Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union on this day in 1960. Powers (below) was taken prisoner.
The charred wreckage of U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane is shown on display at the Central Armed Forces Museum in Moscow, April 30, 2010. (AP)
On this day in 1970, an oxygen tank exploded on Apollo 13, which prevented the planned moon landing.
Artists painting showing the explosion on board Apollo 13.
The repair dubbed the "mail box" that saved the Apollo 13 astronauts. After an oxygen tank exploded, the three men had to retreat to the Lunar Module and use duct tape, along with plastic plastic bags and lithium hydroxide canisters to build a makeshift CO2 scrubber.
On this day in 1770, a deadly riot called "The Boston Massacre" took place on King Street in Boston. It began as a street brawl between American colonists and a lone British soldier, but quickly escalated to a chaotic, bloody slaughter killing five people. Two British troops were later convicted of manslaughter. The conflict energized anti- Britain sentiment and paved the way for the American Revolution.
Boston Massacre Site Memorial, on the Freedom Trail behind the Old State House.
On this day in 1963, country music performers Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in the crash of their plane, a Piper Comanche, near Camden, Tennessee, along with pilot Randy Hughes (Cline’s manager). The investigation determined that Hughes, a non-instrument-rated pilot, attempted visual flight in adverse weather conditions, resulting in disorientation and subsequent loss of control.
A Piper Comanche PA-24-180, similar to the one that crashed.
(NOTE) Holly’s mother and his widow both learned he had died from the news. Ever since, police departments have made it a policy not to release a victim’s name until their family has been notified.
A 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza (Model 35), similar to the aircraft that crashed.
Gull Avenue, Crash site is located west of intersection of 315th Street and Gull Avenue., Clear Lake, IA.
Former KGW radio D.J. Red Robinson (left) and Buddy Holly.
On this day in 2003, NASA’s space shuttle Columbia exploded while re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. All seven astronauts on board were killed.
Helmet found in a field after the space shuttle Columbia disaster.
Memorial at the Columbia Debris Site.
During the Vietnam War on this day in 1968, South Vietnamese National Police Chief Brig. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Loan executed a Viet Cong officer with a pistol shot to the head. The scene was captured in a news photograph shown above.
Vietcong officer Nguyen Van Lem minutes prior to his execution.