CAMILLE
BOHANNON

On this day in 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington erupts, causing
a massive avalanche and killing 57 people on this day in 1980. Ash
from the volcanic eruption fell as far away as Minnesota. Seismic
activity at Mount St. Helens, which is 96 miles south of Seattle,
began on March 16.

USGS geologist Don Swanson (in red) and his colleague, Jim
Moore, view a car filled with ash deposits from the eruption of
Mount St. Helens.

On this day in 1896, the U.S. Supreme court upheld the "separate but equal" policy in the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision. The ruling was overturned 58 years later with Brown vs. Board of Education.

Pope Saint John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła)
(May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005)

Pope John Paul was the second longest-serving pope
in history who was the leader of the Catholic Church
from 1978 to 2005. He was one of the most influential
leaders of the 20th century who worked to bring Jews,
Christians, and Muslims together. He was canonized
as a Saint in April of 2014.

Frank Russell Capra (Francesco Rosario Capra)
(May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991)

Capra became one of America’s most influential directors during
the 1930s, winning three Oscars from his six nominations as 
Best Director, along with three other Oscar wins from nine
nominations in other categories. Among his leading films
were It Happened One Night (1934), You Can’t Take It with You
(1938), and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington(1939); Capra was
nominated as Best Director and as producer for Academy
Award for Best Picture on all three films, winning both
awards on the first two.

1946

On this day in 2003, "Les Miserables" closed after 6,680 shows and
16 years on Broadway.

Les Misérables has been voted the greatest musical of all time in
a public poll conducted by a new online radio station dedicated
to musical theatre.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Mark Twain was lauded as the "greatest humorist this country has produced",
and William Faulkner called him "the father of American literature".

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) is 92 today.

The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year, her actual birthday on April
21 and her official birthday usually on the second Saturday in June. This
year that official birthday will fall on Saturday, June 9.

The musical "Annie" opened on Broadway on this day in 1977.

Opening night Curtain Call.

On this day in 1918, German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen,
"The Red Baron," was shot down and killed during World War I.

Some of the remains of Richthofen’s plane are inspected by British
officers and soldiers.

ED DONAHUE

The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK, was destroyed by a bomb on this day in 1995. It was the worst bombing
on U.S. territory. 168 people were killed including 19 children, and
500 were injured. Timothy McVeigh (below) was found guilty of the bombing on June 2, 1997.

The American Revolution began on this day in 1775 as fighting broke
out at Lexington, MA.

The Branch-Davidian’s compound in Waco, TX, burned to the ground
on this day in 1993. It was the end of a 51-day standoff between the
cult and U.S. federal agents. A total of 86 people were killed including
17 children. Nine of the Branch Davidians escaped the fire.

Cult leader David Koresh.

Actress Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco on this day in 1956.

The musical debuted on Broadway on this day in 2001.

ED DANAHUE

On this day in 1994, Civil war erupted in Rwanda between the
Patriotic Front rebel group and government soldiers. Hundreds
of thousands were slaughtered in the months that followed.

Aftermath of the Genocide.

Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947)

The first long-distance TV transmission was sent from Washington,
DC, to New York City on this day in 1927. The audience saw an image
of Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover (below).

On this day in 1949, the musical "South Pacific" by Rodgers and Hammerstein debuted on Broadway.

Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan) (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959)

Holiday, was a jazz musician and singer-songwriter with a career
spanning nearly thirty years. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend
and music partner Lester Young, she had a huge influence on jazz
music and pop singing.

MIKE GRACIA

It was on this day in 1968.

President Lyndon B. Johnson addresses the Nation, announcing
a bombing halt in Vietnam and his intention not to run for re-
election.

In Paris on this day in 1889, the Eiffel Tower officially opened.

On this day in 1943, "Oklahoma!" by Rodgers and Hammerstein
debuted on Broadway. The original title was "Away We Go."

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995)

Selena was killed by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar (below)
who had been fired for embezzlement.

Selena ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time
and is credited for catapulting a music genre into the mainstream
market.