Wild Bill Hickok threatens the friends of Davis Tutt after defeating Tutt in a duel.
In what may be the first true western showdown on this day in 1865, Wild Bill Hickok shoots Dave Tutt dead in the market square of Springfield, Missouri.
Hollywood movies and dime novels notwithstanding, the classic western showdown–also called a walkdown–happened only rarely in the American West. Rather than coolly confronting each other on a dusty street in a deadly game of quick draw, most men began shooting at each other in drunken brawls or spontaneous arguments. Ambushes and cowardly attacks were far more common than noble showdowns.
The first story of the shootout was detailed in an article in Harper’s Magazine in 1867, making Hickok a household name and folk hero.
On this day in 2001, President George W. Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act, an anti-terrorism law drawn up in response to the 9/11 attacks. Its intent, in Bush’s words, is to “enhance the penalties that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps them.”
The "Gunfight at the OK Corral" took place in Tombstone, AZ. The fight was between Wyatt Earp, his two brothers and Doc Holiday and the Ike Clanton Gang. It occurred around 3pm on the afternoon of Wednesday 26 October 1881 and only lasted about 30 seconds.
KILLED IN GUNFIGHT AT OK CORRAL PHOTO (LEFT TO RIGHT) TOM & FRANK MCLAURY BILLY CLANTON.
The Pentagon reported the first of two North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin on this day in 1964. The attack sparks escalation of the Vietnam War.
The guided missile destroyer USS McCormick is fired upon by North Vietnamese shore batteries.
Iraq invaded the oil-rich country of Kuwait on this day in 1990. Iraq claimed that Kuwait had driven down oil prices when it exceeded production quotas set by OPEC. Saddam Hussein became the President of Iraq.
Toppling the statue of Saddam Hussein during the invasion of Iraq.
Lieutenant John F. Kennedy’s encounter with a Japanese destroyer on the night of August 1, 1943, may be the most famous small-craft engagement in naval history. The vessel sank on this day in 1943.
Future U.S. President Lieutenant John F. Kennedy aboard the PT-109.
It was on this day in 1923.
Warren Gamaliel Harding(November 2, 1865 – August 2, 1923)
James Butler Hickok(May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876)
The card hand held by Hickok at his death, now widely known as the "dead man’s hand".
Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall on this day in 1876.
Jack McCall (1852 or 1853 – March 1, 1877) was also known as "Crooked Nose" or "Broken Nose Jack".