The Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 and later became the US national anthem. OPEC was founded in 1960, the Gregorian calendar was adopted by the British Empire in 1752, and the MLB season was cancelled due to a strike in 1994. Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized as the first American-born Catholic saint in 1975. The “Fire of Moscow” began in 1812, and Joe Kittinger flew alone across the Atlantic in a hot air balloon in 1984. Construction began on the United Nations headquarters in 1948, and the Toronto Blue Jays set the MLB record for most home runs in a single game in 1987. Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest US president in history in 1901.
The poem Star Spangled Banner has been written. (1814) The poem was written by Francis Scott Key, who was inspired after seeing a War of 1812 battle in Maryland at Fort McHenry. The poem itself was called Defense of Fort McHenry; it later became the US national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is founded. (1960) OPEC is a group of 12 major oil exporting countries in the world, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Algeria. Its headquarters are located in Vienna, Austria.
The British Empire adopted the Gregorian calendar and lost 11 days. (1752) The Gregorian calendar is now used internationally. It was suggested by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 because the time between the equinoxes is 11 minutes shorter than in the Julian calendar. In the Julian calendar, Easter continued to anticipate the year because the day celebrated was linked to the equinox.
The Major League Baseball strike caused the season to be cancelled. (1994) The strike, which began on August 12, lasted 232 days at the end. It caused the World Series to be canceled for the first time since 1904.
The first American-born Catholic saint has been canonized. (1975) Pope Paul VI canonized Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Vatican. Seton founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph and provided free education for poor children.
The “Fire of Moscow” began. (1812) Most of the Russian residents and troops had fled the city upon Napoleon’s arrival with his troops. The fire started on the orders of Count Rostopchin to burn everything that Napoleon’s army could find useful. The fire burned for four days, destroying much of the city: 122 churches, more than 8,000 shops and nearly 6,500 homes.
The first person flew alone across the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon. (1984) Joe Kittinger, a United States Air Force pilot, flew across the Atlantic in a Balloon of Peace in four days, starting his journey on this day. Kittinger also holds the records for fastest, longest, and highest skydive.
Construction began on the United Nations headquarters. (1948) The World Peacekeeping Organization is headquartered in New York City. It has over 190 member countries.
The MLB record for most home runs in a single game was set by the Toronto Blue Jays. (1987) The Blue Jays hit an impressive 10 home runs in a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest president of the United States in history when President McKinley died. (1901) Eight days earlier, President McKinley had been killed by an assassin. When he died of his wounds, his vice president, Theodore Roosevelt, assumed office at age 42. John F. Kennedy was the second youngest American president; he was 43 when it was inaugurated.
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