her white dress was filmed. (1954) During the filming of the movie, The Seven Year Itch, Monroe was filmed standing over a subway vent when her skirt flew up, causing her to laugh. The moment has become one of the most famous photos in history. Her husband, Joe DiMaggio, was not amused; the two divorced soon after the incident.
Zond 5 became the first spacecraft to successfully circle the moon and return through Earth’s atmosphere. (1968) The Soviets launched Zond 5 on this day and it returned safely to Earth on September 21. The craft carried the first animals into space: all survived the journey, although the turtles reportedly lost some weight.
The first intercontinental mail service began in the United States from St. Louis to San Francisco. (1858) Overland Mail Company delivery between cities took less than 25 days and was sent twice a week.
A new world speed record has been set. (1948) F-86 Saber fighter jet set new record, flying at 671 miles per hour (about 1,080 kilometers per hour).
The National Hockey League (NHL) owners locked out the players. (2004) Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, shut down operations and locked out players during union negotiations. The 2004-05 season was also cancelled. It was the first time in U.S. history that a professional sports season had been canceled due to work issues; it was also the first time since 1919 that the Stanley Cup had not been awarded.
A Soviet leader visits the United States for the first time. (1959) Nikita Khrushchev wanted to improve agricultural production in the Soviet Union and visited US agricultural schools, including Iowa State University.
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