An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in the Sunda Strait occurred from 20 May until 21 October 1883, peaking in the late morning hours of 27 August when over 70% of the island of Krakatoa and its surrounding archipelago were destroyed as it collapsed into a caldera.
After fire destroyed his well two months after it found oil along
Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, Edwin L. Drake rebuilt at the original
site. Drake, right, stands with his friend Peter Wilson of Titusville.
On January 10, 1901, a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near
Beaumont, Texas, produced an enormous gusher of crude oil, coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the advent of the American oil industry. The geyser was discovered at a depth of over 1,000 feet, flowed at an initial rate of almost 100,000 barrels a day and took nine days to cap. Following the discovery, petroleum, which until that time had been used in the U.S. primarily as a lubricant and in kerosene for lamps, would become the main fuel source for new inventions such as cars and airplanes; coal-powered forms of transportation including ships and trains would also convert to the liquid fuel.
A drilling crew takes a break atop Spindletop Hill in Beaumont, Texas.
One of the major disasters in 19th century around the world was the eruption of the volcano Krakatau in western Pacific Ocean, Indonesia.
The volcano erupted on this day in 1883 and killed thousand people on the other islands near it. The volcanic dust was thrown into the atmosphere and affected the weather around the world, and people as far away as Britain and the United States began to see bizarre red sunsets caused by particles in the atmosphere.
On this day in 1859, the first oil well was successfully drilled in the U.S. by Colonel Edwin L. Drake (below) near Titusville, PA.
Drake Well Museum in Titusville, PA is on the site where Edwin L. Drake drilled the world’s first oil well in 1859 and launched the modern petroleum industry.
It was on this day in 1979.
Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten was born Prince Louis of Battenberg (June 25, 1900 – August 27, 1979)
President John F. Kennedy (left) Meets with Lord Louis Mountbatten (center) in 1961. Mountbatten was Chief of the Defense Staff of the British Armed Forces at the time.
Brian Epstein was found dead in his home from an overdose of sleeping pills on this day in 1967. Epstein first discovered The Beatles in November 1961.
Brian Samuel Epstein (September 19, 1934 – August 27, 1967)
The first oil well was successfully drilled in the U.S. by Colonel Edwin L. Drake (right) near Titusville, PA. on this day in 1859.
On this day in 1979
Brian Samuel Epstein (September 19, 1934 – August 27, 1967)
Epstein died of an overdose of Carbitral, a form of barbiturate or sleeping pill, while in his locked bedroom. It was later revealed alcohol was also found in his system. His was discovered unresponsive by police who had been called by his housekeeper.
