ROSS SIMPSON
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)
CARLATA BRADLEY
On this day in 1962, the Soviet Union exchanged captured U.S.
U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers (left) for the Soviet spy Rudolph
Ivanovich Abel (right) being held by the United States.
The Glienicke bridge just after the Powers swap.
CARLATA BRADLEY
The Beirut barracks bombing was a terrorist attack that occurred on
this day in 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War. It
involved two truck bombs striking buildings housing Multinational
Force in Lebanon (MNF) peacekeepers, specifically against United
States and French service members, killing 241 U.S. and 58 French peacekeepers, 6 civilians and the 2 suicide attackers. A group
called Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombings
and said that the attacks were to get the MNF out of Lebanon.
President Ronald Reagan, first lady Nancy Reagan and Marine Commandant P.X. Kelley honor those killed in Beirut during a
Nov. 5, 1983, memorial service.
On this day in 1973, President Richard M. Nixon agreed to turn over
the subpoenaed White House tapes concerning the Watergate affair
to Judge Sirica and the House Judiciary Committee.
.
Richard Nixon leaves the White House following his resignation over
the Watergate scandal.
MIKE GRACIA
On this day in 1962, United States President Kennedy went on radio
and television to inform the United States about his order to send U.S.forces to blockade Cuba. The blockade was in response to the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the island.
On this day in 1979, the ousted Shah of Iran, Mohammad Riza
Pahlavi was allowed into the U.S. for, what was called, life-
saving medical treatment, a decision made by then President
Jimmy Carter. This was one of the most controversial decisions
of post-World War Two foreign policy.
President Carter (left) raising a toast to the ousted Shah of Iran.
Admitting the deposed Shah of Iran to the U.S.triggered the Iranian hostage crisis, effecting American-Iranian relations.
A man holds a sign during a protest of the crisis in Washington, D.C..
CAMILLE BOHANNON
On this day in 1984, President Ronald Reagan was preparing for his weekly radio broadcast when, during testing of the microphone, the President said of the Soviet Union, "My fellow Americans, I am
pleased to tell you that I just signed legislation that would outlaw
Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
In Bloomington, MN, the Mall of America opened on this day in 1992. It
was the largest shopping mall in the United States.
