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)
ROSS SIMPSON
Country singer Willie Hugh Nelson is 86 today.
(Fox News) – A rare document signed by the president of the United States recognizing the Jewish State of Israel is up for sale, days ahead of Israeli Independence Day.
Before any other nation, President Harry S. Truman issued the historic
statement recognizing "the new State of Israel" dated May 14, 1948. But
he didn’t sign the official document until many years later.
Truman had a signed photocopy made after Zecharia Sitchin, chairman of
the American-Israel Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair held from 1964-
65, discussed with the president the "regretful fact" the official document
of recognition wasn’t signed. The Democratic president signed it then and
there and left it in the care of Sitchin, displayed at the Pavilion. It was also displayed at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and at a Zionist of America
event.
President Harry S. Truman is shown in the Oval Office on
July 9, 1948.
DAVID MELENDY
On this day in 1970, Apollo 13 returned to Earth safely after an on-
board accident with an oxygen tank.
The Apollo 13 crew following recovery.
SANDY KOZEL
On this day in 1912, the ocean liner Titanic sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg the evening before. 1,517 people died and
more than 700 people survived.
Lifeboat 6 from the Titanic, as it approached the Carpathian
on the morning of April 15, 1912.
On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died from injuries inflicted by John Wilkes Booth.
The above photograph was taken by Petersen House
boarder Julius Ulke shortly after the president died in
this bed. (Source: Chicago History Museum)
