The brightest supernova appeared (1006), Saigon fell to communist forces (1975), Hitler committed suicide (1945), the first federal prison for women opened (1927), George Washington’s inauguration took place (1789), hail the size of oranges fell in India (1888), the Louisiana Purchase was finalized (1803), Fairbanks and Pickford left their mark on Grauman’s Chinese Theater (1927), Hoover Dam was renamed for the second time (1947), Hawaii became a US territory (1900).
The brightest supernova in recorded history appeared. (1006) Astronomers from several continents have noted its appearance and it is thought to be the brightest stellar event in history.
Saigon was occupied by communist forces. (1975) After more than 20 years of fighting, South Vietnam surrendered on this day as North Vietnamese forces invaded Saigon, ending the Vietnam War.
Adolf Hitler committed suicide. (1945) Recognizing that the war was ending, Hitler had retreated to his Fuhrerbunker several months earlier. He and his new wife, Eva Braun, whom he married the day before, committed suicide on this day.
The first federal prison for women opens. (1927) The Federal Industrial Institution for Women opened in West Virginia as the first federal prison for women. Described as a “hip boarding school,” the prison focused on reforming inmates by teaching them agricultural and secretarial skills.
The first presidential inauguration in the United States took place. (1789) George Washington officially became the first president of the United States on this day in an inauguration ceremony in New York City, which was the first capital of the United States.
Hail the size of oranges has fallen in India. (1888) Storm came without warning, killing thousands of livestock and several hundred farmers. According to eyewitness accounts, the hail was 2 feet (over 60 cm) high in places.
The Louisiana Purchase has been finalized. (1803) The deal nearly doubled the size of the United States and was also an extremely lucrative deal: America obtained over 820,000 square miles (over 2 million square km) of land for less than $0.03 US dollars ( USD) per acre.
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford left their mark on the concrete of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. (1927) Fairbanks and Pickford were the first celebrities to intentionally put their footprints in the concrete outside the theatre, although the tradition is said to have been inspired by Norma Talmadge, a silent film mega star, who accidentally stepped on the wet concrete in the open day the theater.
Boulder Dam was renamed Hoover Dam for the second time. (1947) The order to build the dam never actually provided a name for it, so the dam went through several naming disputes. It was originally named Boulder Dam due to its location in Boulder Canyon, but was renamed in honor of President Herbert Hoover. As Hoover fell in popularity, it was renamed the Boulder Dam until it was finally officially renamed the Hoover Dam in 1947.
Hawaii has become a territory of the United States. (1900) A group of American businessmen had overthrown Hawaii’s traditional monarchy several months earlier and were running the island on their own, occasionally clashing diplomatically with the United States. The interim government finally allowed Hawaii to become a US territory after receiving guarantees that they would not be punished for the coup.
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