On this day in 1860, one man on horseback left St. Joseph MO, heading west while another rider left Sacramento CA heading east….thus officially launching the Pony Express. (For those keeping score, the one heading west won the race.) Even tho this mail service would last less than two years, it remains a huge part of American lore. More info about the history of the Pony Express is available here.
The earliest event that Wiki mentions for today is “1043 – Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England” while the latest is “2008 – ATA Airlines, once one of the 10 largest U.S. passenger airlines and largest charter airline, files for bankruptcy for the second time in 5 years and ceases all operations.“
Other events that happened on this day include:
1865 – The capital of the Confederate States of America is taken by Union forces.
1948 – President Truman signs the Marshall Plan.
1973 – The first cell phone call is made in New York City.
1974 – The largest amount of tornado activity in recorded history begins. Known as the “Super Outbreak”, there are 148 confirmed tornadoes scattered throughout 13 states within a 24 hour period. 315 people die and almost 5,500 are injured.
1996 – “Unabomber” is arrested.
2006 – The State Supreme Court of Iowa legalizes same-sex marriage.
Today’s birthdays include Picabo Street, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Murphy, David Hyde Pierce, Alec Baldwin, Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton, & Doris Day.